O Rising Dawn

Music for Advent & Christmas

Recorded in the stunning acoustic of Seattle’s St. James Cathedral, our first CD features Gerald Finzi’s “Magnificat” with Cathedral Organist Joseph Adam, music by Howells, Tavener, Herbolsheimer and the world premiere recording of John Muehleisen’s “Great ‘O’ Antiphons.”

Opus 7 has commissioned several works from award-winning Northwest composer John Muehleisen. The ‘O’ antiphons, seven medieval chants for Advent, are paired with Muehleisen’s compelling settings in English — written specifically for St. James Cathedral’s remarkable acoustic.
Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble
Loren W. Pontén, conductor
Joseph Adam, organ

Peter WISHART (1921-1984)

“Alleluya, a new work is come on hand” from “Three Carols”

Hugo DISTLER (1908-1942)

“Lo, how a rose e’er blooming” and “This Flower whose fragrance tender” from Christmas Story

Zoltán KODÁLY (1882-1967)

Veni, veni Emmanuel

Egil HOVLAND (b.1924)

The Glory of the Father

C. Hubert H. PARRY (1848-1918)

“My Soul, there Is a Countrie” from Songs of Farewell

chant / John MUEHLEISEN (b.1955)

The Great “O” Antiphons

Gerald FINZI (1901-1956)

Magnificat, Op. 36

Lajos BÁRDOS (b.1899)

Dormi, fili care

John TAVENER (b.1944)

The Lamb

Herbert HOWELLS (1892-1983)

Sing Lullaby

arr. Bern HERBOLSHEIMER (b. 1948)

Once in Royal David’s City

Charles IVES (1874-1954)

A Christmas Carol

Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976)

“Theme – ‘A Boy was Born’” from A Boy was Born

Gerald FINZI (1901-1956)

All this Night

arr. Alan RIDOUT (b. 1934-96)

Silent Night

Praise for O Rising Dawn:

“The excellent Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble, whose recordings on the Loft label demonstrate their smooth blend and musicianship under the direction of Loren Pontén.”―Seattle Times, December 9, 1999

“Recorded in St. James Cathedral, this excellent holiday disc includes artful, high quality arrangements and originals by Distler, Kodály, Howells, Ives, Britten, Finzi and several others, with Loren Pontén leading the very fine and musical chorus Opus 7. Of particular interest here is John Muehleisen’s “The Great ‘O’ Antiphons,” imaginatively harmonized and beautifully realized in these performances.”―Melinda Bargreen, Seattle Times, December 12, 1999

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