December Stillness [Import]

I highly recommend this recording - as other reviewers have said, it's worth playing all year round (in New Zealand, the stillness is in July anyway - not December!).

It's hard to choose favorites from such a line-up, but the vocal and artistic highlight for me is Penderecki's "Song of Cherubim" - an absolutely stunning piece sung with the precision that is one of the hallmarks of this group. Alf Houkom's "The Rune of Hospitality" has a gorgeous melody that resonated in my head for days afterward. I also like Trond Kverno's magnificent "Corpus Christi Carol," and Stephen Paulus's quietly moving "Evensong." But every single track is a gem, and throughout the program, this remarkable group demonstrates impeccable technique and ensemble unity.

American Choral Classics has done this project justice with sound of crystal clarity and presence. When coupled with such artistry, the result is one of the finest choral recordings I have ever heard.

Don't be deterred by the "holiday" nature of the collection. The music and the performances are of such a high caliber, you'll want to listen to it year-round.

As a former student of Dr. Alf S. Houkom, composer of "The Rune of Hospitality" (found on this recording), and a choral conductor myself, I rejoiced in the knowledge that this work, and others like it, are finally getting the exposure, as well as the professional treatment, that they so richly deserve. Bravo, Mr. Warland, and thank you for the gift of this album. This is truly in the spirit of the season.