CD Reviews

Gentle Words: Shaker Songs arranged by Kevin Siegfried

The Tudor Choir
Loft Recordings

It’s nice to see that some of America’s early music has caught the attention of recording labels lately. This new recording by the excellent but little-known Tudor Choir is a stunning addition to the repertoire and a midyear candidate for my 2001 Want List.

This recording triumphs on every level. Doug Fullington’s Tudor Choir boasts a lush tonal quality that produces results reminiscent of what the Tallis Scholars achieved in Renaissance polyphony. In addition to the unison pieces, Gentle Words benefits from the marvelous arrangements of Kevin Siegfried (some of which are now published by Earthsongs). The Tudor Choir offers a polished view of the music where every note is perfectly sounded and every phrase is lovingly shaped. Siegfried’s excellent liner notes point out that his goal in arranging the songs was “to make them accessible and useful in modern worship and concert settings, I have attempted to maintain the simplicity and directness of the original, unison melodies, with an emphasis on unison singing and antiphonal performance.” Siegfried has succeeded, and I think the quality of the arrangements, performances, and packaging make this a recording that breaks out of the specialist market. Gentle Words features 28 Shaker songs from communities that were based in six different states. One of the oldest songs is In Yonder Valley, attributed to Father James Whittaker, one of the original Shakers who traveled to America with Mother Ann Lee. The song’s joyous text is typical of the idealistic spirit that moved the Shakers in their early days in America. O Lord Make Me Pure is a good example of Shaker visionary repertoire, songs that were received as “gifts” from above. The song moves from English to “spirit language,” a fairly common occurrence in this repertoire. The choir shows off some of its fine soloists in Heavenly Display, a song “given by inspiration.” Siegfried’s arrangement is superb, with thrilling exchanges between soloists and full choir.

Harvest Home

The Dale Warland Singers
Gothic Records

If you remember a time when truth, in all areas of life, was a virtue, when personal responsibility was the rule, when everyone, young and old, knew the old hymns and songs of faith and communal fellowship, then you will appreciate the sentiments expressed by many of the pieces on this fine disc, one of the last CDs from the Dale Warland Singers before the group's "retirement" in May, 2004. Although the program certainly is appropriate as a tribute to the revered place of home and family in the traditional North American celebration of Thanksgiving, it also stands as a well-chosen compilation of some of the more beloved old American hymns—especially Shaker tunes—and spirituals, spiced with a few folk songs such as Emma Lou Diemer's spiffy arrangement of She'll be comin' round the mountain and Carol Barnett's equally lively version of Cindy.

The arrangements, by some of the finest in the business, are excellent, and that is one reason choral fans will enjoy this disc. The other reason is the typically outstanding ensemble singing—highlighted by lovely legatos and unisons (listen to the opening bars of Kevin Siegfried's Peace)—and by consistently sensitive sectional and group balances. From the opening Beautiful River, by Rev. Robert Lowry, to William Hawley's touching setting of the Shaker hymn Not one sparrow is forgotten, to Siegfried's Lay me low (another Shaker tune), this is as satisfying and uplifting a choral program as you're likely to hear in this repertoire. Stephen Paulus is well represented (his The Old Church is especially affecting), as are Carol Barnett and Warland himself, whose setting of Simple Gifts is the embodiment of simplicity and beauty. The sound perfectly complements this superb choir. Warmly recommended.

— David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com

Simple Gifts

The Tudor Choir
Gothic Records

The singing from this chamber choir from the Pacific Northwest is as graceful and unpretentious as the music. Once again, it’s the simple gifts that turn out to be the pearls of greatest price.

—The American Record Guide