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O Magnum Mysterium
Availability:
In Stock
Price:
$17.98
$9.90*
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| Part No: | B00004WFLW |
| Manufacturer: | Telarc |
| MFG Part: | |
| Customer Rating: | 5.0 / 5.0 |
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The trademark qualities of a Robert Shaw-trained chorus included perfect tonal blend and balance, expressive phrasing, and superb tuning. As an interpreter, Shaw hewed to the middle road, steering clear of eccentricities and honoring the composer's intentions. On this tribute disc, we hear these virtues coalesce in works such as Poulenc's austere Christmas hymn "O magnum mysterium," one of three settings of the text here. Shaw was at his best in works whose fervent spirituality he shared, and the selection from Rachmaninov's Vespers, with its repeated alleluias, is a highlight, both radiant and passionate. But then, virtually everything here is a highlight: the Schubert part song done to a turn with soft singing projected in rounded tones; the curve of "Wondrous Love"'s melody perfectly traced; and "Amazing Grace" in Shaw's arrangement all the more moving for its calm dignity. The longest piece, Górecki's Marian hymn "Totus tuus," is otherworldly in an enthralled reading that never loses focus. Like all of Shaw's Telarc recordings, the sonics are first-class.
--Dan Davis
| Musical Masterpiece | 2010-01-07 | 5 / 5 |
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| Portions of this magnificent work can be heard in the final scene from Angels and Demons-The movie. The Lux Aeterna is to date a modern masterpiece. It will move you imensely as does the Brahams German Requiem-especially the second movement. You will listen to this piece frequently as it is timeless. A must have for any choral requiem collector. As powerful as the Verde Requiem, As stirring as the Brahams, as memorable as the Motzart. I promise. |
| Wise purchase | 2009-01-25 | 5 / 5 |
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| I am very happy about this purchase. The recording was of very good quality, and the music is gorgeous, ethereal!! It is music to soothe the soul and mind. |
| very beautiful and relaxing | 2008-06-27 | 5 / 5 |
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| Very soothing and relaxing. I bought this tape specifically for the recording of O Magnum Mysterium after hearing the song at a concert, but the other music is fantastic too. Instant relaxation. |
| fabulous music | 2008-05-24 | 5 / 5 |
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| Shaw is the master! I purchased this and his Vespers album after buying Vespers performed by two other noted chorales, Shaw's rendition on all of the classic chorale pieces is full of the passion and interpretation I have been searching for! |
| A great mix of material | 2007-11-22 | 5 / 5 |
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| I wasn't sure about buying this CD at first; it seemed like a very ecclectic mix of material. However, upon a first playing, it is a very soothing disc full of great material. The unreleased tracks are a rare treat, showcasing some early music which Shaw rarely recorded. While these versions may not be 100% accurate to early performance practice, they are still very attractive in their own mysterious way, and Shaw does a good job bringing out the various colors and textures associated with early music. Another unreleased track is the Rachmaninoff "Khvalite imya Gospodne". The fact that this is an alternate take is not made clear by the Cd cover, so you have to read the liner notes. When Shaw was recording this movement, a church bell started to ring in the exact same key right at the end of the piece perfectly in time, almost as if it was planned that way. You can barely hear it, but it is quite magical. The other tracks on this disc are previously released from other Cd's, and they are all quite good, perhaps with the exception of the Schubert piece. The Gorecki "Totus Tuus" is quite beautiful and is performed very well, but it doesn't do much for me personally. The same musical ideas get repeated over and over in the piece, and it doesn't seem to go anywhere. This is just a personal opinion, and if you like it a lot than enjoy it. I would reccomend this disc to all Robert Shaw fans, as this is a great tribute disc to one of the greatest choral masters of all time. |
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