Diamonds

– 2003

This record contains a selection of the foremost music for male-voice choir composed over the last 100 years: music by the most important composers of the 20th century such as Richard Strauss and Francis Poulenc jostles with that of lesser-known composers, such as the American Randall Thompson and the Japanese Michio Mamiya. If there is one record that lovers of choral music absolutely must have, it is this one.

REVIEWS

”The popularity of the male-voice choir has dwindled during the past century. More common in the Romantic era, repertoire written specifically for men’s choruses is significantly less as well. On the CD Diamonds, Orphei Drangar, led by Robert Sund and Folke Alin, sings 20th century a cappella pieces written specifically for male choir. The pieces chosen are certainly gems in the repertoire. Many are by French composers such as Francis Poulenc, Darius Milhaud and Camille Saint-Saens, who’s Saltarelle is quite fun. The group reaches far to the east in Michio Mamiya’s “Composition for Chorus No.6″ which is based on Japanese folk music. The Anders Hillborg piece, was originally written for a a mixed choir, but was commissioned to write a version for Eric Ericcson and the Orphei Dranger. This phenomenal group sparkles on this recording.” SINGERS.COM

PREVIEW THE RECORD (THE CLIPS ARE ONLY 30 SECONDS LONG DUE TO COPYRIGHT)

• Quatre Petites Prières Saint François d’Assise I 2’12

• Quatre Petites Prières Saint François d’Assise II 1’22

• Quatre Petites Prières Saint François d’Assise III 1’11

• Quatre Petites Prières Saint François d’Assise IV 1’41

• Psaume 121 3’00

• Gyningsvind 6’11

• Muitse mere laulud 8’51

• Iltapilvä 2’47

• Saltarelle 5,15

• Traumlicht 4’29

• Tarantella 7’40

• Composition for Chorus No. 6_2 2’19

• Slovenská Piesen 5’21

• Vysoko Zornicka 2’42

• Preporská Kasárna 2’13

• Kdo Má Pocernú Galánku 4’26

• Muoaayiywaoum 9’19