A Cappellaby Anonymous

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July 04, 2006: Robert Shaw is still considered on of the finest choral conductors this country has ever produced. When he took over the podium of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra some felt his talents were being wasted on orchestral influence: a few seasons into the role as an orchestral conductor erased the doubts of his ability in that realm. One of the aspects of his tenure programming was always to include the major works for orchestra and chorus and fortunately most of those works were recorded before his death. In this superb CD Robert Shaw returns to his roots as choral conductor, presenting a group of a cappella works that demonstrates just how wide-ranging was his repertoire and a renewed appreciation for this gifts in drawing the very finest of choral singing from his musicians. Included here are near perfect performances of a wide variety of works: de Victoria's 'O vos omnes, qui transitis per viam', Thomas Tallis' 'A new commandment', Poulenc's 'Quatre motets pour un temps de pénitence' and 'Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël', Debussy's 'Chansons de Charles d'Orléans', Brahms' 'Waldesnacht' and 'Abendständchen', Aleksandr Kopylov's 'Heavenly Light', excerpts form the Rachmaninov 'Vespers', Verdi's 'Sacred Pieces', Britten's 'Hymn to St. Cecilia', Arvo Part's 'Magnificat', Frank Martin's 'Mass', and three spirituals.Some may argue this is too wide a selection for a CD, that while this made make for a brilliant evening's performance in the concert hall, it is too much variation to digest on a CD format. But those who feel that way can parcel out the treasures here recorded according to their needs. For a sampling of the genius of Robert Shaw conducting a cappella works, this CD is as fine as they come. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp