Clarion CLR931CD

The world premiere recording of Carol Barnett and Marisha Chamberlain's bluegrass mass — a joyful affirmation of life expressed in sophisticated choral sound and jubilant bluegrass harmonies written especially for the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers and bluegrass band Monroe Crossing. Plus ten American masterworks spanning the centuries, originally recorded for the national radio program Saint Paul Sunday, from Billings to Bolcom and beyond.

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass
Carol Barnett, composer
Marisha Chamberlain, librettist

1. Ballad Refrain
2. Kyrie
3. Ballad, First Verse
4. Gloria
5. Ballad, Second Verse and Refrain
5. Credo
7. Sanctus
8. Ballad, Third & Fourth Verses and Refrain
9. Agnus Dei
10. Interlude: "Art Thou Weary?"
11. Benediction
12. Conclusion

13. O Praise the Lord of Heaven (William Billings)
14. The Paper Reeds by the Brooks (Randall Thompson)
15. Beneath These Alien Stars (Libby Larsen)
16. The Day Is Done (Stephen Paulus)
17. I Cannot Dance, O Lord (Aaron Jay Kernis)
18. Sing, My Soul, His Wondrous Love (Ned Rorem)
19. Heritage (William Bolcom)
20. Zuni Sunrise Song (Brent Michael Davids)
21. Water Night (Eric Whitacre)
22. My Soul's Been Anchored (Moses Hogan)

Clarion CLR932CD

Reflecting our shared American heritage like a patchwork quilt, this is a charming collection of folksongs performed by conductor Philip Brunelle and the 32-voice VocalEssence Ensemble Singers with guitar, harmonica, accordion, bass and piano. Classic arrangements by the likes of Norman Luboff, Alice Parker and Robert Shaw capture each folksong's unique appeal.

 

1. Oh, Dear, What Can the Matter Be? (arr. Norman Luboff)
2. Down in the Valley (arr. Norman Luboff)
3. Black Is the Color (arr. Norman Luboff)
4. Skip to My Lou (arr. Norman Luboff)
5. Dixie (Daniel Emmet [attributed], arr. Norman Luboff)
6. Camptown Races (Stephen Foster, arr. Jack Halloran
7. Laura Lee (Stephen Foster, arr. Edwin Fissinger)
8. Oh Susannah (Stephen Foster, arr. Edwin Fissinger)
9. Gentle Annie (Stephen Foster, arr. Edwin Fissinger)
10. Goin' to Boston (arr. Alice Parker & Robert Shaw)
11. My Old Kentucky Home (Stephen Foster, arr. Alice Parker & Robert Shaw)
12. Seeing Nellie Home (Fletcher/Kyle, arr. Alice Parker & Robert Shaw)
13. The Lonesome Valley (arr. Alice Parker & Robert Shaw)
14. Shenandoah (arr. James Erb)
15. Hooray for the Cowboys (Marilyn Bergman, arr. Norman Luboff)
16. Red River Valley (arr. Norman Luboff)
17. Tumblin' Tumbleweed (Bob Nolan, arr. Norman Luboff)
18. Riders in the Sky (Stan Jones, arr. Norman Luboff)
19. Cool Water (Bob Nolan, arr. Norman Luboff)