Ēriks Ešenvalds: The Doors of Heaven
Portland State Chamber Choir, Ethan Sperry
Awards:
-
Gramophone Magazine, November 2017, Editor's Choice
The Portland State Chamber Choir under Ethan Sperry nevertheless offer a finely sung, well-shaped hour’s programme, the disc makes an excellent introduction for anyone wanting to investigate...
Ēriks Ešenvalds: The Doors of Heaven
Portland State Chamber Choir, Ethan Sperry
Purchase product
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Awards:
-
Gramophone Magazine, November 2017, Editor's Choice
The Portland State Chamber Choir under Ethan Sperry nevertheless offer a finely sung, well-shaped hour’s programme, the disc makes an excellent introduction for anyone wanting to investigate...
About
The Latvian composer Eriks Ešenvalds has rapidly become one of the world’s most performed choral composers. His ability to bring a dramatic text to life through textures that are lush yet permeated with a more stringent and angular aesthetic has ensured a steady stream of commissions from leading orchestras and choral forces. The four works here reflect an interest in the beauty of nature, religious faith and legend. The First Tears explores an Inuit story and employs subtle instrumental colouration from jaw harps and Native American flutes, whilst Passion and Resurrection is a profound and powerful exploration of Christ’s death and Resurrection.
Contents and tracklist
- Kenan Koenig (vocals), Jeff Evans (Native American flute), Max Kolpin (percussion), Erick Lichte (jew's harp), Emmalyn Fox (soprano)
- Portland State University Chamber Choir
- Ethan Sperry
- Emmalyn Fox (soprano), Sterling Roberts (baritone), Shankar Viswanathan (jew's harp)
- Portland State University Chamber Choir
- Ethan Sperry
- Rebecca Yakos (soprano)
- Portland State University Chamber Choir
- Ethan Sperry
- Hannah Consenz (soprano)
- Portland State University Chamber Choir, Portland State University String Ensemble
- Ethan Sperry
- Recorded: January and May 2016
- Recording Venue: St Stephen's Catholic Church, Portland, Oregon, USA
Awards and reviews
-
Gramophone MagazineNovember 2017Editor's Choice
November/December 2017
The Portland State Chamber Choir under Ethan Sperry nevertheless offer a finely sung, well-shaped hour’s programme, the disc makes an excellent introduction for anyone wanting to investigate Ešenvalds’s soundworld.
1st September 2017
his musical language ranges widely and the complex choral writing storms the heavens.
November 2017
This outstanding disc proves that composers such as Ešenvalds speak very clearly across cultures...The choir is used as a vast palette of colours and you can really hear the singers enjoying their separate contributions to this...This is a superb disc, containing impassioned performances, beautifully recorded.
September 2017
This is a super disc. All the music is compelling and the work of a composer who really knows how to exploit the sound of a choir to the full and in most imaginative but not outlandish ways. The singing throughout is excellent…anyone wanting to explore the extraordinary music of Ēriks Ešenvalds could start here with confidence. In all respects…this disc is a conspicuous success.
13th August 2017
It takes its title from the most successful work in the collection, Rivers of Light, a gorgeous evocation of the northern lights...impressive throughout is the splendid singing of the Portland State Chamber Choir.
