Baylor University A Cappella Choir - Herbert Howells: Requiem - Sacred and Secular Choral Music (2021)

Tracklist

01. Light
02. Oculi Omnium (Psalm 145:15)
03. Requiem Mass: Dies Irae
04. Richte Mich, Gott (arr. Michelle Jenson)
05. Four Sacred Songs: Erbarme Dich Unser
06. Requiem: I. Salvator mundi-O Saviour of the world
07. Requiem: II. Psalm 23 (The Lord is my shepherd)
08. Requiem: III. Requiem Aeternam I
09. Requiem: IV. Psalm 121-I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills
10. Requiem: V. Requiem Aeternam II
11. Requiem: VI. I heard a voice from heaven (Revelation 14:13)
12. I Will Lift Mine Eyes (Psalm 121)
13. O Vos Omnes (Lamentations 1:12)
14. The Dying Soldier
15. I Hear Thy Voice

Can Good overcome Evil? Generations of people have asked this question and, though it often appears to be a constant struggle, history tells us that it is possible and that we must remain hopeful. The theme that weaves throughout this recording is one of hope, and we have aspired to sing with the belief that light will indeed overcome darkness; that Good is stronger than Evil. The music and texts very effectively guide the listener through a vast range of human emotions. We journey through the terrifying images and sounds of “Dies irae” (Day of Wrath) and the frantic pleading in “Erbarme dich unser, O Herr” (Have mercy on me, O God) to the comfort and solace provided in Herbert Howells’ masterful Requiem, where he poignantly combines Psalms texts with texts from Latin Requiem Mass. One also experiences the mournful grieving of the desolation of Jerusalem, manifest in the Lamentations text as a grieving mother, to the hopeful wishes of a dying soldier. We can see and feel and hear the darkness around us, but there is always hope. In the thrilling conclusion of the opening piece on the album, we hear “Mirth spreads from leaf to leaf, my darling, and gladness without measure. The heaven’s river has drowned its banks and the flood of joy is abroad.” We hope this collection of music elicits comfort, hope and joy, especially amidst the darkness in life. [Brian A. Schmidt, October 2020]


Brian Schmidt is Associate Professor of Choral Music and Director of Graduate Choral Studies at Baylor University where he conducts the Baylor A Cappella Choir and Chamber Singers. He is a GRAMMY-nominated conductor and Founder/Artistic Director of the South Dakota Chorale, a professional choir based in Sioux Falls, SD where he has grown the ensemble’s artistic presence through commercial recordings and an international recording contract in 2014 with Pentatone. Previously Schmidt served at Duke University Chapel where he conducted the Duke Vespers Ensemble and founded several new ventures including the monthly Bach Cantata Series and Cappella Baroque (a professional period-instrument orchestra) along with publishing recordings on the MSR Classics label. Schmidt graduated from the University of North Texas, where he completed MM and DMA degrees under Jerry McCoy and Richard Sparks, along with early music studies under Lyle Nordstrom and Lenora McCroskey.

The Baylor University A Cappella Choir is the flagship choral ensemble at the University. Recognized as one of the elite college choirs in America, they were named winners of The American Prize—College & University Division in 2020. The choir combines some of the most advanced singers at Baylor, both music majors and non-music majors, and focuses on cultivating meaningful fellowship and rich, artistic singing. The A Cappella Choir performs a wide variety of musical styles, both solo performances and collaborative projects with other areas of the School of Music. Additionally, the choir is involved with performances for Family Weekend in the Fall, the annual televised “A Baylor Christmas” production, the Baylor Choral Invitational, and is active in the community, throughout the state, and across the country. The Baylor A Cappella Choir has performed by invitation for the Baptist General Convention of Texas, Texas Music Educators Association Convention, the Texoma Region of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and the prestigious National Convention of the American Choral Directors Association.

DOWNLOAD ALBUM [flac]