About the Book
A centennial celebration of Langlais’ legacy of sacred music, featuring three masses and nine anthems for choir, organ works, and rare compositions for brass performed by members of Gabriel V.
"I have been amazed by the very high level of the performances, the choir, (for once, there are very good tenors and basses!) the brasses, brilliant, and the organists. The accompaniment, for example, of the Messe Solennelle is absolutely magnificent, as are the very good tempi taken in all this mass: not too slow, not too fast, the perfect tempi in a beautiful acoustic. And the Grand Orgue interventions are striking. I should say: one of the very best performances of this mass I ever heard. In my opinion, Gloriae Dei Cantores are a top choir, certainly one of the best in the USA, and Elizabeth Patterson's direction of my husband's music is absolutely wonderful. She understood everything, in the big vocal works as in the more intimate motets. MANY THANKS to everybody and congratulations."
Madame Marie-Louise Langlais
About the Author :
Gloriæ Dei Cantores (Singers to the Glory of God) holds a passionate dedication to illuminate truth and beauty through choral artistry, celebrating a rich tradition of sacred choral music from Gregorian chant through the twenty-first century. Currently under the direction of Richard K. Pugsley, Gloriæ Dei Cantores has received critical acclaim for its artistic elegance, performance authenticity, and compelling spirituality. Sharing its vision of inspiration and hope, the choir has toured extensively, touching the hearts of audiences in twenty-four countries in Europe, Asia, and N. America. Its discography of over fifty recordings is distributed internationally through Paraclete Recordings, a division of Paraclete Press, Inc., and NAXOS, Inc. The choir makes its home in Orleans, MA. www.gdcchoir.org
Review :
"This beautifully produced recording features music of Langlais for choir, organ and brass spanning over 40 years. Under the skillful leadership of Elizabeth Patterson, the 40-plus voice Gloriae Dei Cantores...perform with great care, commitment, precision, balance, integrity and sensitivity. These are exemplary performances, recorded during the centennial year of Langlais' birth, offering an opportunity to experience some of his lesser-known works."
The American Organist
"These two CDs are about as good an introduction to [Langlais'] art as I know of, and the fabulous Gloriae Dei Cantores sing with the enthusiasm and devotion that their fans have come to expect. They are an exceptionally wide-repertory group, and Elizabeth Patterson has worked miracles in keeping them so excellently consistent over the years. . . . great singing and one of the few ways to come to know this man's work. The sound, taken down at the Church of the Transfiguration in Orleans, Massachusetts, is first rate."
Audiophile Audition
"Numerous recordings of Langlais' music were made during the centennial of his birth year, so what separates this one from the rest? It gives the listener a glimpse into Langlais' soul. Of all the influences in his life, Langlais' refuge and the inspiration for his sacred music was his Catholic faith. He incorporated chant, Medieval and Renaissance styles, and folk music from his native Brittany as well. Eclipse: The Voice of Jean Langlais contains music spanning over forty years of Langlais' creative life, including compositions for choir, organ, and brass. These range from brief and intimate to large-scale mass settings...There are multiple moments of beauty on these discs. The Mass "Grant Us Peace" is unique from the start in that the composer uses English for the text...The performance incorporates the full range of human emotion from disappointment and shame to indescribable joy and everything in between. The combination of acoustics, a well-disciplined choir, an extremely sensitive organist, and the inspiring conducting of Elizabeth Patterson makes this an exhilarating journey of music and faith!...The singers of the Gloriae Dei Cantores are disciplined and dynamic in their sound, attentive to the superb direction of their inspiring conductor Elizabeth C. Patterson, and faithfully represent the music they sing. The Church of the Transfiguration in Orleans, Massachusetts, completes the sound with fine acoustics, a superb organ, and organists who play with sensitivity and elegance. Kudos to organists David Chalmers, James Jordan, and Sharon Pfeiffer; the singers of the Schola and Gloriae Dei Cantores, cantor Br. Richard Cragg, the members of brass quintet Gabriel V, and their conductor for an exceptional disc. Many readers will know the pieces described, and that alone is worth the price, but the other tracks will serve as icing on your choral cake! Highly recommended."
Choral Journal
"This collection of vocal and instrumental music will help fill the void in recordings...of Langlais."
"If you like Langlais you will enjoy this collection. The choir is excellent....Chalmers offers a first-rate job on Fete. There's a good balance between choir and organ."
American Record Guide
"The label can be proud of its signal contribution to the Langlais anniversary." Fanfare
"This CD, so lovingly and passionately compiled is an excellent place to start an understanding this remarkable, blind composer and organist."
"James Jordan is acutely aware of its[the Skinner organ] potential and uses the full instrument gloriously. The choir Gloriae Dei Cantores is excellent with fine diction and intonation and a clear and precise ensemble. They achieve an ideal balance aided by the upfront but not overpowering recording."
Music Web-International
"The choral sound is clean, more committed than nuanced, but stylistically knowing...David Chalmers displays impressive technique in the Fete. For a broad retrospective at the end of this centenary year of the composer's birth, this set is highly recommended." The Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians
