A couple reviews have trickled in on Tucson's True Concord Voices & Orchestra's two-week-old CD "Far In the Heavens β Choral Music Of Stephen Paulus."
The album was released nationally on Sept. 11 byΒ Reference Records and is being distributed by the classical music behemoth Naxos Records. The release came on the day that True Concord β formerly Tucson Chamber Artists β made its debut at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall. The CD includes "Prayers and Remembrances," which True Concord commissioned from Paulus to mark the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.Β
Paulus was on hand in Tucson in spring 2013 when True Concord recorded the CD, which includes previously unrecorded Paulus works. Among them is "The Incomprehensible," which True Concord commissioned from Paulus in 2009; and βNunc dimittis,β a work Paulus originally scored in 2008 for organ and voice. He rewrote the piece for unaccompanied voice the day before True Concord recorded it two years ago.
Weeks after he left Tucson and returned home to Minnesota, Paulus suffered a devastating stroke. He never recovered and died in October at the age of 65.
"Far In the Heavens" debuted Sept. 11 at No. 2 on theΒ respected online classical music retailer ArkivMusic and No. 5 on iTunes. Amazon debuted it at No. 21 on its new classical releases chart.Β
Here's a sampling of some of the critical acclaim for "Far In the Heavens":
β’ Opera Today's Adam Luebke praised the CD for introducing listeners to the lesser-known works in Paulus's extensive catalogue.Β
β... Paulusβ music is undeniably beautiful and pleasing," he wrote, but the CD is "also important because it serves to introduce lesser known music, including a new masterwork, of an influential 21st century American voice."
He added, "The performance of True Concord Voices and Orchestra is excellent. Paulusβ trademark bright harmonies and cluster chords ring true with perfect choral intonation. The expressiveness of the music and texts come through effectively with clear articulation and distinct enunciation. The choral tone is generally crystalline with minimal vibrato which suits Paulusβ sound world, but at times fails to match the vibrancy, depth, and balance of the orchestra."
β’ Independent music review site Infodad.com praisedΒ the "freshness" of Paulus's "melodic What stands out in these pieces and the five others on this disc are two things: Paulusβs "melodic invention, even when he is dealing with sentiments and emotions that are largely familiar" on mostly sacred works including "Nunc dimittis" and "When Music Sounds," a piece that Infodad's critic called a "fitting .. affirmation of the connection between music and the spiritual."
NYC concert review:Β True Concord lives up to "ideals of their name" in "wonderful performance."
New York Concert Review was in the audience when True Concord Voices & Orchestra's performed its Sept. 11 concert at Lincoln Center. The reviewer called Stephen Paulus's "Prayers and Remembrances" an "outstanding work," that should be "a centerpiece at any 9/11 memorial concert, or any concert for that matter."
True Concord Conductor Eric Holtan "led with total commitment, his gestures seemingly coaxing the utmost from his ensemble in a performance that held this listenerβs complete attention for the workβs entire 35-plus minutes,"Β the reviewer, Jeffrey Williams, wrote.
"It is a shame that Mr. Paulus was not with us this night, as I am sure he would have been pleased with the results," Williams said.
