MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Nov. 3, 2011) – In conjunction with the current North Star Tour of Minnesota, VocalEssence is releasing a new CD, From the Land of Sky Blue Waters, on the Clarion label. Enjoy the voices of the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers as they explore the state’s unique legacy of traditional, choral and popular song...from “The Songs of Our Grandparents”’ to “The North Star Hit Parade,” from Stephen Paulus to Prince.
“When it comes to choral music, and all the treasures we have in composers and choral ensembles, there is no state like Minnesota. As the Ensemble Singers set out to tour six Minnesota communities this fall, it quickly became evident that the music we were rehearsing would make a wonderful CD,” says VocalEssence artistic director Philip Brunelle. “We couldn’t resist the opportunity to make a recording as a souvenir of the North Star Tour.”
Lovely songs like “The Day Is Done” (Stephen Paulus), “Beautiful Star” (Libby Larsen) and “My Beloved Is Mine” (Chris deBlasio) contrast with up-tempo pieces like “El Hambo” (Jaakko Mäntyjärvi) and “God’s Bottles” (Randall Thompson).
The 1800s are brought to life with a medley called Songs of Our Grandparents, a romp through the state’s immigrant roots with songs like “Oleana,” “In Heaven There Is No Beer,” “Hälsa dem där hemma” and “Die Lorelei.” Every person who sang a note in a college choir — in this state of famous college choirs — will join in singing F. Melius Christiansen’s “Beautiful Savior.”
But the most fun is to be had in a medley of Minnesota’s pop songs called The North Star Hit Parade, traversing the state’s connection to the national top 40 charts. Sample music made ubiquitous by The Merry Macs (“Sentimental Journey”), Judy Garland “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”), Bob Dylan (“Blowin’ in the Wind”) and Prince (“Purple Rain”) — all the way to Owl Cities’ “Fireflies” and Semisonic’s “Closing Time.” Even some of Minnesota’s best-known products are included with a salute to Hamm’s Beer (“From the Land of Sky Blue Waters”) and “The SPAM Song” (courtesy Monty Python).
For a press/promotional copy of the CD and further information, please contact Malia Cole at VocalEssence (mcole@vocalessence.org, 612-547-1459).
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From the Land of Sky Blue Waters
Track Listing
1. El Hambo (Jaakko Mäntyjärvi)
2. The Day Is Done (Stephen Paulus)
3. There Was a Naughty Boy (Dominick Argento)
4. Songs of Our Grandparents (Medley, arr. Paul Gerike)
5. My Beloved Is Mine (Chris deBlasio)
6. Zuni Sunrise Song (Brent Michael Davids)
7. Beautiful Star (Libby Larsen)
8. God’s Bottles (Randall Thompson)
9. Le Pont Mirabeau (Lionel Daunais)
10. Sino (Carlos Guastavino)
11. We Shall Walk Through the Valley (arr. Undine Smith Moore)
12. Witness (arr. Jack Halloran)
13. Dixie (arr. Norman Luboff)
14. My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord (arr. Moses Hogan)
15. Danny Boy (arr. Joseph Flummerfeldt)
16. The North Star Hit Parade (Medley, arr. Paul Gerike)
VocalEssence Ensemble Singers
The Oxford Times (UK) has declared that the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers “have a blend that could — and should — be the envy of every choir in the business.” Founded in 1991, the Ensemble Singers are acclaimed for their “superbly blended sound” (Birmingham Post, UK) and “exemplary technique” (Minneapolis Star Tribune). Lauded by the Times of London as “polished, bright and brilliantly balanced,” this 32-voice professional chorus is directed by VocalEssence founder Philip Brunelle and associate conductor Sigrid Johnson.
Striving always to create perfection in their choral sound, the Ensemble Singers genuinely engage the audience with their vivid personality and expressive singing. They are equally at ease with works dating from the Baroque era to the modern day, approaching each musical endeavor with originality and freshness. Dominick Argento, Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, Aaron Jay Kernis, Libby Larsen, Stephen Paulus and Alvin Singleton are among the many composers who have written new music expressly for their voices.
Philip Brunelle
Philip Brunelle, artistic director and founder of VocalEssence, is an internationally renowned conductor, choral scholar and performer. Philip has conducted symphonies (New York Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony, and Minnesota Orchestra among others) as well as choral festivals and operas on six continents. Philip holds five honorary doctorates, was invested as an Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2005 for his services to music, and named a Commander of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit in 2007. He has also been honored by the governments of Mexico, Sweden and Hungary.
Contact: Malia Cole
612-547-1459
