The Recovering Choir Director

Even though MP3s, etc., seem to be all the rage, let’s see how far this goes, shall we?

Total number of CDs I own:
About 100, the vast majority of them having been bought in the last four years.

The last CD I bought:
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam—Gonzaga University Gregorian Schola. Edward Schaefer, director, primarily for Palestrina’s Sicut cervus.

The last CD I listened to:
Same as above.

Five CDs that mean a lot to me:

• Lamentations and Praises. Chanticleer; John Tavener, composer. Tavener is easily my favorite of the three “holy minimalists” (the other two being Henryk Gorecki and Arvo Part). Required Holy Week listening.
• Best of the Renaissance. Tallis Scholars; various composers. Where else can you turn to for flawless renditions of Allegri’s Miserere, Tallis’ Spem in alium, and masterpieces by Josquin, Byrd and Palestrina?
• Morales—Requiem: Music for Philip II. Gabrieli Consort; Peter McCreesh, director. The first “liturgical reconstruction” I purchased, the singers put plenty of emotion into their interpretation of Cristobal de Morales’ underrated Requiem Mass. The post on combining chant and homophony takes its inspiration from the “Circumdederunt me” found on this recording.
• Russian Easter Liturgy. Russian Patriarchate Choir; Anatoly Grindenko, director. Never before have you heard so many stacked major and minor seconds. An acquired taste.
• Oro Salsero. Gilberto Santa Rosa. “El caballero de la salsa” shows that popular music can be catchy, fun, technically refined, and chivalrous.

Tag five people:
Sam Howard, Gen X Revert, Romy, Jane and Lizzy. Again, if they want to spread the wealth.