Gloria, for chorus (after the 3rd movement of Saint-Saën's Symphony No. - Libera, Prizeman, Robert
Sancte, for chorus - Libera, Prizeman, Robert
Rest in peace, for chorus - Libera, Skellern, Robert
Love and mercy, song - Libera, Wilson, Brian [Pop]
May the road rise up, for chorus - Libera, Prizeman, Robert
Never be alone, for chorus - Libera, Geraghty, Steven
Jerusalem ("And did those feet in ancient time"), for chorus & organ (o - Libera, Parry, Hubert
Glory to thee my God this night (tune Tallis's Canon), No. 244 - Libera, Tallis, Thomas [Com
The lamb, for chorus - Libera, Kay, Dan
In paradisum, for chorus - Libera, Prizeman, Robert
Enya's Orinoco Flow and Bach's Air on a G string; the disc also includes a track penned by Brian Wilson called 'Love and Mercy'. This is the song Libera performed to a star-studded audience in Washington DC before Christma... more »s at the Kennedy Centre Honours, an audience which included President Bush, Robert De Niro, Cameron Diaz and Brian Wilson himself. The talented singers of Libera come from a variety of different schools and backgrounds in London and join together at a church in South London where they rehearse and perform for many hours each week. The youngest is seven and the oldest members are fourteen. Alongside their unique Libera music, the boy singers enjoy a wide repertoire from classical and cathedral pieces to works for pop and media productions. In recent years they have sung on films like 'Romeo & Juliet' and 'Hannibal' and with singers like Bjork, Elton John & Pavarotti. Libera is directed by Robert Prizeman, the well respected musical advisor to the BBC religious TV programme Songs of Praise. Robert arranges, if not writes all of the music that Libera perform. Sales of Libera's albums worldwide are now over 300,000 and the boys have a strong following of fans.« less
Enya's Orinoco Flow and Bach's Air on a G string; the disc also includes a track penned by Brian Wilson called 'Love and Mercy'. This is the song Libera performed to a star-studded audience in Washington DC before Christmas at the Kennedy Centre Honours, an audience which included President Bush, Robert De Niro, Cameron Diaz and Brian Wilson himself. The talented singers of Libera come from a variety of different schools and backgrounds in London and join together at a church in South London where they rehearse and perform for many hours each week. The youngest is seven and the oldest members are fourteen. Alongside their unique Libera music, the boy singers enjoy a wide repertoire from classical and cathedral pieces to works for pop and media productions. In recent years they have sung on films like 'Romeo & Juliet' and 'Hannibal' and with singers like Bjork, Elton John & Pavarotti. Libera is directed by Robert Prizeman, the well respected musical advisor to the BBC religious TV programme Songs of Praise. Robert arranges, if not writes all of the music that Libera perform. Sales of Libera's albums worldwide are now over 300,000 and the boys have a strong following of fans.
"Apparently the US release of "New Dawn" was delayed significantly. After waiting several weeks for the Amazon US release, I was fortunate enough to procure a copy while driving through Canada on my way home from a Libera concert.
While some of the previous Libera recordings contained new versions of works they had previously recorded, "New Dawn" contains pretty much all new material. It contains a wide repertoire from more contemporary songs like Enya's "Orinoco Flow" and Brian Wilson's "Love and Mercy" to classically inspired songs such as "In Paradisum" based on the Mass. Of course it was "Love and Mercy" that Libera performed for a host of dignitaries during the Kennedy Center Honors in December, 2007.
Everything on the CD is very well done. After meeting some of the boys from Libera and really comprehending how young many of them are, I am even more impressed with the quality and professionalism of their music. Libera is not just another boy's choir. They have a very unique sound. I would recommend this CD to anyone.
In order to keep this review short, I will just comment on a few of my favorite numbers. "Gloria" is based on the third movement of Camille Saint-Saens' Third Symphony (a.k.a. "The Organ Symphony.") This has always been one of my favorites. The vocal treatment in "Gloria" is very uplifting.
I don't recall hearing "Rest in Peace" (by Peter Skellern) prior to the Libera concert I attended, but it is fast becoming one of my favorites on the "New Dawn" CD. Tom Cully did the solo at the concert as well as on the CD. His technical proficiency on this number (as well as others) is phenomenal - especially considering that he's only 13. This song is very beautiful, and I think a lot of people will find it very inspirational. If you like "Rest in Peace," you'll also like "May the Road Rise Up" base on the traditional Irish blessing. Robert Prizeman, the director and conductor of Libera, wrote this.
Finally, I need to mention "The Lamb" by William Blake and Don Kay. While I was not previously familiar with this number, I think it is meant to portray a small child talking to a lamb. Benedict Phillip (a.k.a. "mini Ben" if you've seen the DVD or been to a concert) is the soloist. His voice is so charming on this piece, and it gives just the right feel to it.
Again, this is another great CD from Libera and highly recommended."
Libera New Dawn
Richard A. Patton | Ormond Beach, FL United States | 04/01/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Viva Libera!!
Bravo, Another outstanding album! "New Dawn" contains a number of new selections by Libra.
As usual Tom Cully, Josh Madine, Liam Connery and Ed Day demonstrate their abilities in the "Air" (on the G string) these solos are absolutely beautiful. You must hear it to believe the awesome beauty!
"Ave Maria", and in "In Paradisum" are repeats but done very well. I truly would love to hear the Schubert version of Ave Maria, the group would bring a new vista to this old favorite.
On the negative side, I particularly like Jerusalem, it is one of my favorites. The boys did an outstanding job for what they did, that is to say they did not perform the entire song. I would suggest that they do the full version on a future album.
If you are a Libera fan, as I am this album is a must have! If you are new to Libera's melodic tones and harmony this is a great place to start. Buy it!!
"
Boy wonders of London
PQ | East Hartford, CT United States | 04/29/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This cd is a reflection of their current US concert tour. I was fortunate enough to see them in Hartford recently. I purchased a couple of cd's of theirs before buying concert tickets. After hearing them, I immediately got the tickets. It was one of the best live musical experiences I've had in years. I'd recommend this to any lover of male choral music."
A Real New Dawn
Hector Blanco | 06/22/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The latest Libera CD to add to my collection, "New Dawn," is slightly different than previous Libera CDs, in my opinion. This does not diminish the quality and artistry of the music in this CD in any way. Among the classic Libera style tracks are two tracks that one would classify as "pop" and "new age." One of the tracks I'm referring to is, "Love and Mercy" which was written by Brian Wilson and was performed by Libera on December 2007 at the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington D.C. The other track is a cover of Enya's "Orinoco Flow" which is superbly performed. Some of the tracks on "New Dawn," such as "Ave Maria," and "In Paradisum" which is entitled "Lux Aeterna" in previous CDs, have been previously recorded with other Libera soloists. The songs Libera re-records on their later CDs only get better, not that the earlier ones are any less, so assuredly, you won't be disappointed if you buy a Libera CD with previously recorded songs. As I said before, "New Dawn" is a CD slightly different from other Libera CDs but still has the beautiful, angelic harmonies which Libera is known for. I highly recommend Libera's latest masterpiece, "New Dawn.""
New Dawn--Libera At Its Best
Tony S. | Maryland | 05/15/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Libera's latest effort is appropriately titled "New Dawn". While many of the 14 tracks are similar to those on previous releases, there ia an attempt to branch out. This is quite evident with "Orinoco Flow". Included is "Love and Mercy" by Brian Wilson of Beach Boy fame. The traditional hymns and classical pieces have been reworked by Libera's director Robert Prizeman. Mr. Prizeman has altered these to fit the unique "Libera sound". One track, "Never Be Alone", is a piece with music by former Libera treble Steven Geraghty who now assists with Libera's sound engineering. There are also several new boys in Libera that sing on the CD. Thus, in many ways this is truly a "new dawn" for Libera. What has not changed is the high quality, joy and wonder that is Libera!"