Search - François C.T. Dubois, Lubbock, Texas First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir, Gordon McMillan :: Théodore Dubois: The Seven Last Words of Christ/ Mendelssohn: Hear My Prayer

Dubois' 7 Last Words

07/05/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was thrilled to find this recording after having looked in vain last year for ANY recording of this work. In general this is a strong performance and true to the spirit and tone of the work I loved growing up. However, I was very annoyed by the English translation, which is significantly different from the version I learned along with the original Latin. This translation is even more formal and archaic than the original. For example, this version uses the phrase "He is death guilty" instead of the original, and more rational, "He of death is guilty". I found this recording to be peppered with awkward phrases like this one and the use of archaic and stilted language."

Church Geeks Will Love It

Jean C. Fletcher | 05/16/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a choral singer who grew up on Dubois' "The Seven Last Words of Christ" and loved to sing it, I have been searching for a recording for a couple of years. Finally!! And, this rendition is so good, it has me singing along. Few organists get the thunder right. Frederick Swann does (of course). Few choirs get the tempo right. This one does. The soloists are talented and the sweetness of "Verily" reminds me of the best live rendition I ever heard. I am so pleased with this album that I have ordered it for my sisters (who love this Dubois work as much as I do) and a few choir members with whom I've sung in the past. My only regret is that my father, a star tenor who performed it many times, is not alive to hear it. BRAVO!! AND....Mendelssohn's "Hear My Prayer" is an unexpected but delightful bonus, as is the Swann organ solo."

Wonderful Performance

Keith T. Roden | Camp Hill, PA USA | 02/25/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I thought the performance of "The Seven Last Words of Christ" was wonderful. I personally prefer the translation from the old Theodore Presser edition better the the G. Schirmer. The quaility of the soloists and the choir was exceptional. The recording level volume causes you to turn your stereo up and down at times but I found that to be only a minor distraction. It provided my choir with a great sampling of the excitement this wonderful old work can bring. I recommend this recording highly.



Keith T. Roden

Director of Sanctuary Music

Camp Hill United Methodist Church

Camp Hill, PA"