Search - David Wilson-Johnson, Percy Grainger, Edvard Grieg :: At Twilight: Choral Music by Percy Grainger and Edvard Grieg

First rate 'pretty' choral works

B. Marold | Bethlehem, PA United States | 11/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"'At Twilight' is a performance of sixteen (16) choral works by Percy Grainger and four choral 'psalms' by Edvard Grieg. All are in English and the one impression which cries out to me as I listen to each track is 'GLEE CLUB!!!'. Even Grieg's hymns are like nothing I have ever heard from our very Lutheran choir; however, I think that reflects poorly on our choir and not on Grieg or his works.



On Grainger's part, many of his pieces are as familiar to us as old shoes. One of the most familiar is the very American tune, 'Shenandoah'. My only problem with these is that they are so short, by the time you settle into their warmly comforting sound, they are gone. Poof. Even though Grieg has only four (4) pieces, they take up a full half of the time, as all are close to six minutes long apiece.



If you happen to be in the market for church music, Grieg's pieces are simply not to be missed. I suspect they are much easier to learn and perform than even the simplest Bach cantata, as long as you have a good baritone to do the solos.



Recommended."