CD Review: Devine Grandeur - originally published in the Journal of the IAWM Volume 9, No. 2, 2003

"Divine Grandeur"
The New York Concert Singers with conductor
Judith Clurman
New World Recordings 80504-2

The CD features sacred choral works by American composers Simon Sargon, Robert Beaser, Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, Aaron Jay Kernis, Stephen Paulus, Judith Shatin and John Schlenck. Of the nine choral selections on the CD, three are by women; this review will address the works of the two women composers.

The CD includes brief liner notes on each composer and their respective compositions. The text for each work is included with translations where required. As an added bonus a Selected Discography for each composer is also included along with the publisher for each piece. As such, this CD will serve as a valuable resource for those wishing to study and perform American choral music.

Divine Grandeur was recorded at Church of The Heavenly Rest, October 18-20, 1996 in New York City. It was a project of Recorded Anthology of American Music, Inc., with funding from the New York State Council on the Arts and J.G. Trust.

The New York Concert Singers were founded by conductor Judith Clurman in 1988. This group gives excellent performances in full chorus and smaller ensembles on the CD. They have a reputation for promoting contemporary music, particularly that of American composers. Divine Grandeur attests to their superb musicianship.