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REMEMBER THY CREATOR: A CAPPELLA SINGING
Abbotsford, B.C.: Mennonite Educational Institute, 1999.
The hallmark of a fine choir is often measured by its ability to perform unaccompanied or a cappella. In the recording Remember Thy Creator, Mennonite Educational Institute concert choirs and chamber singers (1992-97) demonstrate that they are up to the challenge. A blend of good musicianship, interesting programming and communicative singing provides a worthwhile listening experience for a wide range of tastes.
I was impressed with the choral sound that conductors John Nickel and Larry Nickel have fostered in their choirs; a sound characterized by clarity, solid intonation, balance and clear diction. This sound shines in pieces such as Elizabeth Posten's "Jesus Christ the Apple Tree", Bennett's "Weep, O Mine Eyes" and Stanford's "Beati Quorum via" (Psalm 119:1).
The choirs are particularly expressive as they perform Gorden and Larry Nickel's own composition "Remember Thy Creator" under the composer's direction. Gospel and spiritual settings such as "If We Ever Needed the Lord Before" and "Plenty Good Room" are delivered with inspiration and empathy. Although the vocal and expressive demands of pieces such as Schuetky's "Send Forth Thy Spirit" and Rachmaninoff's "Bogoroditse Devo" could be more easily met by a choir of mature voices, the MEI conductors should be commended for exposing younger choirs to heavier repertoire. Choosing faster tempos for these pieces shows sensitivity to the need to match the strengths of the choir to the demands of the music.
The depth of programming on this CD is seen in selections such as classic motets by Maurice Durufl - ("Ubi Caritas") and Mendelssohn ("Rejoice, Ye Good People"), challenging contemporary pieces such as Ren Clausen's "All that Hath Life and Breath", and a rollicking yet complex arrangement of the English folksong "Bobby Shaftoe". The breadth of selections takes the listener from Larry Nickel's Kernlieder arrangements ("Love Everlasting"/"Gott ist die Liebe") to the gospel sounds of "Wade in the Water" to the Israeli folksong "Sheleg Al Hirih". The wide-ranging program is ordered meaningfully with respect to mood, theme and style. While the CD liner is eye-catching, attractive and informative, one misses translations for several of the pieces that are performed in languages other than English.
This CD demonstrates that excellent musicianship applied to diverse musical languages goes hand in hand with texts of devotion and worship, love, laughter and sorrow. It shows that the heritage of unaccompanied singing is alive and well. A cappella singing is not only a musical challenge, but symbolizes in some traditions (including Mennonite) the human voice in direct, unadorned communion with its Creator. This recording definitely lives up to its title.
MARK BARTEL TEACHES IN THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT AT CONCORD COLLEGE, WINNIPEG.
GOLD
Crystal Lewis. Metro One Inc., 1998. Produced by Brian Ray and Dan Posthuma.
While Crystal Lewis is no stranger to the Christian music scene, there is nothing old about the groove on her latest CD. This album clearly fits into the rhythm and blues category. It features the song, "Lean on Me", in which she is joined by the composer, Kirk Franklin and The Family.
Her lyrics illustrate the pain in the world and point to the love of the Comforter. The title track, "Gold", stresses this: "Still, I found death seems to bring forth life/All your sorrows, all your pain/All your trials . . . Are gold."
For those who are drawn to R & B, her full, authentic heart-felt sound won't disappoint. However, it lacks a uniqueness which sets it apart from the generic mainstream.
ANGELA BALZER IS A MUSIC STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG
BREAK-THRU
Jeannette Petkau. Break-Thru Ministries, 1998.
Jeannette Petkau's debut album is a collection of gospel pop songs focussing on the love and faithfulness of Jesus. A majority of the songs are written by producers and band members Rick Spolar and Paul Minshall. Jeannette has a public ministry to young people on the West Coast from which this album is born. I found the songs quite pointed in their praise of Christ and following God, unfortunately most of the songs ran together and lacked a clear sound. From her bio and other press materials, it appears she has a strong ministry; however, this album fails to highlight those strengths.
Available from Break-Thru Ministries, 203-19721 64th Ave., Langley, B.C. V2Y 1L1.
JON UNGER BRANDT IS A MEMBER OF RIVER EAST MB CHURCH IN WINNIPEG.
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