Lux Aeterna
Navona, 2021
8/10
Under the conducting skills of Dr. David Holdhusen, the University of South Dakota Chamber Singers bring us an album of choral works where their skilled and rich voices touch on universal human themes that we can all relate to.
“The Word Was God” opens the listen with the powerful vocals meshing with a strategic layering that’s quite busy, but also very soothing and melodic, and this formula continues to the soaring, beautiful “Ave Maria”, where a very spiritual demeanor unfolds with much grace.
Elsewhere, “Agnus Dei”, by Samuel Barber, emits a very emotive angle of stirring, dreamy vocals, while “Soon I Will Be Done” shows incredible range between the many singers. “Will The Circle Be Unbroken”, one of the album’s best, then puts an inimitable spin on the classic with incredible harmony amid the gospel influence.
Nearing the end, the mysterious title track flows with an atmospheric quality that’s quite pretty, and “Wake Up, Ollie Brown” exits the listen with a frisky, adventurous execution of sublime yet playful vocal work.
A truly colorful listen that’s full of historical styles, the voices here are quite absorbing and take us on a memorable and spiritual journey that’s difficult not to be in awe of.
Travels well with: Various Artists- Woven In Time; Trio Casals- Moto Eterno