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The Antioch Chamber Ensemble is an extraordinary group of (only!) eleven voices making complex classical music shine on Winter Songs. The seventeen selections feature works by Morten Lauridsen (Mid-Winter Songs for the first five cuts), Francis Poulenc (Un soir de neige provides tracks 6 & 7), and Herbert Howells (Three Carol-Anthems for cuts 8-10); the final seven tracks present a lovely mix, including two traditional holiday folksongs. Artistic Director (and bass singer) Joshua Copeland's inspiration for Winter Songs was Loreena McKennitt's To Drive the Cold Winter Away, another excellent album that celebrates the winter season (reviewed on this site here). Everything here is professionally executed and polished.

Usually singing a cappella, Antioch is accompanied by piano on the Lauridsen pieces (the first five cuts). Given my predilection for a cappella singing, I favor the unadorned voices on great works like Howells' richly complex Here is the Little Door and especially on The Spotless Rose. On the latter, the harmonies rise and fall in pure and gentle waves. By the time the bells announce the arrival of the familiar Coventry Carol, Antioch has its listeners well in hand. Every nuance, every inflection is flawlessly conveyed. This is exciting, but challenging, music.

Bravo! Antioch's sophisticated presentation has contemporary flair and will readily win over those who favor top-notch a cappella classical singing.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2006)

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From the liner notes:

Joshua A. Copeland, Artistic Director
Christine Chang, Piano

Soprano
Suzanne Anderson
Jesson Burnam
Kate Mulvihill
Kristin Sands

Alto
Luthen Brackett
Sharon Morrison

Tenor
Matthew Hughes
Scott Mello
Stephen Sands

Bass
Joshua Copeland
Jeremiah Goldovitz
Steven Hrycelak

Antioch Chamber Ensemble

Winter Songs

Artist link

Track List