MP3 Cantate 2000 - CLASSICAL: Vocal Music

A sublime journey in beauty: unexpected beauty of choral sound from such young singers, beauty of instrumental gesture, beauty of impeccable performance, world class treble chorus singing music by and amazingly eclectic composer.

11 MP3 Songs
CLASSICAL: Vocal Music, FOLK: Traditional Folk



Details:
Once again the Seattle Girls' Choir pairs with wonderful music by Jackson Berkey.

"I have been collaborating directly with Jerome Wright and the Seattle Girls' Choir for many years. Numerous works in my treble catalog have been written with their distinctive sound uppermost in my mind. It was during my first Seattle visit with Jerry that I decided to do a treble choir setting of my song cycle, âVoices From The Earthâ. My âAve dulcissima Mariaâ, written as a âthanksgivingâ for their marvelous work on my music over the years, is premièred in this recorded collection. Featured is the title work, âCantate 2000â. Commissioned in 2000 by the combined Phoenix Boys Choir and the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus, it is here recorded for the first time with orchestra."
-Jackson Berkey

"The relationship Seattle Girls' Choir and I have established with Jackson Berkey continues to flourish. Each new and exciting collaboration propels us into fresh and increasingly beautiful artistic frontiers. We are successfully exploring the potentials of the beautiful vocal instrument known as the treble choir...The world of treble choirs is forever enriched because of the elegant repertoire - present and future - Jackson Berkey provides."
-Jerome Wright, Ph.D

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QUOTES & REVIEWS

"Wonderful! âIn A French Mountain Villageâ could be listened to forever. A CD that will never leave the CD player"

"Seattle Girls do it again!, Way to go Seattle Girls' Choir! This new CD is fabulous, with beautiful music performed by talented young ladies!"

"âCantate Dominoâ, the fourth movement of âCantate 2000â, is stunning, and âAscendit Deusâ is wonderful! Buy this CD and you will not regret it. It is probably the best CD released this year!"

"I am a big fan of the Seattle Girls' Choir. I love their other CD, âSeattle Holidayâ. This one is also supreme. I have never heard such wonderful music, with so much care and expression used. This is truly a wonderful CD."


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Jerome L. Wright, FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Dr. Jerome Wright celebrates forty-five years as a professional conductor this season. A native of the State of Washington, he received most of his musical education at the University of Washington, and majored at the graduate level in Symphonic Conducting under the late Stanley Chapple, while studying choral conducting with Rodney Eichenberger. He has five degrees, including two doctorates. He is a master artist-teacher who delights in seeing his students catch the spark of truly passionate, exciting, literate, creative music making. Jerry has earned the respect of his colleagues because of his enthusiasm, energy, professionalism and musical results. In addition to his full-time position with the Seattle Girlsâ Choir, he serves as Artistic Director of "Ancora" â a women's choir many of whose singers are alumnae of the Seattle Girls' Choir. He also guest conducts festival choruses, and adjudicates and conducts master classes and workshops.

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JACKSON BERKEY ⢠COMPOSER / PIANIST

Jackson Berkeyâs artistry encompasses that of an acclaimed pianist, an inventive and highly creative composer, a meticulous producer and recording artist. His range of accomplishments in music combine with a depth of talent that is formidable indeed. His New York Town Hall Debut in 1969 launched a remarkable and highly varied career.

First known as touring pianist for the Norman Luboff Choir, Jackson has recorded and toured as âFeatured Keyboard Artistâ with Chip Davis and Mannheim Steamroller for the past 30 years. With his advanced degree in performance from New Yorkâs Juilliard School, Berkeyâs musical foundation lies in the classical, sacred, and chamber genre.

His earlier American Gramaphone releases âSunken Cathedralâ, âBalladeâ, and 109 featured compelling performances of classical piano works by Scriabin, Beethoven, Debussy, Rachmaninoff and Persichetti. That pursuit now continues with performances of works by Scarlatti, Debussy, Beethoven, Chopin and Liszt. American Gramaphoneâs âHoliday Musikâ series offers Berkeyâs performances of Harpsichord works by Domenico Scarlatti and J. S. Bach.

On SDG Records®, Jacksonâs solo CD, âFacetsâ, includes stunning performances of many âsignatureâ works throughout his career, including classical pieces by Rachmaninoff, Debussy, Sibelius, Beethoven, Chopin, and Fauré. On that label the artist has also released âThe Mountains and The Seaâ, âBerkey Meets Horowitz on the 503â, âCape May Preludesâ, âHarpsichord Carolsâ, and in 2004, âAtlantic Fantasyâ. All CDs offer performances of original solo keyboard and instrumental works from his published catalog.

An accomplished composer, Jackson Berkeyâs publications include music for solo voice, solo instruments, chamber ensemble, orchestra, symphonic band, and choir. His âChamber Concerto for Organ, Winds, Percussion, and Stringsâ and his âConversations for Harp and Chamber Orchestraâ were both premièred in 2004. From solo musicians to full orchestra and multiple choirs, Berkeyâs compositions create excitement through brilliant rhythmic patterns, metric modulations, and intense dance rhythms. His sensitivity to text and to both joyous and tender melodies give pleasure to every performer, including those oft-neglected players of the inner lines in ensemble music. Every musical force interacts with its musical partners, whether they be solo or duet melodies or a percussion ensemble with organ. His writing reveals careful attention to structure, form, and performance success; even with difficult-to-balance entities such as harp and orchestra. Highly evident in his intelligent and expressive solo piano works is Berkeyâs unique ability to shape phrases and draw extraordinary color from the instrument.

Jackson and his wife Almeda - herself a distinguished conductor, singer, and librettist - have documented their work with SDG Records®, which also records the professional choir, Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum. Almeda conducts pristine performances of many of Jacksonâs compositions, as well as beautiful music from all periods of classical music and folk music. A beautiful sampling of Luboff choral arrangements is showcased on their nostalgic âNorman Luboff Rememberedâ. Six other Cantorum CDs include Berkey compositions among other classical works. Also recording two CDs of Jacksonâs treble choral music on SDG Records® is the internationally recognized Seattle Girlsâ Choir conducted by Dr. Jerome Wright.

An ASCAP award-winning composer, Jacksonâs catalog of over 300 works is enjoying hundreds of fine performances across the United States and abroad. Recent honors include First Prize in the New Music for Young Ensembles Composition Contest in New York City for his Piano âTrio Kassarjianâ; the Alienor Harpsichord Festival at Hilton Head, S.C; and the Nebraska Individual Artist Fellowship for Performing Arts, Distinguished Achievement in Composition Award. Jackson Berkey appeared on the artist roster of Baldwin Piano and Organ Company for more than two decades. Performances of several of Jacksonâs longer works have been conducted by Almeda in New Yorkâs Carnegie Hall. She also conducted the world première of his âLâUltima Amorâ for triple womenâs choirs, commissioned for the 400 voices of the AmericaFest 2001 International Womenâs Choir Festival. Some works have been set to film and to dance, such as â Arma Lucisâ, performed at Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

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About SDG Records® and SDG Press®

Soli Deo Gloria - "To God, alone, the glory."
J.S. Bach used this phrase as a signature at the end of many of his works. One sees it over doorways and music instruments in Europe. SDG Press® was founded in 1985 to publish the compositions and arrangements of Jackson Berkey.  

For many years, both Almeda and Jackson toured and performed with Norman Luboff, the extraordinary choral performer, composer, and publisher. It was at Norman's suggestion that the Berkeys formed "Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum" which Almeda conducts. SDG Records® was first established as the record label for the Cantorum. 

Jackson Berkey also has many works published by Walton Music Corporation, Norman Luboff's highly regarded publishing company. Berkey's entire published catalog may be viewed at www.berkey.com.  Click "Official Website" above.