[.ca] Te Kanawa Sings Sacred Songs

Uplifting, sublime...a heavenly collection:
Te Kanawa's singing gives real joy, and her affinity for the music shines through. She is well accompanied by the English Chamber Orchestra, and some choral and instrumental(Purcell's charming Trumpet Tune) selections help make this beautiful collection more than just a set of arias. She seems to have a great gift for Baroque music, as evidenced also by the shining performance she gave in Handel's Messiah conducted by Sir Georg Solti. A very uplifting CD indeed, and it includes a brief and interesting introduction by David Fingleton who is the author of "Kiri", a biography of Te Kanawa. Here are some of her own words from the CD booklet: "I chose many of the pieces on this recording myself, because they are very beautiful, very melodic, and make people feel good; and if music makes you feel good, well listen to it or sing it!" Her rendition of Bist du bei mir moves my soul, and her sense of perfection in the Laudate Dominum would have pleased Mozart himself. Aside from her beautiful voice and enthusiasm for this music, she also articulates every phrase just right. It will not come as a surprise to you that she has been singing sacred arias for as long as she remembers, as the CD booklet mentions. Very highly recommended.

Te Kanawa's intrepretation of Bach is lyrically amazing.:
Kiri Te Kanawa's Laudate Dominum as well as the other selections, highlight her beautiful phrasing and exquisite tone of her voice.

Kiri is Perfect - Sound level leaves something to be desired:
For anyone who loves Kiri and opera, this CD is superb. The music is gorgeous - glorious, as is KTK's voice in its prime. However, the volume level of the recording is peculiarly low. If you listen to this CD as a stand-alone event you can just turn up the volume to a normal level. The problem arises when you mix this album, or tracks from this album with other albums, and the low volume level of this album becomes readily apparent. If your other albums/tracks are at a comfortable listening level, tracks from this album will be virtually inaudible. If you increase your system's volume to bring tracks from this album to normal levels, the tracks from other albums will be uncomfortably loud.

Consummate musicianship:
Though I had heard her on public radio several times, this was the first recording of Ms. Te Kanawa I had ever heard, and I was immediately swept away by the beauty of her voice and the complete musicianship of the soloist along with the choir and orchestra. The Mozart pieces especially shine: Laudaute Dominum displays Kiri Te Kanawa's voice as flexible and musical; and Ave Verum is compelling in its simplicity, grandeur and beauty. This is one of the best recordings of church music available. I have purchased several copies to give as gifts to family and friends. I highly recommend it.

An Inspiring and Heartening Compilation:
Kiri Te Kanawa voice never fails to inspire me and uplift my spirit. Her rendition of "Ave Maria" is just so beautiful and moving that its effect on the listener can not be expressed in mere words. Kiri's voice and intuitive nature of delivering the inner strength and emotion of each selection on this CD is just inspiring.

• O Divine Redeemer
• Laudate Dominum
• Bist Du Bei Mir
• Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
• Sanctus
• Auf Flugeln Des Gesanges: On Wings Oof Song
• Panis Angelicus
• Ave Verum K. - KV 618
• Ave Maria Op.52-6
• Trumpet Tune
• Let The Bright Seraphim
• Let Their Celestial Concerts