Translations (2020)
|
Purchase on Amazon (CD or Digital)
Purchase on iTunes (Digital) Purchase on High Res Audio (Lossless Digital) More info on Naxos (release date March 2020) The multi-award-winning Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds’ 21st-century choral sound is both exquisite and angular, and in this album he explores ideas of ‘translation’, legend and the divine. With his expanded tonality and employment of shimmering singing handbells in Translation, and the angelic use of the viola and cello in In paradisum he creates music of ravishing refinement. In The Legend of the Walled-In Woman Ešenvalds transcribes and employs an authentic Albanian folk song. 2020 Grammophone's Critic's Choice 2021 Stereophile's Records to Die For |
|
"Ethan Sperry’s immaculate Portland State Chamber Choir clearly relish the luscious choral textures"
-Grammophone Magazine
The Doors of Heaven (2017)
|
More info on Naxos (release date August 11, 2017)
Purchase on Amazon (CD or Digital) Purchase on iTunes (Digital) The Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds has rapidly become one of the world’s most performed choral composers. His ability to bring a dramatic text to life through textures that are lush yet permeated with a more stringent and angular aesthetic has ensured a steady stream of commissions from leading orchestras and choral forces. The four works here reflect an interest in the beauty of nature, religious faith and legend. The First Tears explores an Inuit story and employs subtle instrumental colouration from jaw harps and Native American flutes, whilst Passion and Resurrection is a profound and powerful exploration of Christ’s death and Resurrection. |
Horizon to Horizon (2016)
|
Horizon to Horizon is the third of the Portland State Chamber Choir’s recording projects to introduce our listeners to complex works for a cappella choir from some of the less visited regions of the globe. The album covers everything from lesser known Russian and Basque composers to famous Americans Samuel Barber and Eric Whitacre and Spirituals, pop songs and an Indian Raga.
|
|
Into Unknown Worlds (2014)
|
Purchase it on CD Baby (CD or Digital Download)
Purchase it on iTunes (Digital Download) Purchase it on Amazon (CD or Digital Download) Purchase this CD at any of our concerts. People love to sing--this has been true in every culture since the dawn of humankind--and people love to sing in choirs. Since Eric Ericson created The Swedish Radio Chorus in the 1950’s, small professional-caliber choirs have sprung up throughout the world. These fine choirs, scattered across the continents, have made a practice of seeking and promoting music from their own cultures. By gathering these choral resources from around the world, Into Unknown Worlds introduces our listeners to complex works for a cappella choir from some of the less likely corners of the globe. |
"I can't stop tearing up listening to this beautiful symbiosis of singing and sound. The danger that lurks behind all recording projects is that you end up pinning a butterfly to a wheel. But this butterfly soars free - art unstrained by artifice."
- John Atkinson, editor of Stereophile magazine
A Drop In The Ocean (2012)
|
Purchase it on CD Baby (CD or Digital Download) - Cheapest option
Purchase it on iTunes (Digital Download) Purchase it on Amazon (CD or Digital Download) Purchase this CD at any of our concerts. The Portland State Chamber Choir, under the direction of Ethan Sperry, sings new choral works by Eriks Esenvalds, Georgy Sviridov, classic works by Rachmaninoff and Verdi, as well as Haitian Voodoo Songs and Spirituals. |
|
"The singers of the PSU Chamber Choir pour their souls into every take." |
“Masterfully crafted sound, deeply expressive, and an impressive command of a range of styles. This is a first-class ensemble, and a first-class recording!” |
"From the very first note sung on this new CD by the Portland State Chamber Choir, conducted by Ethan Sperry, you are captured by the stunning solos and choral sounds. This is a CD you will want to have in your collection."
– Dr. Jo-Michael Scheibe, Past-President, American Choral Directors Association
Veljo Tormis: On American Shores (2007)
|
Purchase it on iTunes (Digital Download)
Purchase it on Amazon (CD or Digital Download) In 2003 Estonian Composer Veljo Tormis heard the Portland State University Chamber Choir while they were on tour in his country. Tormis was so taken with the brilliant artistry and expressive power of the ensemble he requested that Bruce Browne and his singers do a CD of his music sung in English. For almost two years the Singers, their conductor and the composer worked together on this project. Tormis was very prominent in the interpretation. He supervised the learning of the music in preparation for the Chamber Choir's appearance at the Northwest Convention of the American Choral Director's Association 2006. On American Shores is a recording of significance and integrity by both Composer and Artist. |