Chanticleer

Wow! What an amazing concert!

A little over a week ago, we had the chance to listen to Chanticleer (choral group) at BYU. It was kind of a spur of the moment thing. We had thought about getting tickets earlier, but didn't because we didn't know when baby was coming. So, the day of the performance I got an email with upcoming arts events. I called Becca to see if she wanted to go and got tickets. I'm very glad I did!

The concert was wonderful and we both really enjoyed it. Chanticleer has a very clear sound and amazing technique and range. They performed a variety of different styles, all very well done, including new works that they had commissioned. I really liked how they performed both classical pieces and new modern works. The theme for the concert was "out of this world" and featured songs about stars through the ages. I especially enjoyed the "Observer In the Magellanic Cloud", which is one of the new pieces they commissioned. Maori legend says that their souls ascend to the stars after death and the song tells the story of a satellite passing through the cloud. It start with spacy satellite-type sounds (sung!) and then maori chants fade up in the background, harmonize with the other sounds and then fade out again. It was very fun to listen to.

Music expert I am not, but I very much enjoyed it. It seems that other people did as well. I think that's the most excited I've ever seen an audience get at BYU. They were giving standing ovations before the concert was even over :-).

If you're interested, check out http://www.chanticleer.org/. They have an online store where you can listen to samples. And if you have the chance to see them in person, definitely go!