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God Is Our Refuge
2005
Pacific Lutheran University’s Choir of the West sings songs of faith, love, hope and inspiration in their newest CD, God Is Our Refuge. The title chosen from this album is from the text included in Dr. Richard Nance’s setting of Psalm 36. Dr. Nance composed this Psalm setting in response to the tragic death of James Halloway, a beloved colleague in the PLU music department. Our campus community has encountered many challenges over the past four years, and we have tried to give strength and support to PLU extended family through our music making. In the wake of tragic events such as the 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina, we offer this recording as a gift of support and faith. Conducted by Kathryn Lehmann.
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Peace, Love & Hope
2004
The new album from the PLU Music department features Christmas-time selections from the Choir of the West, University Chorale, University Men’s Chorus and University Singers. This recording is a special delight and includes our prayer for light everlasting in the times we live. It includes Dale Warland’s arrangements of Of the Father’s Love Begotten and What Child Is This?, Rachmaninoff’s Glory to God in the Highest and our own Dr. Richard Nance’s arrangement of Martin Luther’s Savior of the Nations, Come. Also featured are John Paynter’s wonderful composition The Rose and Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day by John Rutter. Conducted by Richard Nance and Kathryn Lehmann.
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A Mighty Fortress
2002
From the Choir of the West 75th Anniversary Scandinavian Tour; Richard Sparks, Conductor. Much of this music was recorded live in some of the great cathedrals and churches in Norway and Sweden. The glorious acoustics of these buildings, as well as the excitement of the live performance, are all part of this recording. A Mighty Fortress captures for you the best of these concerts including two motets by Felix Mendelssohn, a powerful setting of Psalm 90 by American composer Charles Ives, and Leonard Bernstein's dramatic Choruses from The Lark. Also included are three spirituals by Moses Hogan: I’m Gonna Sing ’til the Spirit Moves in My Heart, Give Me Jesus and Glory to the Newborn King. And three pieces most closely associated with the choir over the years: Old’s arrangement of A Mighty Fortress and F. Melius Christiansen’s two great hymn settings of O Day Full of Grace and Beautiful Savior.
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Beautiful Savior
2001
The third CD made especially to capture the spirit and seasonal beauty of PLU’s Christmas Festival Celebration Concerts. Recorded in the vibrant acoustics of Lagerquist Concert Hall. With The Choir of the West, University Chorale, University Singers and University Men’s Chorus.
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Rejoice & Sing
1999
Featuring the Choir of the West, University Chorale and University Singers. Steeped in rich tradition, the PLU Christmas Festival Celebrations are held each year before enthusiastic crowds in Seattle, Portland and on the campus of PLU. We are proud of this new recording made to capture the seasonal beauty of PLU’s choral excellence. We are honored to premiere the wonderful composition Hodie Christus natus est, composed by our own Dr. Richard Nance. Also featured are familiar seasonal favorites such as Angels We Have Heard on High, Herbert Howells’ A Spotless Rose, John Rutter’s Cradle Song, Ave Maria and Ding Dong Merrily on High.
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Rachmaninoff’s Vespers
1996
Vespers is a masterpiece that combines Sergei Rachmaninoff’s own deep faith, his talents as a composer and centuries-old traditions from the Russian Orthodox church. Experience this wonderful master work, not just for its purely musical virtues, but for its expression of the spiritual life of one of the world’s great traditions. It was recorded in the richly reverberant acoustics of Lagerquist Concert Hall in the Mary Baker Russell Music Center at Pacific Lutheran University. Conducted by Richard Sparks.
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Credo
This is the premiere recording of the Gottfried and Mary Fuchs Organ, built by Paul Fritts, David Dahl performs classic organ works by Buxtehude, Krebs and Langlais, Richard Sparks directs the Choir of the West with organist James Holloway and guest musicians performing seven works, including Bruckner’s Os Justi, Mendelssohn’s Ave Maria, and Leonard Bernstein’s dynamic and exciting Chichester Psalms. Also featured is the premier recording and title work, Credo, composed by PLU’s own Richard Nance. Dr. Nance’s worshipful approach to the text of the Creed, his lush harmonies and gorgeous melodies will make this work one of your favorites.