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New American Choral Series: Music of Stephen Caracciolo / Cathedra Vocal Ens.; Michael McCarthy
Posted by Paul Ballyk on Oct 6, 2014 in Contemporary | 0 comments
Stephen Caracciolo writes beautiful music. However, as pleasurable as the music is of its own accord, to hear it without at the same time taking in a full understanding of the sung texts is to miss the true essence of the music. It is Stephen Caracciolo's consummate writing for chorus and the manner in which his music illuminates the text that can move the listening experience beyond enjoyable to sublime.
The music is directed by Michael McCarthy and sung by Cathedra, a professional 18 voice mixed choir formed in 2010 that is the resident chorus of Washington National Cathedral. In settings sung a cappella or with accompanying organ and, in small measure, brass quartet and timpani, the music is inspired by diverse sources from 13th century Latin hymns, through 19th century Cornish carols, the poetry of William Blake and several inspired creations of Dr. Caracciolo's own. The repertoire presented here is, in ways, similar to choral works by Ola Gjeilo, Eric Whitacre and Morten Lauridsen, however it has relatively few of the modern sounding touches common to much of these other composers' music. In terms of general tonality, you might compare Stephen Caracciolo's settings to the popular Christmas carol arrangements of John Rutter - but the waters run more deeply here; Caracciolo's musical language is plainly more profound than what was Mr. Rutter's objective in his carol settings.
The music is largely homophonic, but is also inspired by techniques common to the Renaissance - in the many polyphonic passages for example and the way the music will often open with a solo voice or unison voices before blossoming into harmony, reminiscent of the opening cantus firmus statement common to sacred Renaissance vocal music.
Anyone who enjoys ecclesiastical choral music, or lush and engaging choral singing of any kind should really seek this out. Caracciolo's music is beautifully performed by Cathedra, and the sound engineers at Gothic Records have done a fine job in balancing the direct sound of the choir with the ambient live acoustical space of Washington National Cathedral. Few could be left unmoved by this music, and many will find it to be truly uplifting, and comforting in anxious times.
The second of this series of new American choral music from the Washington National Cathedral features the popular composer Stephen Caracciolo, whose works have been performed and broadcast by many groups nationwide, including Cantus.
This is also the first recording of an elite new choral ensemble, Cathedra, based at the Washington National Cathedral and directed by Michael McCarthy.
Source: Gothic Records
 Stephen Caracciolo |
Stephen Caracciolo, composer
Stephen Caracciolo (b. 1962) is an American choral conductor recognized for his passionate artistry, creative teaching, and is a nationally known composer and arranger whose choral works have been performed throughout the United States and Europe. Stephen has guest conducted at the Capital University NOW Music Festival, at the Conservatorio Giuseppe Nicolini in Piacenza, Italy, has accepted commissions from numerous choral organizations, including Cantus, The Maryland State Boys’ Choir, the Lancaster Chorale, and the Columbus Chamber Singers, and was awarded the prestigious Individual Artist’s Fellowship in Composition from the Greater Columbus Arts Council. In 1994 Caracciolo founded BelCanto Singers, a professional performing arts organization dedicated to chamber choral music in Columbus. Under Stephen’s direction for four years, BelCanto Singers and BelCanto Soloist performances met with public praise and critical acclaim, and were frequent collaborators with Early Music In Columbus. As a choral singer, Stephen Caracciolo has performed masterworks with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Julliard School Orchestra, Indiana University Orchestra, and the American Symphony under the batons of Robert Shaw, Zubin Mehta, Riccardo Muti, Kurt Masur, Erich Kunzel, and James Levine. He currently performs as a professional bass at Washington National Cathedral. |
| Michael McCarthy |
Michael McCarthy, choral director Michael McCarthy is Director of Music at Washington National Cathedral. Previously, he was the founding director of the London Oratory School Schola at the London Oratory in London. In addition to liturgical duties, the Schola recorded for the film scores of Sleepy Hollow,The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, and the Harry Potter series. McCarthy also worked with The Sixteen, the Gabrieli Consort, The Cardinall’s Musick and the Monteverdi Choir. As a composer/arranger, his music was featured at the funeral of Ronald Reagan, the service for the second inauguration of George W. Bush, and the funeral of Gerald R. Ford, all events held at Washington National Cathedral. The Cathedral choirs have also recorded some of his music, such as “O Love of God” and “Lord of the Dance” on the CD entitled, “America the Beautiful” (2005). Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_McCarthy_(choirmaster) |
 Cathedra |
Cathedra, vocal ensemble Established in 2010, Cathedra has already achieved high acclaim, not least for its “beautiful, blended sound” (The Washington Post). Specializing in music of both the Renaissance and Baroque and a champion of the modern-day composer, Cathedra is a highly skilled ensemble of professional singers and instrumentalists, dedicated to bringing the highest form of musical expression to music from across the ages. Under the artistic leadership of Maestro Michael McCarthy, the ensemble is resident at Washington National Cathedral. Exploring new boundaries of both repertoire and presentation, Cathedra tailors its programming in such a way as to offer authenticity and originality that is both unique and compelling. |
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