Roy Harris: American Declarations – Saint Louis Chamber Chorus

   in Choir & Organ (May, 2014)
The individuality of the texts on this CD distinguishes it from the usual run of Americana, and there is much to interest the listener here. Words bring out the creative spirit of composers, and not surprisingly Walt Whitman looms large. The Saint Louis Chamber Chorus of some 51 voices has a well-rounded, warm tone, and the singers really excel when they have something to get their teeth into. Out of a diverse programme, putting the chorus to the test is William Schuman’s cry for peace, Declaration Chorale; the dissonance portrays the unrest in society. The most individual work is Melissa Dunphy’s What do you think I fought for at Omaha …