Libera is vocal group of boys aged from seven to sixteen years. The total number of members in the group varies slightly from year to year, as the group changes on a regular basis. Most of the boys are members of St. Philips Choir (Norbury, South London). For the New Dawn album, 24 boys from a variety of schools and backgrounds were bought together to create a distinctive sound - most of the choristers are trebles, and sing male soprano parts. The group is directed by Robert Prizeman, who often composes some of the music and rearranges other well known classical melodies to best show the talents of the members of Libera.
So onto the album, New Dawn had a UK release date of 3rd March 2008, and a US release date of 2nd September 2008. The album comprises of 15 tracks, 14 new and a re-mix of Heaven (from the album Free). The sound is distinctive - soprano/treble voices with a range of accompaniments, from organ to full orchestra. The tracks are varied and range from re-arrangements of recent hits, Orinoco Flow (Enya 1988) to established classics such as Bach's Air on the G string.
The Tracks:
1) Orinoco Flow (words and music Enya, arrangement Robert Prizeman) A choral re-working of Enya's most famous hit, combines the lilting melody with a new sense of vigour and enthusiasm which works
surprisingly well. This track successfully combines youthful voices with an enchanting melody.
2) Ave Maria (Caccini) Solo: Tom Cully. A stunning track with haunting passages of perfectly tuned soprano voices. The vocals are accompanied by a gentle, understated organ which swells to a woodwind led bridge. The voice of Tom Cully is simply stunning and allows you to drift away in a heaven-like trance.
3) Secret (Words and music: Robert Prizeman, based on "The secret" by Armand Silvestre) Solo: Joshua Madine This is probably one of the most moving tracks in the album; a perfect fusion of beautiful lyrics and haunting melody.
I wish the dawn may know nothing of The name that I told the night I wish like mist in the morning it Drifts silently to hide away
So carry away to never see light of day Keep hidden away for eternity - a secret song.
Simply stunning to listen to, and I challenge anyone not to have a "hairs on the back of the neck moment" when listening to this track. There are not enough words in the Oxford English thesaurus to describe the beauty of this track.
4) Air on the G string (Bach, arranged by Robert Prizeman) Soloists: Tom Cully, Edward Day, Joshua Madine and Liam Connery. This is a refreshing interpretation of one of the best known classical pieces. No words, just beautiful voices in perfect harmony. I think even Bach would have approved.
5) Gloria (Composed by Saint-Saens, arranged by Robert Prizeman) A loud, organ based piece, expertly sung and accompanied by a full orchestra. This is an awesome, lavish celebratory piece of music.
6) Sancte (Words traditional, arrangement Robert Prizeman) Solo: Liam Connery This piece offers a welcomed contrast to the previous track, a quiet peaceful track accompanied by strings.
7) Rest in peace (words and music Peter Skellem) Solo: Tom Cully This is a gentle track: a chorus of voices with a soft piano accompaniment, restful and thought-provoking.
8) Love and Mercy (arranged by Rob Mathes and Robert Prizeman) Soloists: Tom Cully and Joshua Madine. My favourite track on the album: deeply moving lyrics, stunning soloist performances, an understated piano and guitar accompaniment. The lyrics "There's a lot of people out there hurting anf it really scares me" are deeply moving and made more so by the child-like quality of the voices in this arrangement.
9) May the road rise up (words traditional, music by Robert Prizeman) Solo: Tom Cully. Commencing with an atmospheric opening which immediately conjures up images of desolate, mist covered roads this piece is a gentle soothing melody.
10) Never be Alone (Music by Steven Geraghty, words by Robert Prizeman) Soloists: Joshua Madine, Tom Cully and Joseph Snelling. This track begins with the soft tinkling of bells, and a solo voice which is then echoes throughout the piece, gentle and ponderous.
11) Jerusalem (Words by William Blake, Music by CHH Parry, arranged by Robert Prizeman) Solo: Benedict Philipp. This is probably one of the best known pieces of choral music, immediately conjuring up images of last night at the Proms. This arrangement is STUNNING, Benedict begins solo, the harmonies are then introduced slowly building to a crescendo as the lyrics ask "and was Jerusalem builded here?" A full orchestral bridge links the first and second verse and the crescendo builds still further as the descant makes its appearance. The final lines are song by the full compliment and supported by a full orchestral accompaniment. An amazing arrangement which makes a shiver run up and down your spine, not just once but twice.
12) Canon (Music by Thomas Tallis, Words by Thomas Ken, arranged by Robert Prizeman) Solo: Edward Day Commencing with a solo voice, which builds to a duet and then adds harmonies until the full compliment of singers can be heard. The verses are linked by a woodwind led accompaniment until the full effect of the canon can be heard: a succession of voices singing the same melody each overlapping the other.
13) The Lamb (Words by William Blake, music by Don Kay) solo: Benedict Philipp No accompaniment for this track; just a perfect blend of voices.
14) In Paradisium (Words traditional, arranged by Robert Prizeman) solo: Edward Day. In Paradisium is a gentle lilting piece which builds to a powerful conclusion.
15) Heaven Re-Mix (Words traditional arranged by Robert Prizeman) Soloists: Joshua Madine and Liam Connery. Oh dear, this is an attempt to create an atmospheric, electronic re-mix of a track from the earlier album Free. Does it work? Well for me, no. I appreciate the attempt to make choral music accessible to people who may not ordinarily choose to listen to it, but sadly it fails - largely due to the fact that it appears to have been re-mixed by the apprentice tea-boy. It is dreadful!
The Verdict:
This is a truly awesome album that cannot fail to move even the most hard-hearted. It is the perfect background music for pilates and yoga, and is also fabulous for stretching out to after a long, muddy run.
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Orinoco Flow Ave Maria Secret (Words Based On 'Le Secret' By Armand Silveste) Bach: Air On ... more
The G String Gloria Based On 'Organ Symphony' Sancte Rest In Peace Love And Mercy May The Road Rise Up Never Be Alone Jerusalem Tallis: Canon The Lamb In Paradis...
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