A notable feature of the U.S. choral scene has been the emergence of strong regional choral groups, often shaped by a single individual. In this case, it is
True Concord Voices
&
Orchestra
of Tucson, Arizona, founded and directed by
Eric Holtan
. These groups often make possible the performance and recording of ambitious choral works that might not have found an outlet with major symphony orchestra choruses. Consider the large five-movement
Earth Symphony
of a young American composer,
Jake Runestad
. It originated in a commission from the choir, and among the various environmental anthems that composers have been offering recently, it is a standout. The structure is oratorio-like, with a set of scenes rather than dramatic development. In the text by
Todd Boss
, an associate of the composer, the choir represents the Earth itself in conversations with the people who have shaped and, in many cases, damaged it.
Runestad
's music, in a common extended-tonality language, is free from sentimentality and is quite powerful at many junctures. The program opens with
Dreams of the Fallen
, a wartime reflection from the pen of
Brian Turner
that sets a very serious mood. Both the choral and orchestral performances are at a very high level and bespeak a set of musicians that have had a long association with their conductor. The
Reference Recordings
label has been adept at spotting works of this kind from outside the American mainstream, and it deserves commendation for doing so; either of these works might profitably be added to the repertories of choirs elsewhere. ~ James Manheim