CHORAL REVIEW
short settings of the seven original “O” antiphons, the Magnificat antiphons used at Vespers of the last seven days of Advent. Though all are tranquil, they vary in style. The music subtly shifts from the processionlike ‘O Sapentia’ to the rich phased harmonies of ‘O Adonai’ (similar to the end of Walton’s Where Does the Uttered Music Go?), the pensive ostinatos in the “O Radix Jesse’ and ‘O Rex Gentium’ sections, and the Renaissance-like cadences in ‘O Oriens.’ It is perhaps the most compelling of all the selections and is a well-deserved finale. In Mulieribus is certainly a pleasant ensemble to listen to. Their intonation, while not perfect, is very good, with only a few brief moments where they are not locked in tune. They produce a surprisingly full sound for such a small number of singers – yet at the same time, their voices never seem pushed or strained. There is a good corporate sense of blend amongst the ensemble, and the ensemble is able to span a wide vocal and dynamic range with nary an effort. Their timbre is well suited to that of early vocal music, and most of the contemporary works here are enhanced by In Mulieribus’s clean sound. They have also clearly worked extensively to capture the nuances of these modern works. Unfortunately, despite the care taken by In Mulieribus to choose music with interesting and varied texts, not many words can easily be discerned in Cycles of Eternity. A lack of strong consonants means that many texts do not reach the listener’s ear. For some selections, it is even difficult to identify the language. The strong reverberation of the recording space
Ensemble In Mulieribus, conducted by Anna Song
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creates a beautiful yet cloudy timbre. And while In Mulieribus deserves credit for championing new composers, not many a lot of the pieces on this album are masterworks. Even with some of these issues, this remains a strong album, and one that is important to consider for fans of female vocal ensembles as well as fans of contemporary choral music. In Mulieribus’s commitment to craftsmanship, nuance, and the overall choral art make Cycles of Eternity an important album to consider and reflect the ensemble’s artistry and achievement.