His Majestie's Clerkes - Early American Choral Music, Vol. 1

William Billings (1746-1800) was one of the first important composers born in America. A leather tanner by trade who taught himself composition, Billings left behind some lovely, unique music that contains early indications of American musical independence. It often doesn't sound like European models. Today, Billings's music survives mostly in Southern shape-note singing, with its exciting raw tone and rhythmic vitality. But as Paul Hillier's selection demonstrates, Billings shouldn't just be characterized as musical folk artist. The "Funeral Anthem: Samuel the Priest" has harmonies so poignant that they remind us of Bach, and the brief "David's Lamentation" is a superb piece of musical characterization, heartbreakingly effective. Despite the ensemble's name, it's thoroughly American. The performances find a good middle ground between sounding too folksy and sounding too cultivated, and the group's diction is clear enough that we can do without the texts, which came with the original edition. This is a lovely disc, which will come to most listeners as a revelation. It's also an outstanding bargain. --Leslie Gerber Amazon.com

relaxiing choir music

An enjoyable choir cd, relaxing, and at the same time you feel like you're listening to a piece of American history. I often use this to help me drift into sleep. December 22, 2008

American Traditional Music at its best

After several years of singing in a church choir, I got exposed to many, many different styles of choral music. We sang modern versions of some of these songs, which were really nice. This, however, was a spectacular opportunity to hear the same music more closely to the original composition. If you enjoy choral music, this should be at least interesting to you. The performances are all a capella, lending more of a "not modern mass consumption" feel. Of course, I love a capella, so I might be a bit biased there.

Much of it is powerful. All of it is well done. The text is easily understandable - it isn't sung for some 'artistic complexity', like opera (where it sounds nice, but can't really understand what they're singing). If you are interested because of its source material (traditional Christian), you will find it pleasant, if for no other reason than to hear a different version of music you're probably familiar with: e.g. The Lord is Risen Indeed; the Rose of Sharon.

Haven't heard v.2, so can't compare it.

Definately worth the price (well, the price I'm looking at today). November 12, 2007

How well do you like this kind of music?

I ended up ordering this CD, as well as Vol. 2, and "Make A Joyful Noise: American Psalmody." I thought the quality was excellent on all three, but I wanted to say that if you're not sure how well you like this kind of music, I would recommend the American Psalmody CD instead of the two CD set. I found myself enjoying the music very much at first, but quickly losing interest as it all began to sound alike to me. February 21, 2006

A Delightful Recording

Since buying this a week or so ago, it has rarely left my CD player, and is equally pleasurable at the start or end of the day. The performances are energetic and moving, and make me long for my former days with a cathedral choir, when #16 was one of our favorites. With each hearing, I find more to delight me. (While I agree that the diction is good enough that lyrics on the liner notes aren't strictly necessary, they would have been a nice addition.) July 25, 2005

A great find--worth more than its price

This is all music by William Billings, one of the giant figures of early American church music. It is sung by a fine group that specializes in early music. The music is often hearty and pleasing, and the textual themes deal with early colonial life (e.g., harvest & the coming winter) and sometimes complex theology (e.g., pietistic interpretations of the Song of Solomon). The overall sound of the music is straightfoward, as it was no doubt to appeal to the common folk (new world Protestants). But don't let that fool you--there's high quality construction in these hymns that elevates them above folk music. Some of the songs really grab you & stay with you. This is a gift & an important part of our American heritage & culture. September 2, 2004

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