'Where has this fabulous choir been all my life? No choral strength you can name eludes them... Chandos' usual lucid and unaffected notes, full texts and resplendent SACD-hybrid sound conspire with irresistible choral wizardry to make this an absolute must', wrote American Record Guide on Shakespeare in Song, the first release by the Phoenix Chorale (then the Phoenix Bach Choir) in 2004. Four years on and the Phoenix Chorale has released a further three discs on Chandos, in conjunction with the Kansas City Chorale, including Grechaninov's Passion Week for which choirs were nominated for five Grammys, winning in the Best Engineered Recording, Classical category. On this new SA-CD the Phoenix Chorale returns with an international anthology of songs to celebrate the Virgin Mary. The rewarding and unique programme, which includes premiere recordings, will appeal to all lovers of beautiful choral singing.
