Appalachian Sketches Featuring Mark O'Connor's "Let Us Move" CD

Track 1 - Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal

Track 2 - His Voice as the Sound

Track 3 - Bright Canaan

Track 4 - O Thou, in Whose Presence

Track 5 - New Concord

Track 6 - Let Us Move

Track 7 - Begin My Soul

Track 8 - Tender Thought: Psalm 139

Track 9 - Social Band

Track 10 - Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head

Track 11 - Resignation

Track 12 - I Will Arise

Track 13 - Lorena

Track 14 - Holy Manna

Track 15 - Angel Band

Track 16 - Death Shall Not Destroy

Track 17 - Vernon

Track 18 - Foundation

"For many listeners, the chief interest of this recording will be the presence of popular fiddler/composer Mark O'Connor and the premiere of his piece Let Us Move, a 15-plus-minute work based on an original melody set to Charles Wesley's beloved hymn text, Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia!...It's presence on a program of authentic folk hymns and ballads from Appalachia including settings from original sources and arrangements by authorities such as John Jacob Niles and Alice Parker is seemingly justified by the text's long tradition in American church hymnals and because of O'Connor's current popularity for his Appalachia-themed instrumental works, themes continued here by O'Connor's insertion of his own improvisatory-style fiddling at various points throughout the piece.

...In many circles Let Us Move will be highly praised for its built-in energy, its frequently catchy rhythms and appealing melodic/harmonic effects and for the way it appears to cleverly combine elements of early American musical styles with more modern features...The rest of the program offers well-chosen examples of the repertoire promised by the disc's title and liner notes early American folk-hymns and arrangements, performed in Gloriae Dei Cantore's usual expert, technically assured, stylistically appropriate manner. This choir...has vast experience in performance of all sorts of repertoire, but director Elizabeth Patterson always is careful to honor the music's historical context and most importantly the words. And we hear every one, delivered with conviction and concern for balance among sections and overall ensemble blend...I highly recommend Gloriae Dei Cantores' performances, available on numerous recordings of this same label."

- Classics Today    

In Appalachian Sketches, one of America's finest choral groups, Gloriae Dei Cantores, turns their attention to a rarely heard set of pioneer American folk hymns. A highlight of the set is the premiere recording of Let Us Move, featuring the well-known violinist Mark O'Connor. Here O'Connor continues to merge his formal virtuosity and training with his early love of traditional Appalachian folk music, and takes both in new directions. The result are both exhilarating and evocative, and one of the most successful and creative collaborations in recent memory.

- Charles K. Wolfe, music historian

What a delight!...Ms. Patterson's group is just excellent lovely tone, immersion in the text, and understanding of the style. I loved hearing the sympathetic performances of the Eight Mountain Hymns as well as the better-known arrangements. And Mark O'Connor's composition is just lovely wonderful to hear the violin moving around, within, above the voices. It's very imaginative and appealing.

- Melodious Accord