CD Review: TONY ALONSO, MICHAEL MAHLER & LORI TRUE - As Morning Breaks and Evening Sets: Psalms, Canticles and Hymns for the Liturgy of the Hours, GIA
First, some background.
With the onset of the 1980’s, US Publishing Company GIA Publications became very organised and efficient at packaging and marketing Liturgical Music to a worldwide market. Some would argue they continue to do so and are now a monopoly where Liturgical Music publishing/ recording is concerned. Whether this is true or not – one thing is certain: GIA have been responsible for putting out some of the most widely recognised (and loved) Liturgical Music in the past 25 years.
There are many artists and composers on the GIA roster, but, there are three who stand out more than the others who are considered giants in the Liturgical Music world: David Haas, Marty Haugen and Michael Joncas. Ground breaking albums such as ‘Come and Journey’ (1985), ‘Mass of Creation’ (1984), ‘We Come To Your Feast’ (1991) and ‘You Are Mine: The Best of David Hass Volume 2’ (1995) have cemented these three as true leaders in the field.
I have watched with interest the way GIA have been marketing and pushing their ‘up and coming’ artists in the past few years. In 2001, Tony Alonso’s debut recording ‘Fresh As The Morning’ was heralded with much fanfare with GIA boasting Alonso as ‘the new voice in Liturgical Music’ (!). Similarly, Lori True and Michael Mahler have released a couple of albums of their own to much liturgical-critical acclaim.
Indeed, Alonso’s ‘Fresh as the Morning’ was produced by none other than David Haas himself – in a move that could be construed as a ‘passing on of the baton’ to the ‘next generation’ of Liturgical music composers. I would argue this might not be too far from the truth…and if the 1985 album ‘Come and Journey’ was a crowning jewel for GIA showcasing the extraordinary talents of Haas, Haugen and Joncas – then I think ‘As Morning Breaks and Evening Sets’ is GIA’s attempt to hold up Alonso, Mahler and True as the next ‘Holy Trinity’ in Liturgical Music. Whether or not ‘As Morning Breaks and Evening Sets’ succeeds in doing this remains to be seen – but I get the strong sense this is what GIA are hoping for and moving towards. We shall see…
Enough postulating…let’s look at the music.
We are presented with 17 tracks whose primary purpose is for use in The Liturgy of the Hours (Morning and Evening Prayer). The bulk of these are psalms, which therefore have other potential application as Responsorial Psalms at Eucharistic Celebrations.
The recording is divided into three sections: Music for Morning Prayer, Psalms for Morning and Evening and Music for Evening and Night Prayer.
‘We Arise’ begins proceedings in a sprightly fashion with a noticeable and prominent alto saxophone line running throughout played by Kenni Holman whose prowess was most clearly demonstrated on the 1997 David Haas double CD live masterpiece ‘Glory Day’. The production is crisp and the song gradually evolves working towards an inspiring choral refrain while also displaying the solo singing skills of the composer Michael Mahler and a supporting vocal by Tony Alonso.
The song ‘Fresh as the Morning’ appears on this recording in a more acoustic flavour compared to grand antiphonal choral workout it received on Tony Alonso’s debut of the same name in 2002. However, the sentiment is still as strong with the text being provided by Shirley Erena Murray who like fellow US Liturgical lyricist Ruth Duck are currently doing amazing work and writing inspiring and empowering lyrics that are popping up on many liturgical recordings.
‘Let Us Sing!’ an adaptation of the standard ‘morning’ psalm - Psalm 63, appears next with the vocal powers of Lori True rising to the occasion. The track is highlighted by the synthesizer work of Tom Franzak using a Hammond organ sound, which accentuates the gospel feeling of the song.
These first few tracks are presented in a vibrant and energetic way that would start anyone’s day off on a prayerful and joyous note. Placed in the context of Morning Prayer, these would be inspirational settings to engage with that have singable refrains.
The next section of the record is a collection of 8 Psalms that we are told can be used for either Morning or Evening Prayer. The picks of the bunch are Tony Alonso’s setting of Psalm 138 ‘You Answered Me’ which is beautifully composed and soothing on the ear…a good choice for Evening Prayer. Michael Mahler kicks things up a gear with his rollicking setting of Psalm 27 ‘The Lord Is My Light’ which could have application to the themes of the rising sun and resurrection in Morning Prayer, or could be used to highlight the Lucernarium, or lighting of the lamps or ‘Christ Light’ at Evening Prayer. The other stand out track is Tony Alonso’s ‘I Have Found My Peace’, which is a setting of Psalm 131. This is an acoustically based track with some lovely three way harmony work occurring in the refrains. An Irish tin whistle also played by Dominic Trumfino rounds the track off very well.
The recording concludes with a section devoted solely to Evening and Night Prayer. Lori True’s ‘Stay With Us, Lord’ is reminiscent of ‘Go Now In Peace’ from her 2002 ‘A Place at the Table’ recording and is quite good as an Evening Hymn. My pick of the bunch here is Tony Alonso’s ‘Let Evening Fall’, which also is an Evening Hymn. The remaining tracks, Psalm 141, and the Canticles of Mary and Simeon are solid, but do not surpass other versions I have heard elsewhere. Nevertheless, they create a prayerful mood that would be a happy addition to Evening Prayer services.
While the CD is geared towards use in Morning and Evening Prayer, I would argue that this music presented could also be used in small prayer groups or individual prayer and reflection. As Morning Breaks and Evening Sets highlights the power and adaptability of the Psalms as a wonderful resource of scriptural prayer and would be a fine addition to your music collection. It also displays the emerging talents of Tony Alonso, Lori True and Michael Mahler and certainly suggests other wonderful recordings will see the light of day by these three in the future. You need this – you know you do. Go on then…make a mad dash to Pauline Books and Media and grab yourself a copy. You won’t be disappointed.
With the onset of the 1980’s, US Publishing Company GIA Publications became very organised and efficient at packaging and marketing Liturgical Music to a worldwide market. Some would argue they continue to do so and are now a monopoly where Liturgical Music publishing/ recording is concerned. Whether this is true or not – one thing is certain: GIA have been responsible for putting out some of the most widely recognised (and loved) Liturgical Music in the past 25 years.
There are many artists and composers on the GIA roster, but, there are three who stand out more than the others who are considered giants in the Liturgical Music world: David Haas, Marty Haugen and Michael Joncas. Ground breaking albums such as ‘Come and Journey’ (1985), ‘Mass of Creation’ (1984), ‘We Come To Your Feast’ (1991) and ‘You Are Mine: The Best of David Hass Volume 2’ (1995) have cemented these three as true leaders in the field.
I have watched with interest the way GIA have been marketing and pushing their ‘up and coming’ artists in the past few years. In 2001, Tony Alonso’s debut recording ‘Fresh As The Morning’ was heralded with much fanfare with GIA boasting Alonso as ‘the new voice in Liturgical Music’ (!). Similarly, Lori True and Michael Mahler have released a couple of albums of their own to much liturgical-critical acclaim.
Indeed, Alonso’s ‘Fresh as the Morning’ was produced by none other than David Haas himself – in a move that could be construed as a ‘passing on of the baton’ to the ‘next generation’ of Liturgical music composers. I would argue this might not be too far from the truth…and if the 1985 album ‘Come and Journey’ was a crowning jewel for GIA showcasing the extraordinary talents of Haas, Haugen and Joncas – then I think ‘As Morning Breaks and Evening Sets’ is GIA’s attempt to hold up Alonso, Mahler and True as the next ‘Holy Trinity’ in Liturgical Music. Whether or not ‘As Morning Breaks and Evening Sets’ succeeds in doing this remains to be seen – but I get the strong sense this is what GIA are hoping for and moving towards. We shall see…
Enough postulating…let’s look at the music.
We are presented with 17 tracks whose primary purpose is for use in The Liturgy of the Hours (Morning and Evening Prayer). The bulk of these are psalms, which therefore have other potential application as Responsorial Psalms at Eucharistic Celebrations.
The recording is divided into three sections: Music for Morning Prayer, Psalms for Morning and Evening and Music for Evening and Night Prayer.
‘We Arise’ begins proceedings in a sprightly fashion with a noticeable and prominent alto saxophone line running throughout played by Kenni Holman whose prowess was most clearly demonstrated on the 1997 David Haas double CD live masterpiece ‘Glory Day’. The production is crisp and the song gradually evolves working towards an inspiring choral refrain while also displaying the solo singing skills of the composer Michael Mahler and a supporting vocal by Tony Alonso.
The song ‘Fresh as the Morning’ appears on this recording in a more acoustic flavour compared to grand antiphonal choral workout it received on Tony Alonso’s debut of the same name in 2002. However, the sentiment is still as strong with the text being provided by Shirley Erena Murray who like fellow US Liturgical lyricist Ruth Duck are currently doing amazing work and writing inspiring and empowering lyrics that are popping up on many liturgical recordings.
‘Let Us Sing!’ an adaptation of the standard ‘morning’ psalm - Psalm 63, appears next with the vocal powers of Lori True rising to the occasion. The track is highlighted by the synthesizer work of Tom Franzak using a Hammond organ sound, which accentuates the gospel feeling of the song.
These first few tracks are presented in a vibrant and energetic way that would start anyone’s day off on a prayerful and joyous note. Placed in the context of Morning Prayer, these would be inspirational settings to engage with that have singable refrains.
The next section of the record is a collection of 8 Psalms that we are told can be used for either Morning or Evening Prayer. The picks of the bunch are Tony Alonso’s setting of Psalm 138 ‘You Answered Me’ which is beautifully composed and soothing on the ear…a good choice for Evening Prayer. Michael Mahler kicks things up a gear with his rollicking setting of Psalm 27 ‘The Lord Is My Light’ which could have application to the themes of the rising sun and resurrection in Morning Prayer, or could be used to highlight the Lucernarium, or lighting of the lamps or ‘Christ Light’ at Evening Prayer. The other stand out track is Tony Alonso’s ‘I Have Found My Peace’, which is a setting of Psalm 131. This is an acoustically based track with some lovely three way harmony work occurring in the refrains. An Irish tin whistle also played by Dominic Trumfino rounds the track off very well.
The recording concludes with a section devoted solely to Evening and Night Prayer. Lori True’s ‘Stay With Us, Lord’ is reminiscent of ‘Go Now In Peace’ from her 2002 ‘A Place at the Table’ recording and is quite good as an Evening Hymn. My pick of the bunch here is Tony Alonso’s ‘Let Evening Fall’, which also is an Evening Hymn. The remaining tracks, Psalm 141, and the Canticles of Mary and Simeon are solid, but do not surpass other versions I have heard elsewhere. Nevertheless, they create a prayerful mood that would be a happy addition to Evening Prayer services.
While the CD is geared towards use in Morning and Evening Prayer, I would argue that this music presented could also be used in small prayer groups or individual prayer and reflection. As Morning Breaks and Evening Sets highlights the power and adaptability of the Psalms as a wonderful resource of scriptural prayer and would be a fine addition to your music collection. It also displays the emerging talents of Tony Alonso, Lori True and Michael Mahler and certainly suggests other wonderful recordings will see the light of day by these three in the future. You need this – you know you do. Go on then…make a mad dash to Pauline Books and Media and grab yourself a copy. You won’t be disappointed.
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