Boston Baroque: Lost Music of Early America – Music of the Moravians

Boston Baroque is my CD recommendation for the week.  It has been a few weeks since I last advocated any music so it about time to put forth another selection.  Unfortunately, Amazon does not have this CD set up to listen to short selections from the Lost Music of Early America, so just take my word that this is a worthwhile recording.  Be forewarned that it is early American religious music.  The songs are melodious.  After all, it is baroque.  What I particularly enjoy about this recording is the supporting orchestra.

This Amazon review captures the spirit of this recording.

“This recording truly seems to capture the spirit of the music. As someone who grew up singing in the Moravian church, this CD is a FIND. I listened with joy and surprise to this collection. The execution is tender, passionate, thoughtful. The balance between vocals and chamber orchestra is lovely, as close to perfect as one might imagine. I know many of the works on this CD as hymns and choral anthems, albeit in English. The uplifting musicality as an important part of worship was and continues to be part of the life of the Moravian church. The Moravian tradition embodies folk music in an authentic fashion, where the music of the church is truly the music of the people. Singing is a part of all activities within the church, providing a fabric through which fellowship and goodwill can flow. Somehow, the spirit of the context is captured here. The commentary by Martin Pearlman is quite informative and respectful. For individuals for whom music in the church has been more than an interlude in worship, for other Moravians out there who are far from the fold and can still hear the echoes, for those who are curious and want to listen to something slightly, pleasantly, off the beaten path, you will not be disappointed.”

Photograph:  The photograph was captured in the summer of 2008 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, not far from one of the areas settled by Moravians.