Comments on: Classical CD Review: Boston Secession

By: Classical CD Review: Boston Secession

Classical CD Review: Boston Secession — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:48:44 +0000

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By: Thomas Garvey

Thomas Garvey — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:38:49 +0000

I’ve been meaning to write something about this CD for some time. Boston Secession definitely rocks. The only thing I would add is that few listeners would glean from this CD the full breadth of the group’s work. “Surprised by Beauty” is Boston Secession at its most solemn. A typical Secession concert, however, is a balancing act between this kind of gorgeous depth and a genuine musical friskiness that is often literally hilarious. I can’t think of a Secession concert that hasn’t both moved and tickled me. It’s a shame that too many people imagine choral music can’t be “cool,” because Boston Secession demonstrates both how unpretentious, and how musically exciting, choral music can be. For more information about the group and its upcoming season, check out their website.

By: Keith Hampton

Keith Hampton — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:44:00 +0000

Thank you for this review. I find it interesting that Secession is alternately praised and criticized for that pesky word: minimalism. The music, production, and performances themselves are universally well-received.

Jane Ring Frank’s thesis in the concept of this recording is supported by the controversy itself–that the beauty of these works transcends genres while using a small amount of content to generate a vast emotional effect. That is why reviewers are indeed “surprised by beauty;” they are astonished at the contrast between their own (or their analysis of society’s) understanding of minimalism, and Secession’s execution of it on this CD.

This all makes for fascinating reading and listening.