Appalachian Sketches

"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."

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