Geoffrey Williams reviews Benedict Sheehan and The Saint Tikhon Choir’s recording of Benedict Sheehan’s Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom for The Living Church Magazine:
“Sheehan and his fine singers have brought to life a new piece that bridges the gap both between the centuries and between the traditions of East and West. The choir is a blend of seminarians and professional choral artists from across the country. This blend is apparent in the cohesive singing, but also in the clear, shared intent of interpretation, a credit to the composer as conductor. … this performance sets a new standard for excellence in the American choral landscape. … this performance expresses text with a fresh clarity of intention from movement to movement. … Sheehan’s compositional voice follows in the footsteps of the 20th and 21st century phenomena Arvo Pärt, Jon Tavener, and Ivan Moody, taking a uniquely American approach and color when paired with the influence of ancient chant. This approach is remarkably unsentimental, which reflects a real sense of compositional maturity. … [a] vibrant contribution to the choral repertoire both in and outside of the Lord’s temple.”
—Geoffrey Williams, The Living Church
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