Hampson Sisler - Hampson Sisler: Songs of the Sages - Orchestral and Choral Music (LP)

Hampson Sisler's "Songs of the Sages - Orchestral and Choral Music" is a captivating collection of choral and orchestral works that showcases the composer's unique blend of spiritual and natural themes. Released on MSR Classics in 2008, this album spans a decade of Sisler's creative output, from the early 1980s to the mid-2000s.

The album opens with the triumphant "To Life - Orchestral Fanfare," a stirring piece that sets the tone for the rest of the collection. The centerpiece of the album is the "Songs of the Sages" cantata, a three-movement work that draws on wisdom from the Bible and the Apocrypha. The cantata is performed by a narrator, chorus, orchestra, and organ, creating a rich and textured soundscape that is both powerful and intimate.

Other highlights include the "Four Anthems for Mixed Chorus," a set of sacred choral works that explore themes of redemption, penance, and peace. The "Nature’s Terrorists Orchestral Suite" is a fascinating exploration of the natural world, with each movement focusing on a different predator, from piranhas to killer bees.

Throughout the album, Hampson Sisler's music is characterized by its lush harmonies, intricate rhythms, and vivid orchestration. Whether you're a fan of choral music, orchestral works, or simply looking to discover new and exciting composers, "Songs of the Sages - Orchestral and Choral Music" is sure to delight and inspire.