Album Notes

Cantus, one of America’s premiere male vocal ensembles, proudly announces the release of its latest album, Cantus. Recorded during the ensemble’s tenth anniversary, the album represents the diverse repertoire and fine ensemble singing that has made it one of the most successful vocal groups in the world.

“Our goal was to present, on disc, what Cantus has become,” says Cantus Artistic Director and the album’s producer Erick Lichte. “This disc really has it all, from the beauty of Poulenc’s settings of St. Francis’ prayers, and the heartrending emotion of Last Letter Home, whose text comes from an American soldier killed in Iraq, to the exotic sounds of a Classical Indian raga and the cartoonish lunacy of Casey at the Bat and Pseudo Yoik.”

“Many of these pieces have been concert favorites for years but are just now getting recorded. It was nice to create an album that didn’t have an overarching concept or theme. It was our intent to create a disc that mirrored the live experience we bring to audiences around the country. In many ways, the theme of Cantus is Cantus!”

For the past twelve years, Cantus has gained recognition as one of America’s finest professional male vocal ensembles. As one of the few full-time vocal ensembles in the world, the ensemble enjoys a vigorous schedule of national tours, subscription concerts in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, several innovative residencies, collaborations, educational programs and recording. Cantus has been praised by critics and the public alike for its broad repertoire, bold ensemble singing and engaging stage presentation.

This is Cantus’ eleventh commercial CD release.