Jessye Norman, Charles Gounod, Franz Schubert, Cesar Franck, Stephen Adams, Anonymous, English Traditional, Christmas Traditional, Robert MacGimsey, Pietro Yon, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Alexander Gibson, Ambrosian Singers, Christopher Bowers-Broadbent - Jessye Norman - Sacred Songs ~ Ave Maria, Amazing Grace, etc..

NORMAN ROOTS

Jessye Norman is no stranger to power singing and may sometimes launch herself in the Wagnerian repertoire with a vitrincracking voice on par with the greatest, such as Flagstad and Nilsson. She may outstage Callas as a Dalilah and spellbind a whole world with her renditions of Strauss'"Vier letze lieder".

Listening to her album of scared music seem to transport us into the core of human heart and love. Ms Norman excells in presence and vocal retstraint in order to translate the heartrending message of a Schubert "Ave Maria" which seldom have been better sang than by ms Norman. This seemingly simple piece is simply every singer's trap in which the true quality of the voice may be eposed and ms Norman is passing with flying colours!I have heard divas like Price and Nilsson
faring less well.

Ms Norman is wise enough to hold back that imposing vocal instrument of hers and her renditions on this album are unsurpassed. This may be the only true megastar in contemporary classic vocal music and a reminder that the Flagstads and Nilssons are not easy to live up to. Ms Norman succeeds and this Christmas Album is simply the best in it's genre and one of the best albums I ever have had the pleasure to listen to. Douglas Modig October 4, 2008

How sweet the sound!

Heaven must be missing an angel because she's here with us-singing on this disc. This is arguably one of the most beautiful recordings of sacred music ever made. Ms. Norman brings a lifetime of experience to this genre-she joined her church choir at 4! The warm acoustics make you feel like you are sitting in your favorite pew-albeit with a magnificent vocalist in the choirloft. Jessye has conquered the world's opera houses in the most demanding roles-one of which garnered her a fifty-five minute standing ovation (Salzberg). But she is most resplendent in the music of her youth. The majestic voice soars over the orchestra and chorus to deliver the full beauty of the music. Ms. Norman also performs selections with organ accompaniment-appropiate since her voice has often been compared to the king of instruments-"with all the stops pulled out"! You will hear why she is one of the most acclaimed recitalists of our time. Her expansive vocal range encompasses every nuance of the music heard here. We are taken on a journey through the entire spectrum of the category starting with a classical Mass, moving through an American spiritual and finishing with a Christmas carol that will keep you in a festive mood year 'round. Amoung the gems on this disc is an Ave Maria sung in German and arguably the most powerful solo recorded performance of "The Holy City" ever. If you want to hear what the heavenly choir sounds like before entering the pearly gates-listen to this disc. Brava Jessye! January 23, 2003

breathtaking!

The Sanctus, and the Holy City will send chills down your spine! Absolutey Breathtaking. March 21, 1999

incredibly moving

I was listening to the local public radio station when they played the Sanctus and I literally had to drive off the road to listen it was so powerfyl and moving. Jessye Norman is a national treasure. February 24, 1999

More reviews at Amazon.com ...