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The A Cappella Singer
Douglas Frank Chorale
Award-winning debut recording of a famous collection of mostly Renaissance madrigals, part songs and dance tunes. "The ensemble singing is excellent...probably the best collection of madrigals to be found anywhere." - Ward Swingle, The Swingle Singers
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Description
BEST CLASSICAL ALBUM
2001 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards
HISTORY
In 1936 the E. C. Schirmer Music Company published a collection of 30 works chosen and edited by its editor-in-chief, Henry Clough-Leighter. This collection, "The A Cappella Singer," became one of the most widely circulated and often printed music anthologies in the 20th century. Its success lay partly in the variety of its works - Italian madrigals, French chansons, English madrigals, even a pair of Russian romantic part-songs. In essence, "The A Cappella Singer" achieved what so many Renaissance collections sought to achieve and did - popularity and demand - with a well-chosen assortment of popular music from the Renaissance and spanning four centuries as well. Set to texts that are alternately playful, contemplative, bawdy and full of double entendre, these selections can be immediately engaging to performer and audience alike.
The award-winning, first-ever recording of "The A Cappella Singer" by the Douglas Frank Chorale includes all 30 works and 28 pages of program notes with complete texts and new translations, updated to a contemporary adult sensibility.
REVIEWS
"The ensemble singing is excellent...probably the best collection of madrigals to be found anywhere."
- Ward Swingle, The Swingle Singers
"This professional choral ensemble from New York is the first to have recorded this famous collection of Renaissance madrigals and dance tunes published by E. C. Schirmer in 1936. The book includes fanciful ditties and serious madrigals by popular composers of the time (like Morley, Weelkes, Gibbons, Byrd), and the group does them justice here with lots of expression and fine musicianship. Fa-la-la-lovely!"
- Don Gooding, Mainely A Cappella
"The Douglas Frank Chorale is a marvelous professional group...which brings to exuberant life one of the best known choral repertoires of last century."
- John Neal, Primarily A Cappella
"This group truly shines with beautiful tuning, balance and musicianship. The singers are talented and very much at home in the various musical styles they explore. Further, easily maneuvering through homophonic and contrapuntal settings, through English, French, German and Italian, these singers are clearly dedicated to their craft. As a concept, the album is flawless. The extensive liner notes, replete with both biographical information about each composer and specific details about each song, greatly enhance the listening experience. Other groups recording period music could take a lesson from this album in how to take the edge off music which, for many less adventurous listeners, is often discarded as dated, inaccessible and unintelligible...a must-buy."
- Elie Landau, Recorded A Cappella Review Board
"This album is a collection of some of the best music available from the Renaissance period - almost a greatest hits album, if you will. 'Matona, mia cara' is the essence of what I expect out of an album of this nature. Great dynamics, diction, style and musical passion. I dare any chorale in the nation to sing the 'Don, don don, diri, diri, don, don' refrain better than the Douglas Frank Chorale. It's just not possible. In 'Rest, Sweet Nymphs,' the Douglas Frank Chorale creates the texture and haunting melody of this madrigal almost better than the composer could've imagined. I think I speak for everyone else in the world by saying, 'Thank you.' The Douglas Frank Chorale deserves a lot of credit for a good project. Truly a treasure to add to your music collection."
- Jonathan Sears, Recorded A Cappella Review Board
"Congratulations and thank you to Mr. Frank and the Douglas Frank Chorale for doing what someone should have done decades ago: recording the immortal 'The A Cappella Singer' front to back. Teachers and directors will rejoice to finally have a reference for choosing and teaching 'The A Cappella Singer' pieces in their classrooms. But the Chorale didn't create some publisher's sampler here. Instead they expanded and updated the songs 'to a contemporary adult sensibility' (to quote the marvelous liner notes) all the while observing traditional balance and voicings. All in all, a worthy addition to both the casual and professional music library, as a teaching tool or a soundtrack for a relaxing day at home."
- Brock Harris, Recorded A Cappella Review Board
THE NEW FACE OF CHORAL MUSIC
The Douglas Frank Chorale is an ensemble of exceptional singers that is devoted to redefining choral music performance in the 21st century and to bringing outstanding artistic experiences to diverse audiences. The Chorale serves this mission by:
- Performing the great works of primarily a cappella choral repertoire for smaller ensembles, from beloved madrigals to 21st century compositions, sung at the highest artistic levels.
- Offering world-premieres by especially gifted composers, special "theme" programs, and rarely heard and crossover repertoire.
- Commissioning and collaborating in innovative new Inter-Arts programs that unite music with dance, theater, and the visual arts.
- Holding outreach concerts and seminars to inspire students and help build the arts audiences of tomorrow.
AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT
The Douglas Frank Chorale was founded in 2000 after years of careful planning and preparation, and its impact on the world of choral music was immediate. In 2001, the Chorale's debut CD - the first-ever recording of a famous 1936 collection of mostly Renaissance madrigals, part songs and dance tunes, "The A Cappella Singer " - was nominated with some of today's most-respected vocal ensembles worldwide (Anonymous 4, Chanticleer, the Tallis Scholars) and won the distinguished Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA) for Best Classical Album.
HELPING US SERVE OUR MISSION
The Douglas Frank Chorale is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that looks to the generosity of those who share in its musical and community goals, and to working in partnership with other cultural organizations to develop its programs. The Douglas Frank Chorale is a professional member of Chorus America and CASA, supports ChoralNet, the Dance Insider and Vocal Area Network, and abides by AEA, AFTRA and AGMA work rules. Artists are paid for all rehearsals, performances and recordings - to help support their work and their lives. Thank you for helping us serve our mission and its goals with your attendance, comments and support.
DOUGLAS FRANK
The Chorale's founder and director, Douglas Frank, attended Oberlin College and was trained as a vocalist and conductor at the Oberlin Conservatory. He has appeared frequently over the past 20 years as a tenor soloist, followng a 10-year professional childhood acting and singing career. In forming the Chorale, he turned his attention from a highly successful business in marketing and advertising to pursuing the art form he loves, and helping to revitalize the vocal arts audience.
Known for his creativity, integrity, and moving artistry, Douglas Frank began performing professionally at age five. Educational recordings with Rosemary Rice for Allyn and Bacon were followed by six children's albums, a leading role in the award-winning film, "A Very Special Day," plus dozens of on-camera and voice-over industrials. Millions remember his original solo jingle, "What kind of kids love Armour hot dogs?" voted by Ad Age as sixth best of all time.
His passion for ensemble singing was ignited by his great friend and teacher, Harold Aks, while attending the Dalton School in New York City. He has enjoyed performing as a tenor soloist for the Dalton School to the Oberlin College Choir to the Dessoff Choirs to the Dalton Alumni Chorale. He studied conducting with Harold Aks, Daniel Moe, Robert Shaw and William Weinert, and is an active member of the ACDA. He founded and conducted the Oberlin Madrigal Singers while a student there, and today combines a uniquely heartfelt exuberance with the highest artistic standards for the Chorale. He adores and admires his wonderful children, Griffin and Caroline.