The estimable Minnesota-based Rose Ensemble, whose motto is "Awakening the Ancient," has thrown itself into repertoires as diverse as Eastern European Renaissance, Mexican Baroque, the Cantigas de Santa Maria, and traditional Hawaiian song. Here the group sings and plays "Early American Carols, Country Dances, Southern Harmony Hymns, and Shaker Spiritual Songs." The singers and players are clearly working at an exceptional level of artistic sophistication, but their skill is in the service of presenting the music with all ...
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The estimable Minnesota-based Rose Ensemble, whose motto is "Awakening the Ancient," has thrown itself into repertoires as diverse as Eastern European Renaissance, Mexican Baroque, the Cantigas de Santa Maria, and traditional Hawaiian song. Here the group sings and plays "Early American Carols, Country Dances, Southern Harmony Hymns, and Shaker Spiritual Songs." The singers and players are clearly working at an exceptional level of artistic sophistication, but their skill is in the service of presenting the music with all the artless simplicity in which it was conceived and originally performed. The small vocal ensemble and soloists sing with absolute purity and unmannered charm. There is an assortment of vocal pieces -- solos, small ensembles, and choruses -- some a cappella and some chastely accompanied by folk instruments. These works intriguingly demonstrate the distinctiveness of 18th and 19th century American musical culture, particularly the tug between European traditions and emerging American...
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