great review

The British classical music magazine Gramophone just wrote a wonderful review of Seattle Pro Musica's new CD, American Masterpieces, which features a stellar recording of winter. They included some really nice things about the piece as well as the choir's performance.

Also worthy are Eric Whitacre's Lux Aurumque, with its shimmering textures (quite Lauridsen-like), and especially Joshua Shank's winter. The longest work here at 7'51", Shank's e.e. cummings setting is evocative and atmospheric, the 28-year-old composer distilling a sustained mood most impressively, with the chorus providing glowing advocacy."

Lawrence A. Johnson, Gramophone, October 2008

I love the last 5 words because he is completely on the mark. The choir just "gets it" and the result is an astonishing and intensely compelling performance that demands the audience to listen. It must have been no easy task and I'm incredibly grateful that Maestra Thomas decided to program it.