Music: The spiritual music fad

How to sort out religious classics from New Age meditation | Terry Yount

What qualifies as "spiritual" these days? Why is a record label like Angel going through a whole marketing craze for spiritual awareness, angels, soul journeys, and the like? As classical CD sales sag, anything that "sells" is fair game-including religion. Less cynical observers have noted a universal hunger for spiritual things-but of what kind?

Among the best choral conductors in history, octagenarian Robert Shaw continues to teach and perform through his Choral Institutes. Evocation of the Spirit (Telarc) is a product of Mr. Shaw's French Institute, attended by some of America's brightest choral scholars. Evocation is a departure for master conductor Shaw, who demonstrates focus and energy in contemporary works by Gorecki, Pärt, Martin, Barber, and Schoenberg. Not only does his palette of color and intensity infuse works like Barber's "Adagio" (fans will appreciate the all-vocal arrangement), but his dynamic control in Gorecki's "Totus Tuus" defies description. The polish and intonation of the choir is, as usual, impeccable.

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