South Dakota Chorale
Founding bass and Artistic Advisor
"O Adonai", Sieben Magnificat Antiphonen; Arvo Pärt.
℗2015 Pentatone.
"Awake, O North Wind", Four Songs of Love; Sven-David Sandström. ℗2015 Pentatone.
"His Left Hand", Four Songs of Love; Sven-David Sandström. ℗2015 Pentatone.
"...more than well suited to this full-bodied repertoire. They address the common lyricism of the music through a warmth of sound and sonority that is not only notably varied in tone and colour but which is all but perfect in blend, ensemble and intonation..."
-Gramophone
"...show the boundless possibilites of the human voices as a musical instrument... a truly absorbing listening experience."
"The performances delivered by the South Dakota Chorale and conductor Brian A. Schmidt are of the highest standards, with special credits to multiple Grammy-winning producer Blanton Alspaugh for shaping a full, crystalline sound. Those who decide to devote something short of an hour to hearing these Sacred Songs of Life and Love can expect plenty of rewards in return; from awe, mysticism, and reverence to pure bliss and serenity."
-Holland Times (full review)
"Natural fluid phrasing characterizes the singing, and the sound is excellent. Four stars."
-BBC Music Magazine
On a live performance of the album's music at the 2015 ACDA National Convention at the Mormon Tabernacle and Abravanel Hall, Salt Lake City:
"...absolutely riveting performance by the Chorale. This was one of the highlight reel performances of ACDA's four days. In fact, I don't think I heard a more amazingly flawless program from any other choir in the four days at Salt Lake City.
The programming and pacing was perfect on many levels, the singing was incredibly rich and highly professional without ever sounding like a group of pros phoning in a performance...
The repertoire was kick-ass... like a flourless dark chocolate cake paired with a bad-boy Cab Sav."
-Paul Carey, composer/conductor (full review)
In Paradisum from Durufle's Requiem.
SDC's debut album "In Paradisum", part of Blanton Alspaugh's 2013 Grammy® for "Best Classical Producer".
"I then spent the next 40 minutes in choral heaven...I do believe I’ve found a new favorite performance of this ravishing music. Few American choirs (or for that matter, any others) have made this kind of open-mouthed, soul-satisfying first impression on me."
-American Record Guide (full review)
"...This professional ensemble introduces its kaleidoscopic sense of choral sonority...rich and empassioned lines that are distinctive in shape, shading, and personality...a luminous account of the Durufle..."
-Gramophone (full review)
Schola Antiqua of Chicago
"...first class in every respect.."
-Chicago Classical Review
"...musicality and sound are beyond question..."
-Early Music America