LIBERA

.....The distinctive sound of Libera has travelled the world in the last few years. The group's albums have topped both mainstream and classical charts in many countries, and their recordings hold their place in top-tens alongside the likes of Bocelli and Pavarotti.The boys who make up the vocal band Libera have been described as normal and ordinary. However, as their recordings and performances demonstrate, the music they produce is truly extraordinary. With shimmering, mystical chords and ecstatic harmonies, they are unlike any other group you have ever heard. At times plaintive, at others climactic and transcendent. These are truly sounds to lift the soul. Celestial sounds for a new time.Millions recognise their music, without ever knowing their name. You may have heard them singing the haunting soundtrack to Merchant Of Venice; accompanying the gruesome Hannibal; serenading Baz Luhrmanns Romeo & Juliet; abetting Gary Linekers crisp-stealing television adverts in the UK; backing Pavarotti, Elton John, or Bjork; supporting Hayley Westenra and Aled Jones; or bringing the long-running UK TV series This Is Your Life to a close.The singers of Libera who are aged seven to sixteen attend many different local schools in South London and come from a variety of backgrounds. Although they are boys and they sing, they do not think of themselves as choirboys, but rather as an alternative kind of boy band.While the unique sound of Libera may be impossible to pigeonhole, its universal appeal has endeared the group to fans all over the world, particularly in the US, the UK, Korea and Japan, where their CDs top the mainstream and classical charts and where they pack concert halls appearing in their trademark flowing white robes on imaginatively lit stages.In concept, Libera is both ancient and modern. Although the vocal sounds have their roots in cathedral and monastic music, Libera is a completely original project, which explores new ways of integrating the ancient resonances with a mainstream sound. There have been attempts to 'rock-up' plainsong in the past, and many which use treble voices as a sample, but rarely in mainstream repertoire have the voices been truly integrated into a music of their own. Amongst the particular characteristics of Libera are the innovative textures, and the expressive range of the vocals. Chillingly intimate and meditative soloists contrast with vibrant ecstatic harmonies, sometimes at the very limit of the vocal ranges. We hope these are truly sounds to lift the soul! The music is inspired by the particular sounds of the boy singers, with their unique characteristics. We try to retain the individual charms that our talented soloists bring to the music, and not to iron out their personal nuances, whilst at the same time, encouraging the blend and team work that any vocal group needs. Many of the songs are arranged or composed for particular singers. Libera came about as a style, which seemed to flow naturally from the voices. It was getting enthusiastic reactions at concerts, even amongst bigger choral works, so it gave us the confidence that there might be a wider audience for Libera. Sadly, choirs do not easily cross musical barriers. I just hoped we could create a music that would creep up on listeners, and they would appreciate it without prejudice.The twenty-four boys aged seven to sixteen who make up the vocal band Libera, and who meet several hours each week at a church in South London to rehearse and perform, have been described as "normal" and "ordinary". However, as their new EMI CD amply demonstrates, the music the produce is truly extraordinary. With shimmering, mystical chords and ecstatic harmonies, they are unlike any other group you have ever heard. Of the twelve tracks on Visions, Liberas second album for EMI Classics, a few will sound familiar, including Locus Iste, which is based on the well-known Pachelbel Canon, the hymn Abide with me, and Ave Maria. The remaining tracks are entirely original, with titles like New Day, Sing for ever and Something sings. The singers of Libera attend local primary schools and come from a variety of backgrounds. Although they are boys and they sing, they do not think of themselves as choirboys, but rather as an alternative kind of boy band. While the unique sound of Libera may be impossible to pigeonhole, its universal appeal has endeared the group to fans all over the world, particularly in the US, the UK, Korea and Japan, where their previous CDs have topped the mainstream and classical charts.Libera's chart-topping album "Free" has an alluring atmosphere of its own, with Libera sublimely blending traditional hymns, plainsong and modern compositions that instill an incredible tranquility and freedom that awakens the soul. Soaring high notes, entrancing voices, blissful harmonies, ethereal sounds and striking chords are the essence of Libera Robert Prizeman composed the songs unearthing and developing the natural vocal characteristics of each of the boys, both as part of the ensemble and as soloists. Along with its predecessors, ÔFreeÕ has a global appeal that transcends all others.A beautiful swan extends its wing against a pastel blue background on the cover of "Luminosa," and it sets the mood for the first cut, "Vespera," which begins with a Gregorian-type chant, picks up soaring synthesizer and sweet soprano harmonies, and returns to one of the loveliest solos we've heard. This is sacred choral music crossing over into New Age, the Leslie Garrett Show is big in England, and so is Libera who has had several highly successful songs in the British charts. There is a picture of the group in the center of the liner notes, 13 young boys, probably 6 to 8 years old, dressed casually, hanging out with each other. There are 12 songs here, occaisionally accompanied, but the focus is on the amazing, perfect voices of the boys. On "Ave Maria" (based on Ave Maria by Caccini), "Lacrymosa" (based on Carnival of the Animals by Saint Saens), "Sacris Solemnis" (based on Symphony No. 7: Allegretto by Beethoven) and "Semele" (from Semele by Handel), we hear these classical pieces in a new light. The title tune, based on "Clair de Lune" by Debussy, is a haunting, dreamy masterpiece, "Stabat" beautifully continues the mood, as does "Veni Sancte" and the final cut, "Sanctus II," based on Pachelbel's "Canon." Highly recommended and simply lovely throughout.