Voces8, Dan Forrest, Ola Gjeilo, et Vox Anima London Singers

From the outset my expectations were high as I have sung his works for the past 10 years. The evening concert with Missouri State University Chorale performing selections from Ola’s Northern Lights with him at the piano and the choir a cappella were sublime. The open harmonies, dissonance their resolutions and the Chorale’s direction and performance were perfect. The concert ended with a selection of spirituals (yes Alice Parker) but joined with new pieces and composers. But the final performance of the evening was of Ola’s 2007 opus: Ubi Caritas which is usually performed a cappella but this evening had Ola improvising on the piano with the Chorale. This already epic piece of liturgical music perfection was taken in a new direction and enhanced by the composer in a way that will never be heard again (improvised). I traveled 700 miles to attend the concert. Glad I did.