The Ultimate Collection. 2011-2013

Bel Canto Choir & Friends. Live from St. Catherine’s Church in Vilnius

The album of Bel Canto Choir Vilnius – Bel Canto Choir Vilnius. The Ultimate Collection. 2011-2013 – is a collection of the most beautiful songs performed and recorded live by the Choir in 2011-2013. It is compiled exclusively for online music stores iTunes, Amazon and Spotify.

The Collection features eleven songs of contemporary choral and popular music. The Choir has received numerous compliments and positive reviews from the composers of the songs performed by the Bel Canto Choir Vilnius.

Michael McGlynn, the renowned Irish composer and leader of the Anúna choir, wrote the following feedback after listening to Rising of the Sun by Bel Canto Choir Vilnius: “I have to say that this is EXCELLENT! Well done everyone – amazing solo too!” (Michael McGlynn).

The Choir’s interpretation its of one of the most-liked songs – Ave Maria from the motion picture Modigliani about Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani – was praised by the film director, Mick Davis. He sent the following compliment to the Bel Canto Choir Vilnius: “I love what you did with Ave Maria from my movie Modigliani.”

The performance of the Bel Canto Choir Vilnius has also been highly appreciated by famous Irish novelist and composer Brendan Graham, author of the Choir’s favorite songs You Raise Me Up and The Blessing: “It is a great honor to have the wonderful Bel Canto Choir Vilnius performing a number of my songs and performing them so beautifully. The version of “The Blessing” is spellbinding.” (Brendan Graham).

The Choir has received excellent feedback from composer Patrick Liebergen, whose arrangement of Pavane for a Silent Night was performed and recorded live by the Bel Canto Choir Vilnius at its Christmas Concert in 2012: “Greetings to the absolutely wonderful singers of the Bel Canto Choir! I just discovered your excellent recording of my arrangement “Pavane for a Silent Night” and I love your most outstanding performance! Best regards to your director and all musicians in your group from the USA!” (Patrick Liebergen).

Bel Canto Choir Vilnius’ musical collection also features two beautiful pieces of contemporary choral music: Sure on this Shining Night by famous US composer Morten Lauridsen and O Salutaris Hostia by Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds.

In addition, the collection features a very special piece – Ukrainian Christmas carol Shchedryk arranged by the composer Mykola Leontovych. This song gave birth to a world famous Carol of the Bells. Bel Canto Choir Vilnius presents the original version of Shchedryk, performed in the Ukrainian language.

Soloists and musicians

Bel Canto Choir Vilnius, soloists Joana Gedmintaitė, Lina Dambrauskaitė, Milda Baronaitė, jazz vocalist Jurgis Brūzga, pianist Artūras Anusauskas, violinist Artūras Šilalė, piper Vytautas Linkevičius and drummer Saulius Auglys-Stanevičius.