New Album "If" (Oct 2021 release)

[Surpinto]

Wow! Thank you both for that story, I had no idea about Isaac choosing whether or not he was up to singing the piece at each concert. We know from interviews that Isaac admitted to being extremely nervous during solos; so I'm sure that having that sort of control decreased the anxiety on his part.

[maartendas]

Life has been too demanding for me to write a review of 'If', and frankly, I wonder *if* I could even manage to write one. To me, 'If' is phenomenal.

However, I would like to share my listening experience last night on the train through Austria. I had a private cabin and had dimmed the lights to look at the stars and the far away lights of hillside villages. I had put on my earphones, selected 'If', pressed play and gazed out the window. Some songs became extra powerful this way.

'If' itself was incredibly tender, more than normal.

As 'Cum Dederit' started, the Moon slid into view. A wonderful effect.

In 'Nearer my God', at the words "darkness be o'er me", a church came into view, all lit up from the outside, like a beacon in the night. I kept my gaze focused on it for as long as I could as the train passed and listening to the words I felt tears come.

'Vespera' was simply magical. I had a direct view of the brightly shining Moon, in the middle of what's called the Winter Hexagon, a hexagon-like shape made out by six stars in different constellations of the winter night sky. Luca's voice was as bright as the Moon itself - but then, during the first time that they sing "Hide me, hide me", the train passed through a tunnel for the exact duration of that part of the song! It just fit perfectly - just as it was perfect to hear the words "the stars shine out their glorious light" while seeing exactly that.

'Deep Peace' also mentions the night sky, so it was again perfect to hear the words "Moon and stars pour their healing light on you" as the train rumbled on through the Austrian hills under a clear sky of stars and the Moon in their midst.

Finally, 'Nunc dimittis' was almost like a mystical experience. Those soft flowing lines, the exquisite tenderness, matched with the passing, fleeting sights of factories, train stations and streets, with their beaming artificial lighting, somehow felt like a dream that at the same time was all too real. Looking at a world that will pass and hearing a song about letting go of life in the knowledge of everlasting peace.

So, with shorter days still ahead, perhaps try listening to 'If' under a clear sky of stars

[Surpinto]

Life has been too demanding for me to write a review of 'If', and frankly, I wonder *if* I could even manage to write one. To me, 'If' is phenomenal.

However, I would like to share my listening experience last night on the train through Austria. I had a private cabin and had dimmed the lights to look at the stars and the far away lights of hillside villages. I had put on my earphones, selected 'If', pressed play and gazed out the window. Some songs became extra powerful this way.

'If' itself was incredibly tender, more than normal.

As 'Cum Dederit' started, the Moon slid into view. A wonderful effect.

In 'Nearer my God', at the words "darkness be o'er me", a church came into view, all lit up from the outside, like a beacon in the night. I kept my gaze focused on it for as long as I could as the train passed and listening to the words I felt tears come.

'Vespera' was simply magical. I had a direct view of the brightly shining Moon, in the middle of what's called the Winter Hexagon, a hexagon-like shape made out by six stars in different constellations of the winter night sky. Luca's voice was as bright as the Moon itself - but then, during the first time that they sing "Hide me, hide me", the train passed through a tunnel for the exact duration of that part of the song! It just fit perfectly - just as it was perfect to hear the words "the stars shine out their glorious light" while seeing exactly that.

'Deep Peace' also mentions the night sky, so it was again perfect to hear the words "Moon and stars pour their healing light on you" as the train rumbled on through the Austrian hills under a clear sky of stars and the Moon in their midst.

Finally, 'Nunc dimittis' was almost like a mystical experience. Those soft flowing lines, the exquisite tenderness, matched with the passing, fleeting sights of factories, train stations and streets, with their beaming artificial lighting, somehow felt like a dream that at the same time was all too real. Looking at a world that will pass and hearing a song about letting go of life in the knowledge of everlasting peace.

So, with shorter days still ahead, perhaps try listening to 'If' under a clear sky of stars

Thanks for this. What a neat way to experience the album!

[LordG]

I found this CD+DVD Combo in my mailbox today.

You will find a making of "If" on the DVD.

So far I'm pleased with what I've found.
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if_(Japan)_2021__1500px.jpg (98.22 KiB) Viewed 5372 times

if_(Japan)_2021__1500px.jpg (98.22 KiB) Viewed 5372 times

[Surpinto]

I found this CD+DVD Combo in my mailbox today.

You will find a making of "If" on the DVD.

So far I'm pleased with what I've found.

Cool! I assume it's the same video as on their YouTube channel?

[bachmahlerfan]

Just a couple brief thoughts on a few tracks:

Vespera: Old version vs. New version: I don't know, they're both great. The solo part seems made for Steven Geraghty, but I really like Luca's voice here as well. His voice just has a fundamentally appealing sound to it. I like the addition of the low voices in the opening chant.

Ave Maria: Libera's arrangement is interesting, and I like the conviction in Tadhg's voice. However, I prefer the piece in its original form with piano accompaniment, and with an adult female soprano. Barbara Bonney's performance of this is just perfect, but there are other ones that I like as well.

Let Me Make Songs: This is one of Robert's most conventional compositions, yet I can't stop listening to this piece. The melody reflects the message very well. It's an impassioned plea, but also shows courageous determination.

Lux Aeterna: I like how the chant fits in with the rest of the piece, and how when it returns at the end, you see how it works with the chord progression. Hearing the voices alone at the end gave me a feeling of sadness knowing that Robert has passed away.

Nunc Dimittis: I think Libera brought something new to this piece with their performance. I've heard other performances of both versions of this piece, as well as the old Angel Voices version. Anyways, the contrast between Tadhg's and Dominik's voices is what stands out to me as unique in this performance. Dominik's voice serves both as a response and an echo, but it's always muted and very pure in tone. Meanwhile, Tadhg's more dramatic and raw voice is the heart of the piece. The choir gives a heavenly ambience, which is appropriate when considering the context of the words in the bible.

[Surpinto]

Thanks for your thoughts about those songs! A lot of those are the same ones that I felt compelled to comment about as well. I too like the contrasting voices in Nunc Dimittis. As you well stated Tadhg’s voice has a unique quality which suits him well for both that piece as well as Ave Maria.

[JimmyRiddle]

Some chart updates on Libera's new album (IF) as per http://www.crossovermedia.net/blog/entr ... 8E6D231F4/

"If" has charted on Billboard Japan at No2 Traditional Classical Albums. Look at some very nice photos of the display in Tower Records - Tokyo. After week 1 of the physical release, "If" has charted on Billboard US at No2 Traditional Classical Albums. On week 1 on the UK Official Charts 'If' charted No 4 - Classical Artist Albums.

Pretty decent going, although I can only see it debuting at No.14 in the UK Charts but that's for the w/e 29th Oct - it maybe charted higher the week before but not showing.

[Surpinto]

Some chart updates on Libera's new album (IF) as per http://www.crossovermedia.net/blog/entr ... 8E6D231F4/

"If" has charted on Billboard Japan at No2 Traditional Classical Albums. Look at some very nice photos of the display in Tower Records - Tokyo. After week 1 of the physical release, "If" has charted on Billboard US at No2 Traditional Classical Albums. On week 1 on the UK Official Charts 'If' charted No 4 - Classical Artist Albums.

Pretty decent going, although I can only see it debuting at No.14 in the UK Charts but that's for the w/e 29th Oct - it maybe charted higher the week before but not showing.

Wonderful! I'm sure the Japanese fans will be eager to have them back after such an extended hiatus. Wish we could fill the sort of huge concert venue they manage in Japan here in the US....or even the UK for that matter.

[bamboo]

Anyone managed to get the CD insert that lists all the instrumentalists and Libera members who participated in the recording?

[Lux Aeterna]

Anyone managed to get the CD insert that lists all the instrumentalists and Libera members who participated in the recording?

[bamboo]

Thanks! I'm just wondering why the newer boys aren't mentioned? Even though they can be seen in the Sing for Our World video..

[fan_de_LoK]

The video of 'Sing Ofr Our World' is from August 2021.
It shows three boys that were still mini-boys at that time, Pietro, Thomas M, Samuel, and that are not in the CD credits.

The logic explanation seems simple : the audio record that is on the CD does not come from what we see on the video, but from a previous recording.

[Padmachou]

The video of 'Sing Ofr Our World' is from August 2021.
It shows three boys that were still mini-boys at that time, Pietro, Thomas M, Samuel, and that are not in the CD credits.

The logic explanation seems simple : the audio record that is on the CD does not come from what we see on the video, but from a previous recording.

I'm not even sure the audio on the video is a different audio than the album. The video might just be a clip using the previous record.

[fan_de_LoK]

I'm not even sure the audio on the video is a different audio than the album. The video might just be a clip using the previous record.

Yes, I agree with you. The audio we hear in the video comes from the CD version.