Heartland Men’s Chorus Releases 9th Recording

Artistic Director Joe Nadeau included songs from the Chorus’s spring 2007 concert “Global Destinations” and its most recent concert, “Exile: The Journey Home.” “Music possesses the unique ability to communicate and connect people despite physical, cultural and language barriers,” Nadeau said. “Quest Unending looks at our di diverse world through music of many cultures. But many of the pieces have a universal theme of the journey home.”

Recorded and mastered by Jeff Schiller of Soundtrek Studios, the recording promises to capture the unique sound of Heartland Men’s Chorus as its very best. “We were fortunate to record in two amazing venues,” Nadeau said. “Last year we recorded three tracks at Bales Organ Recital Hall on the campus of University of Kansas in Lawrence. Following this year’s spring concert, we recorded a number of songs at Visitation Church. Both venues have acoustics that really enhance our sound.”

A highlight of the recording is “Last Letter Home” by Lee Hoiby. Commissioned by a consortium of men’s choruses, the song’s text features a letter by Springfi eld, Mo. native Jesse Givens to his wife, written days before he deployed for Iraq. Days after his arrival in Iraq, he died. His letter to his wife and sons is poetic in its simplicity and its message concerning the importance of family.

Also included on the recording are “Avinu Malkeinu” which features a stunning countertenor solo by Chorus member Gerald Gurss, and Stephen Paulus’s contemplative and stirring composition “The Road Home.” -- www.hmckc.org