Album

American composer Carson Cooman, born in 1982, has had an extraordinarily productive career; by the time he was 25, his opus numbers were in the mid-700s. He has written in a broad range of genres, including operas, musicals, orchestral, chamber, keyboard, vocal, and choral music. This selection of sacred choral music, some a cappella and some with organ accompaniment, dates from 2002 to 2006. The pieces are arranged according to the order of the liturgical year. Cooman's choral writing is comfortably situated in the mainstream of late twentieth century British and American traditions. It's possible to hear echoes of John Rutter, William Mathias, and Morten Lauridsen in his harmonic language and general style—it's tonally rich, with clear text setting and an immediately appealing sound. While it may not break any new ground (which should certainly not be demanded of a composer's works written when he was in his early twenties), it is always skillfully, confidently and inventively executed, and it has a rhythmic vitality and drive that make it very attractive. While he includes some standard Biblical and hymn texts, Cooman has broad and deep literary tastes and sets some intriguing poetry. These anthems, motets, and carols were all commissioned by experienced and accomplished choirs, and since Cooman takes full advantage of their skills, the level of difficulty puts most of the pieces outside the range of the average parish choir. The Choir of Royal Holloway, University, conducted by Rupert Gough and accompanied by organist Samuel Rathbone, sings with clarity and expressiveness. Naxos' sound is only adequate—a little boomy and distant.

© Stephen Eddins, All Music Guide

CD 1
Carson Cooman Composer Adam Lay Ybounden, for chorus & organ, Op.576 Work Samuel Rathbone Organ, Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London Chorus/Choir
1	Adam Lay Ybounden, for chorus & organ, Op.576	1:57			$0.99
Carson Cooman Composer In the Beginning Was the Word, for chorus & organ, Op.161 Work Samuel Rathbone Organ, Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London Chorus/Choir
2	In the Beginning Was the Word, for chorus & organ, Op.161	2:43			$0.99
Carson Cooman Composer A Cosmic Prayer, for chorus, Op.460 Work Samuel Rathbone Organ, Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London Chorus/Choir
3	A Cosmic Prayer, for chorus, Op.460	2:55			$0.99
Carson Cooman Composer New World Carols: An American Christmas Triptych, for chorus & organ, Op.515 Work 11:24 Samuel Rathbone Organ, Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London Chorus/Choir, Charlotte Nettleship Alto
4	1.Do You Know the Song?	3:24			$0.99
5	2.In a Lowly Manger Sleeping	3:46			$0.99
6	3.The Sky Can Still Remember	4:14			$0.99
Carson Cooman Composer Builders for Christ, for chorus & organ, Op.498 Work Samuel Rathbone Organ, Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London Chorus/Choir
7	Builders for Christ, for chorus & organ, Op.498	4:39			$0.99
Carson Cooman Composer O Perfect Life of Love, for chorus & organ, Op.361 Work Rebecca Henning Soprano, Samuel Rathbone Organ, Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London Chorus/Choir
8	O Perfect Life of Love, for chorus & organ, Op.361	3:34			$0.99
Carson Cooman Composer Premat Mundus, for voice & chorus, Op.597 Work Samuel Rathbone Organ, Richard Rowntree Tenor, Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London Chorus/Choir
9	Premat Mundus, for voice & chorus, Op.597	2:31			$0.99
Carson Cooman Composer The Way, the Truth, the Life, for chorus & organ, Op.381 Work Samuel Rathbone Organ, Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London Chorus/Choir, Fiona Hunt Soprano, Tom Cockett Tenor
10	The Way, the Truth, the Life, for chorus & organ, Op.381	3:31			$0.99
Carson Cooman Composer God, You Move Among Us, for chorus & organ, Op.657 Work Samuel Rathbone Organ, Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London Chorus/Choir
11	God, You Move Among Us, for chorus & organ, Op.657	2:55			$0.99
Carson Cooman Composer Easter Triuimph! Easter Joy!, for chorus & organ, Op.585 Work Samuel Rathbone Organ, Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London Chorus/Choir
12	Easter Triuimph! Easter Joy!, for chorus & organ, Op.585	3:37			$0.99
Carson Cooman Composer Missa Brevis, for chorus & organ, ("Trottier"), Op.558 Work 9:08 Rebecca Henning Soprano, Samuel Rathbone Organ, Rebecca Newman Alto, Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London Chorus/Choir
13	1.Kyrie	2:45			$0.99
14	2.Gloria	1:25			$0.99
15	3.Sanctus	1:59			$0.99
16	4.Agnus Dei	2:59			$0.99
Carson Cooman Composer I Will Pour Out My Spirit, for chorus & organ, Op.683 Work Samuel Rathbone Organ, Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London Chorus/Choir
17	I Will Pour Out My Spirit, for chorus & organ, Op.683	3:41			$0.99
Carson Cooman Composer Be Present, Holy Trinity, for chorus & organ, Op.586 Work Samuel Rathbone Organ, Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London Chorus/Choir
18	Be Present, Holy Trinity, for chorus & organ, Op.586	5:08			$0.99
Carson Cooman Composer O Bone Jesu, for chorus & organ, Op.517 Work Samuel Rathbone Organ, Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London Chorus/Choir
19	O Bone Jesu, for chorus & organ, Op.517	3:27			$0.99
Carson Cooman Composer Psalm 66 (Be Joyful in God), for chorus & organ, Op.664 Work Samuel Rathbone Organ, Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London Chorus/Choir
20	Psalm 66 (Be Joyful in God), for chorus & organ, Op.664	3:33			$0.99
Carson Cooman Composer The Lamp of Charity, for chorus, Op.489 Work Samuel Rathbone Organ, Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London Chorus/Choir
21	The Lamp of Charity, for chorus, Op.489	3:29			$0.99
Carson Cooman Composer Prayer of Julian of Norwich, for chorus & organ, Op.528 Work Samuel Rathbone Organ, Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London Chorus/Choir
22	Prayer of Julian of Norwich, for chorus & organ, Op.528	2:38			$0.99
Carson Cooman Composer Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis, for chorus & organ, Op.470 Work 7:43 Samuel Rathbone Organ, Choir of Royal Holloway, University of London Chorus/Choir
23	1.Magnificat	4:11			$0.99
24	2.Nunc dimittis	3:32			$0.99