Angel Voices: Libera In Concert

It is hard to create a good enough title for this review. I'm simply grateful that this amazing peace of work was done. If there's something beyond life, there's certainly something of it in the music of Libera. I've watched the DVD more than ten times and it still gets me to tears. It is simply so beautiful. The professionalism that shows in every aspect of this video is awesome. From the first moment on you are captivated by the beauty of the songs and the simple but powerful settings. The camera work, lighting, simple choreography, introductions, everything works.I would like to mention some aspects that I highly appreciate in Libera and in this DVD. First is that the young people are given the whole stage, they represent themselves, their music and the support personnel. All the adults stay in the background. Even the creator and heart of the group, Robert Prizeman, stays in the shadows, giving very small instructions. Second, the spirit of Libera is clearly visible, the joyful, loving attitude towards the music and singing. Third, the fact that some of the boys who join Libera, can continue singing even after their voice breaks, and even after that to help in composing and other practical work. It seems like a family and it shows in the video. Fourth, that the young people are given great responsibility from the rehearsals to the live performances, the peer supporting seems to really work.I've been working for some time with youth and I believe that Libera has something special to contribute to youth work. I hope that Libera and especially Robert Prizeman could reveal some day even more about the everyday practice of the choir.I want to thank everybody involved in this project and give special thanks to Josh (Joshua Madine) for great attitude and smile, I always get into good mood from your smile, to Tom (Cully) for your magic trick, humor and your wonderful voice especially in Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep, it always seems to get my eyes wet, to Ed (Edward Day) for the work you've done, it has certainly paid off, for mini-Ben (Benedict Philipp) for the well done introduction speech and of course the solos, to Liam (Connery) and Joe (Joseph Snelling) for your relaxed and peaceful performance, to Michael (Horncastle), Conor (O'Donnell) and Callum (Payne) for your supporting low voices, to brothers Sam (Leggett) and Alex (Alexander) for your concentration and enthusiasm, to Michael (Vereycken), Tom (Thomas) and Oliver (Cole), Jonathan (Barrington), Jacob (Wood), Tiernan (Branson), Zack (Lockett) for the amazing performance and perfect singing, to Fiona Pears for the wonderful violin solos, and of course to Robert Prizeman for making it all possible. I certainly hope to be able to see you live some day.If there's something to improve, it is to make the next DVD release in double layer format, I'm sure there's enough material to fill a full DVD.I hope that EMI Classics will keep on investing time and money in Libera.

If you're like me, you usually run into boys' choir performances at Christmas and that's about it. But one Christmas I discovered Libera and found they were a boys' choir for all seasons. This DVD touches on Christmas repertoire only in the bonus tracks and otherwise contains original Libera material, touching on most of their hits up to the time of the recording (May 2007). These are mostly original works by their conductor, Robert Prizeman or his adaptations of classical works. A section of Holst's Jupiter becomes an ode to England (I Vow To Thee My Country) and Saint-Saens Aquarium from The Carnival of the Animals gets a delightfully eerie treatment as Lacrymosa, and everyone will recognise the source of Sanctus.It would seem that Mr. Prizeman wanted to expand both the material and the style of the typical boys' choir and this he has done admirably. Nothing wrong with the traditional material, but sometimes it can sound old fashioned and overly formal for our age. Libera sounds fresh and contemporary with complex rhythms and harmonies that though somewhat influenced by New Age music, especially Enya, are still very much their own. By retaining the older boys whose voices have broken to supply backup for the trebels, he has found a way to keep the choir from sounding too high pitched. Moreover, when you pay attention to the lyrics - and the DVD thoughtfully provides optional subtitles - you find that these often pop sounding songs are really updated hymns in their content, containing the same truths.The execution by the choir is absolutely note perfect and you can tell there were many hours of practice. Because a boys' choir is naturally a constantly evolving group, a word about this variant of Libera. Amid the many changes, a group like Libera usually comes together around featured soloists and tends to have relative stability for a while before another wave of changes. The "previous" Libera was centered on the soloists Steven Geraghty and Ben Crawley but as all boys do, they grew out of their positions. This was a "new" Libera forming in the mid 2000's centered much on the excellent soloist Tom Cully, and also featuring many other important Libera soloists like Ben Philipp, Josh Madine, Liam Connery, Ed Day and Sam Leggett. And all of the non-soloists perform their parts beautifully as well. This is one of the strongest lineups Libera has ever had.If you are at all inclined to like this group, this is one of the best titles from their large catalog. I know there are already plenty of reviews here, but I just had to add my praise for such a positive and inspirational group.

You know the feeling. You think you know all there is to know about a subject, then something comes along and hits you in the face to show that you actually know nothing at all. So it was for me when I purchased this DVD. I have been a Libera fan for many years and I have every one of their previous albums dating back to their 'St Philips Choir' days. I have met Robert and the boys on a number of occasions and would sit smugly in the knowledge that I knew everything there was to know about this amazing group of boys. Then all that was shattered when this DVD arrived. I realised that I knew precious little about what happens in their live concerts. Not that it was my fault, of course. To attend one of their gigs usually involves purchasing a plane ticket to the Far East and my funds do not run to that. Frustratingly, their infrequent UK concerts seem to be carefully planned so that they fall on an evening when I am at work. So to see them perform live on this DVD was a rare experience for me...and a mind-blowing experience at that. Each track is a masterpiece with the boys performing for their Dutch audience with a confidence and composure that would be only expected of more seasoned artists. Most intriguing of all for me was the bonus track in which the boys are interviewed, reminding us that they are, after all, perfectly ordinary kids. What is far from ordinary, however, is the performance. Having been in the music business myself, I can tell you that the professionalism and polish demonstrated here can only be achieved after many hours of hard work, blood, sweat and occasionally tears. If you think you know Libera, think again. This DVD adds another dimension. You don't just watch it, you experience it...you become part of it. You feel as though you know each of the boys personally and they are singing purely for YOUR upliftment, YOUR everlasting pleasure. Watch this DVD and you will, I guarantee, be a different person at the end. The final song, 'I Am The Day' - for me their best song ever - is performed superbly. The orchestra augments the synthesiser backing track to provide a fantastic finale and the applause and the standing ovation from the Dutch audience speaks volumes. So what are you waiting for? Buy this magnificent live DVD and try to watch it without a box of Kleenex to hand. Go on, I dare you...

This DVD is Libera's first, and is a benchmark for all the rest. The music is phenomenal as always, and the interviews with the boys is especially good. To say that the interviews are 'charming' is fatuous at best. As a pastor, vocal and instrumental teacher, boys' camp leader et al, I have always had to counter adults who talk about 'cute'.....AAAuagh. Young musicians who are REALLY working hard, and having fun at the same time are not to be demeaned as being 'cute' as if their performance and skill meant nothing!......Libera is a spectacular chor, right alongside Kings' Tolzer, Vienna, Thomanerchor, New College, Christ Church, St. Thomas, NYC....on and on. This DVD is hard to obtain now, and in some cases very expensive....but it's worth every effort to get it. Ken Suetterlin, Marshalltown, Iowa

The sound of Libera is appreciated throughout the world and their CD's are always top quality. Unfortunately not many of us will get the opportunity to see Libera perform live. However, this DVD is the next best thing.....and it is superb. The quality of performance is excellent and the production is outstanding.....other bands and peformers please look and learn. The boys are superb but I think Robert Prizeman deserves a medal for his vision .....an inspirational piece of work.

I would rate this as a quite exceptional performance from all points of view. The setting and videography are beautiful, the performance by the boys enthralling, and the extra features, where one learns more about the choir and how it functions, quite delightful.If you're looking for a DVD that you're unlikely to tire of watching and is a real pick-me-up when one's mood is low - look no further than Libera's "Angel Voices".

I am just completely amazed by how good the DVD is! The production company did a brilliant job with both the sound and picture. The DVD consists of 15 songs!First impressions: The Review -Adoramus - As an introduction the song was great. There was good camera work with nicely mixed shots of the orchestra and the boys.Going Home - Josh sings it like he always does, with a smile thatshows you how much he is enjoying himself!Far Away - Tom gives us his version of this song. He hits all the top notes in his usual style and captures the mood of the song when it was sung by Michael. Brilliant job !!Prayer - Tom and Ed work well together. Nice lighting and camera shots at the end of the song.Libera - Liam gets it spot on!Sanctus - Perhaps the best song on the DVD with a tremendous opening shot from the chandelier.Salva Me - A great solo by Joe. One to watch out for in the future!Lacrymosa - The lighting as with all Libera Concerts complements the song very well. Mini-Ben is stands out and is fantastic.Abide with Me - A captivating song with solo parts from Ed. The camera catches some great close-ups of Ed.I Vow to Thee my Country - This song was very well done with a nice instrumental introduction by Fiona. Again the camera catches some great shots of all the boys in this song.Stay with Me - Ed looks straight at the camera at the beginning of this song! A great shot of his face! Nice shots from behind the boys.Do Not Stand at my Grave - The lighting was very impressive for this song. It was dark enough to create some great effects. There are some amazing close-up shots of Tom. Both Ed and Tom sing well together. Watch Tom's face once he has finished the song!I Am the Day - My favourite song and perhaps a good one to end the concert.There are no encores on the DVD as is usual at Libera Concerts, but you can always restart the DVD! Majestic high notes at the end. Just brilliant!The interview feature is a nice bonus, as is the inclusion of the extra tracks recorded for US television. I won't talk about the interview because you will want to watch it yourself. A nice touch!!Great production!! Well done Libera!