Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus: Orff's Carmina Burana with Carlos Kalmar
"a performance of surging vitality and tremendous verve"
"The Grant Park singers handled some breakneck tempos with striking virtuosity and put across the big climaxes with sonic punch and intensity."
Lawrence A. JohnsonChicago Classical Review
National Symphony Orchestra, The Washington Chorus: Beethoven 9
"luminous"
Grace JeanWashington Post
Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus: Beethoven 9 and Brahms' Schicksalslied
"The most impressive element of this mixed Beethoven outing was provided by the Grant Park Chorus. Under the direction of guest chorus director Benjamin Rivera, the ensemble sang with bracing clarity and rich, resplendent vocalism."
"Kalmar led a glowing, beautifully shaped performance that showed the close kinship of this music to Brahms’ German Requiem. Here too, the choral singing was first-class, conveying the soothing solace with rapt, elevated expression."
Lawrence A. JohnsonChicago Classical Review
Cantate Chicago shines a moving light on infinity
"a choral showcase of a very high order"
"Cantate’s rendition amply filled Josaphat’s generous acoustic with sophisticated balance and an austere aura of remembrance."
"The ensemble again delivered, its powerfully understated performance ending in the muted humming of voices being silenced."
"The chorus maintained its high level, sounding especially burnished on group entrances on the word 'Svyati.'"
"As throughout the evening, Rivera’s leadership approach was judicious, non-intrusive, and never fussy, allowing the well-prepared singers to shine."