ALBUMS

Cantus recordings are available as CDs and most are also available as downloads (iTunes or mp3).
To order by phone, please call (612) 435-0046, ext. 4.

FIELDS OF WONDER (2025)  

In Fields of Wonder, Cantus present a collection of songs cycles by contemporary and living composers, exploring different kinds of journeys through song.

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Every good story is a journey.

It is impossible to reflect change in a single moment. It can only be measured, felt, and understood by comparing one moment to another, a previous version of yourself to the present. And just as a great story loses its meaning without its beginning, a perfect moment cannot be perfect by itself. It is rendered perfect by what comes before or after.

The multi-movement compositions recorded here, including 16 world-premieres, are all journeys toward a truer self. Perhaps it’s a journey of acceptance in a new home or of self-recovery and realization. Perhaps it’s one of uncovering a reflection of ourselves within the natural world, unveiling the fragility of masculinity, or even the struggle of accepting the inevitability of death.

These contrasting song cycles share an embrace of change, growth, acceptance and renewal, and through the collective experience of their journeys – great and small, painful and magical – we gain a clearer picture of life and of ourselves.

Fields of Wonder is Cantus’ fifth album to be released on the Signum Classics label.

ALONE TOGETHER (2025)  

Cantus first conceived of this conceptual concert in 2016, intending to reflect the tension in our modern society between technological connectedness and human longing for genuine in-person interaction. We’ve never been able to communicate as quickly or efficiently across distance through the internet and social media. We’ve seen new art forms take shape, new types of communities form, and new ways of living that were inconceivable even 50 years ago.

And yet at the same time, we seem to be facing unprecedented mental health crises. The documentary “Social Dilemma” reveals that in 2010 when Facebook and Twitter became available on mobile phones, pre-teen self-harm rates tripled, and there was a 150 percent increase in deaths by suicide. Clearly, our digital revolution has come with unforeseen consequences.

Alone Together has taken on a whole new context and meaning since March 2020. Although the original themes remain, the pandemic has – in some ways – turned the concept on its head. Instead of a deterrent to connectedness, technology has sometimes been the only tool to help us maintain community and relationships.

This album is a journey that reflects upon isolation and connectedness in our world. We hope that you find moments for beauty and introspection, both familiar and new.

Alone Together is Cantus’ fourth album to be released on the Signum Classics label.

“Any listener enchanted by The King’s Singers’ 2024 album Close Harmony would be well advised to acquire Alone Together too. Both Signum Classics releases feature impeccable vocal performances of music from multiple genres, and it’s possible to see Cantus’s riveting set as a companion of sorts to Close Harmony. Both groups have refined their respective sounds over many decades and done so through carefully handled changes in membership, and both are admired for their exacting delivery and vocal finesse. For anyone coming to Cantus’s music for the first time, Alone Together is a terrific place to start.” — Ron Schepper, Textura

INTO THE LIGHT (2022)  

Into the Light, Cantus’ third album to be released on the Signum Classics label, reflects Cantus’ commitment to diversity of repertoire with works spanning five languages by a broad range of composers and arrangers: from John Jacob Niles and Kenneth Jennings to Joni Mitchell and B.E. Boykin. The album also offers six pieces created specifically for Cantus, including two new arrangements from Reginald Bowens and Christopher H. Harris.  

The album contains updated versions of traditional tunes like Kenneth Jennings’ setting of O Little Town of Bethlehem, Paul John Rudoi’s reflective I Wonder as I Wander, and Saunder Choi’s energetic Angels We Have Heard on High, with world premiere arrangements written for Cantus including Chris Foss’ ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, Christopher H. Harris’ version of Franz Gruber’s Silent Night, Aaron Humble’s setting of the Austrian Carol Still, Still, Still, and Reginald Bowens’ rhythmic I Saw Three Ships. Cantus bass Chris Foss also premieres his new carol, Love, the God Eternal, with text by Ella Wheeler Cox. 

COVERS LIVE! (2022)  

Cantus’ COVERS LIVE! album offers a fresh take on the music of Sir Elton John, featuring such hits as “Rocket Man,” “Circle of Life,” and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” along with classics from Joni Mitchell; Earth, Wind & Fire; The Friends of Distinction; Laura Mvula; Fleetwood Mac; Dolly Parton; and Feist. 

Recorded in June 2021 at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul, COVERS LIVE! is the ensemble’s 21st album in its 27-year history. 

The album is digital only. Click the button below for download options.

THE COVID-19 SESSIONS (2022)  

Recorded on March 17, 19, and 20 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the COVID-19 sessions came together quickly as society began to shut down amidst the growing outbreak in the United States. 

“Cantus tour dates and home concerts were being canceled and it was clear there would be only a limited window in which to sing together before the world went on pause,” says Paul Scholtz, tenor. 

“What would social distancing and prohibitions on large gatherings mean for vocal music, our communities, and the world at large?” continues Scholtz. “Cantus’ vision is to give voice to shared human experiences and what better way than to offer these performances amidst this great turmoil and uncertainty. We hope you can find yourself and your experience reflected somewhere in these sessions. The pieces you will hear span a great breadth of emotion, from joy to sorrow to wonder to pain. We hope you will find the performances themselves informed by the emotional states in which they were recorded — heightened at different times in different ways.”

MANIFESTO (2021)  

In Manifesto, Cantus takes a nuanced look at identity and relationships. The album tatkes its name from “Manifesto,” a minimalistic piece from Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang that sets to music text from Google’s auto-complete of the query “I want to be with someone who…” Manifesto also features world premiere recordings of works by Ysaye Barnwell, Sydney Guillaume, Libby Larsen, Sarah Kirkland Snider, and others.

A HARVEST HOME (2014)

For years, public radio listeners around the country have celebrated “Thanksgiving with Cantus” with American Public Media. This fall, Cantus releases a recording of beloved songs celebrating the joy of the holiday. A Harvest Home includes original arrangements of favorite hymns, American folk tunes as well as new compositions by Ysaye Barnwell, Byron Adams and pieces by Edvard Grieg, Felix Mendelssohn and Randall Thompson.

SONG OF A CZECH: DVORÁK AND JANÁCEK FOR MEN’S VOICES (2013)

Song of a Czech, focuses on the works of Antonín Dvorák and Leos Janácek, who were two of the giants of Czech musical history, as well as great personal friends. Both wrote music for male chorus, taking similar inspiration from folksongs of their native lands of Bohemia and Moravia, and from all over Eastern Europe. Janáček dedicated his “Four Male Partsongs” to Dvořák, who dubbed them “a gift with great promise, and in these times a truly special one.”

These lifelong musical conversations between two of the most beloved Czech composers undoubtedly played an integral role in shaping the national choral sound, and even the development of European choral music in the 20th century. With this new recording of repertoire by these “Bohemian brothers,” Cantus explores literature rarely heard outside of Eastern Europe, lending their trademark warmth, blend and exemplary musicianship to these fascinating and rarely recorded treasures of the choral canon.

ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS (2012)

Sir Isaac Newton famously said, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” There are artists who have left an indelible mark in music with works that are both timeless and instantly recognizable. On the Shoulders of Giants celebrates the influence and inspiration of composers who have come before us. Including repertoire that spans nearly a thousand years from “Sederunt”—one of the first known works of polyphony—to U2’s “MLK,” along with works by Sibelius, Mendelssohn, Schubert and Randall Thompson, Cantus delivers performances with its trademark warmth and blend.

CHRISTMAS WITH CANTUS (2011)

In Christmas With Cantus, the men of Cantus bring the sounds of the holidays to you and your family. Including audience favorites “Do You Hear What I Hear,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Noel Nouvelet,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and of course the Franz Biebl “Ave Maria,” this collection of songs old and new is full of light and life.

THAT ETERNAL DAY (2010)

“…the Cantus recording offers many satisfactions, none greater than a touching, ineffably simple performance of “The 23rd Psalm (dedicated to my mother)” by Bobby McFerrin.”
– The New York Times

That Eternal Day is a wonderful collection of American sacred music. Including audience favorites “There’s a Meeting Here Tonight,” “Wanting Memories,” and Bobby McFerrin’s “The 23rd Psalm (dedicated to my mother),” this program of music is emotionally invigorating and musically fulfilling. New arrangements of “Keep Your Lamps,” “Sweet By and By,” and “Simple Gifts” alongside pieces by William Billings, Moses Hogan, and Paul Manz are a comfort to the soul.

ALL IS CALM: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914 (2008)

The Western Front, Christmas, 1914. Out of the violence comes a silence, then a song. A young German soldier steps into No Man’s Land singing Stille Nacht (Silent Night). Thus begins an extraordinary night of camaraderie, music, peace. Re-live this remarkable true story from WWI through the words and songs of the men who lived it. The original cast recording from the highly acclaimed collaboration between Cantus and Theater Latté Da is now available. Enjoy this radio musical drama for holiday seasons to come. By Peter Rothstein, with musical arrangements by Erick Lichte and Timothy C. Takach.

WHILE YOU ARE ALIVE (2008)

While You Are Alive is an outstanding collection of music, a worthy contribution to the library of classical male choral repertoire. The album celebrates life through a gorgeous marriage of poetry and music. We include a new commission from Steven Sametz, who sets the poetry of Walt Whitman, a choral favorite from Eric Whitacre, a new nine-part work for Cantus by Edie Hill, a world premiere recording by Timothy C. Takach, a delightful piece by Veljo Tormis featuring SPCO flutist Julia Bograd-Kogan, and “The Turning,” the musical result of composer Maura Bosch’s work with Cantus, The American Composer’s Forum and the Tubman Family Alliance.

CANTUS (2007)

Cantus’ programming at its finest represents a great mix of styles and influences. On Cantus we’ve decided to showcase this variety on one recording. We’ve included a new commission from Lee Hoiby and paired it with a popular song by Billy Joel. We’ve included early 20th century Russian sacred music next to early 21st century American sacred music. We have two show-stoppers – a Smokey Robinson tune and a spiritual that has a splash of gospel. And preceding a semi-theatrical setting of Casey at the Bat we sing an amusing faux-Finnish piece. The programming keeps you listening from beginning to end, just like it does in a live concert.

THERE LIES THE HOME (2006)

Cantus proudly presents There Lies the Home, a song cycle based on man’s journey across the sea. This exciting and heartfelt album features works by Stanford, Tormis, Beach and Sting, and includes the world premiere recording of A True Heart is Waiting by Edie Hill. Art songs, folksongs, new commissions, modern masterworks and pop songs come together to weave the tale of one man’s journey across the waters in a way that has become the hallmark of Cantus.

CANTUS LIVE VOL. 2 (2006)

Cantus presents live cuts from 2004-2006. Highlights include collaborations with the Saint Olaf Choir (“Beautiful Savior” and “Our Father”), guest conductors Dale Warland and Anton Armstrong and performances by Cantus’ tenth anniversary reunion choir (“Alleluia,” “Ave Maria,” and “Salvation is Created”). Also included on this eclectic disc is the premiere of “Private First Class Jesse Givens” (later retitled “Last Letter Home”), a setting of a letter from a fallen U.S. soldier in Iraq by American composer Lee Hoiby.

COMFORT AND JOY: VOL. 2 (2005)

Conceived as a whole, Comfort and Joy tells the Christmas story from two different perspectives and two separate attitudes; the music of Volume One embodies the feeling of Christmas comfort, while Volume Two’s repertoire focuses on Yuletide joy. To tell the Christmas story in song, Comfort and Joy: Volume Two highlights Cantus’ diverse repertoire and focuses on music from around the world. Standout tracks include Babatunde Olatunji’s “Betelehemu,” Ariel Ramirez’ “Los Reyes Magos” and a 5/4 jazz arrangement of “Deck the Halls.”

COMFORT AND JOY: VOL. 1 (2004)

Cantus proudly presents part one of their groundbreaking Christmas offering – Comfort and Joy. To tell the Christmas story in song, Comfort and Joy: Volume One features a millennium of sumptuous music and singing traditions that span the globe. From Gregorian chant and fresh folksong arrangements to modern compositions and traditional Christmas carols, the warm and emotional singing of Cantus is both meditative and stirring. Comfort and Joy: Volume One is a true Christmas present of song.

DEEP RIVER (2003)

Deep River is a treasury of African-American Spirituals. This album features some of the most beloved American folk songs such as “Ezekiel Saw de Wheel,” “Were You There,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and “Soon Ah Will Be Done.” Deep River also delves into the roots of American roots music by exclusively featuring music by the preeminent first and second-generation African-American composers – Harry T. Burleigh, William Dawson, John W. Work and Jester Hairston – in both well known and long forgotten arrangements of these immortal songs.

…AGAINST THE DYING OF THE LIGHT (2002)

…against the dying of the light takes the listener on a journey from the depths of despair to the pinnacles of joy, featuring rarely heard virtuoso works for male choir by Carl Orff, Jean Sibelius, Samuel Barber, Josquin Des Pres and Claude Debussy. The newly commissioned “Two Laments on Dylan Thomas” by Kenneth Jennings, Schubert’s haunting “Grab und Mond” and Randall Thompson’s “Alleluia” are saturated with Cantus’ emotionally-charged singing.

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD (2001)

This recording is an eclectic mix of music from all over the world. The selections range in style from “El Yivneh Hagalil,” a Hebrew folk song, to “Dulaman,” an Irish dance, and a unique Georgian wedding song. Familiar favorites “Danny Boy” and “Loch Lomond” and exhilarating performances of pieces such as “What Shall We Do With a Drunken Sailor” and “One By One” add to the energy and diversity of the program.