Alone Together Cantus

• Don MacDonald (b. 1966): When the Earth Stands Still:
• 1 MacDonald: When the Earth Stands Still 03:38
• Libby Larsen (b. 1950): You (I. You, here…now…):
• 2 Larsen: You (I. You, here…now…) 03:07
• Arcade Fire: Deep Blue:
• 3 Fire: Deep Blue 03:35
• Libby Larsen: You (II. You, now…know):
• 4 Larsen: You (II. You, now…know) 03:17
• Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827): Gesang der Mönche:
• 5 Beethoven: Gesang der Mönche 01:26
• Paul Simon (b. 1941): A Most Peculiar Man:
• 6 Simon: A Most Peculiar Man 02:52
• Libby Larsen: You (III. You, know…who, are):
• 7 Larsen: You (III. You, know…who, are) 04:08
• Benj Pasek (b. 1985): You Will Be Found (arr. Jacob Christopher):
• 8 Pasek: You Will Be Found (arr. Jacob Christopher) 05:56
• Alberto Cortez (1940 - 2019): Camina Siempre Adelante:
• 9 Cortez: Camina Siempre Adelante 05:33
• John Lennon (1940 - 1980): She’s Leaving Home (arr. Samuel Bohlander-Green):
• 10 Lennon: She’s Leaving Home (arr. Samuel Bohlander-Green) 03:26
• Libby Larsen: You (IV. You, here…need):
• 11 Larsen: You (IV. You, here…need) 04:23
• Laura Mvula (b. 1986): She (arr. Paul John Rudoi and Chris Foss):
• 12 Mvula: She (arr. Paul John Rudoi and Chris Foss) 04:28
• Gabriel Kahane (b. 1981): Coffee with Borges:
• 13 Kahane: Coffee with Borges 07:53
• Camille Saint-Saëns (1835 - 1921): Calme des Nuits (arr. Chris Foss):
• 14 Saint-Saëns: Calme des Nuits (arr. Chris Foss) 03:10
• Jeff Beal (b. 1963): Beneath Thin Blanket:
• 15 Beal: Beneath Thin Blanket 04:39
• Libby Larsen: You (V. You, here…are know, love):
• 16 Larsen: You (V. You, here…are know, love) 02:13
• Kathleen Allan (b. 1989): The Green And Salty Days:
• 17 Allan: The Green And Salty Days 04:09
• Sharon Durant (b. 1970): Chinese Proverb:
• 18 Durant: Chinese Proverb 03:15
• Rosephanye Powell (b. 1962): When We Sing:
• 19 Powell: When We Sing 03:22
• Total Runtime 01:14:30

Info for Alone Together

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. 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.

Cantus

Cantus
Now in its 32nd season, the “engaging” (New Yorker) low-voice ensemble Cantus is widely known for its trademark warmth and blend, innovative programming and riveting performances of music ranging from the Renaissance to the 21st century. The Washington Post has hailed the Cantus sound as having both “exalting finesse” and “expressive power” and refers to the “spontaneous grace” of its music making. The Philadelphia Inquirer called the group nothing short of “exquisite.” As one of the nation’s few full-time vocal ensembles, Cantus has come to prominence with its distinctive approach to creating music. Working without a conductor, the members of Cantus rehearse and perform as chamber musicians, each contributing to the entirety of the artistic process, creating programs that give voice to shared human experiences. As the Star Tribune has written, “The main hallmark of the Cantus sound has always been sheer quality and an unbroken belief in the special way that vocal music has of warming and invigorating the human spirit.” Cantus enjoys a vigorous schedule of national and international touring, in addition to home concerts in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota. Cantus has performed at Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, UCLA, San Francisco Performances, Yale Schwarzman Center, Tanglewood and Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival. Cantus also makes all of its home concerts available online. This pandemic-prompted innovation has brought the ensemble’s programs to audiences spanning 50 states and sixteen countries.

Cantus records for the UK-based Signum Classics label which has released the popular COVID-19 Sessions, Manifesto, Fields of Wonder, Alone Together, holiday album Into the Light, and, in August 2026, The Secret Letter. Cantus also has a deep catalog of recordings released on the group’s eponymous label.

Committed to the expansion of the vocal music repertoire, Cantus actively commissions new music and seeks to unearth rarely performed repertoire for low voices. Cantus has received commissioning grants from New Music USA, the National Endowment for the Arts, Chorus America, American Composers Forum and Chamber Music America. In 2023, Cantus was honored with the Alice Parker Fund Award from Chorus America that recognizes the exemplary work of an ensemble that respectfully and authentically presents works incorporating Black and Latinx traditions and experiences. In line with Cantus’ ongoing commitment to fostering new works for tenors, baritones, and basses, the ensemble has partnered with composer and former Cantus bass Timothy C. Takach and Graphite Publishing on the Cantus Choral Series, distributing Cantus’ signature arrangements and compositions for ensembles everywhere to perform and enjoy.

Cantus has a rich history of collaborations with other performing arts organizations, including the Minnesota Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Boston Pops, The King’s Singers, Chanticleer, the Swingles, the Canadian Brass, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Lorelei Ensemble, Theater Latté Da and the James Sewell Ballet. The ensemble is heard frequently on both classical public radio nationwide and on SiriusXM Satellite Radio.

Integral to the Cantus mission is its commitment to preserve and strengthen music education in schools. Cantus works with more than 5,000 students each year in masterclass and workshop settings across the country and has been in-residence in 31 Minnesota high schools throughout the 15-year history of their award-winning High School Residency program. In the 2023-24 season, Cantus deepened its commitment to students by creating the High School Mentorship program, which offers Cantus artists in-residence at one Twin Cities-based high school for the entirety of the school year. Cantus has also broadened its work by launching a yearly, statewide festival in partnership with American Choral Directors Association Minnesota catered to high school tenor and bass singers. Additionally, the ensemble hosts a biennial Cantus Commission Competition to encourage the creation of new repertoire through cash prizes, a performance, recording, and potential publication of winning composers.

This album contains no booklet.