Hodie
Octarium
Krista Lang Blackwood, artistic director

Octarium’s Hodie is a diverse collection of Christmas songs ranging from exciting new arrangements, like Veni, Veni Emmanuel, to challenging staples such as Poulenc’s Le Temps De Noel. The wide range, and beautiful selection, of music on the recording makes the disk ideal for any director looking for a few more selections for their holiday program!

Octarium, a professional ensemble out of Kansas City, was founded in 2001 under director Krista Lang Blackwood. Hodie was recorded in Visitation Catholic Church in Kansas City adding an extra richness to a tone quality, which is often strongly infused with head voice. Throughout the recording Octarium achieves a beautiful blend and color, although some vowel and intonation issues come through at higher ranges. While the entire recording consists only of a cappella music, many of the arrangements would be suitable for a superior high school, church or college groups. Among the many exciting selections on the disk, one of the most enticing works is the Hamilton arrangement of Veni, Veni Emmanuel which grabs us with surprising and beautiful harmonies, giving more depth to a beautiful traditional work. The obvious musicianship of the group is at times overwhelming, such as in Long, Long Ago or the Rutter arrangement of The Wexford Carol. It is this musicianship that allows Poulenc’s difficult Le Temps De Noel to come across successfully. Moving lines are clear and beautifully phrased and an obvious attention to the text helps communicate Poulenc’s music fruitfully.

Octarium, Latin for “Eight as One,” give us a brilliant collection of Christmas music, in Hodie. Any choral musician can appreciate the fine singing or use the recording to pick out selections for the upcoming season!

Matthew Smyth
Norman, Oklahoma