Most chorus masters make very dull symphonic conductors--perhaps because they always stress clarity of diction when they ought to letting the music rise to a natural climax, whether or not you can hear the words! Robert Shaw was no exception, but for Telarc he did make a series of very fine discs devoted to masterpieces of the choral literature, and this is one of them. Perhaps because he trusted this chorus implicitly, he isn't afraid to get up there and really let the orchestra play too. The result is a memorable performance of this popular work. --David Hurwitz