CD Review of Nā Mele Hawai'i
Northwest Hawai'i Times (Seattle, WA)
August, 2008
The Rose Ensemble is a classical vocal group based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota. By their own definition, they focus on "vocal music that explores history, world cultures and various forms of spirituality." They have put their voices to Hawaiian music on their eighth album, with a mix of hula chants, familiar himeni (hymn tunes), and songs by composers such as Charles E. King and Queen Lili'uokalani.
This group has done their homework — and beyond. Not only are the vocal performances spot-on beautiful (and beautifully recorded), but the lyrics are enclosed, properly spelled and punctuated, and accurately annotated. A detailed history of music in the Hawaiian Islands runs onto seven pages of the CD booklet, and the information contained within is both scholarly and fascinating.
There are 29 selections on the album, ranging from solo chanting to various sized subgroups of the main eleven-voice ensemble. On some pieces, they are accompanied by ipu, ipuheke, 'ukulele, guitar, piano and/or string bass. The full page of credits and thanks makes mention of many notable experts who provided assistance, particularly kumu hula Dr. Amy Ku'uleialoha Stillman. The group also spent research time on Kaua'i, the home island of their prominent soprano soloist, Kim Suoeka (from the same family that owns the grocery store in Koloa).