Reviews
"The combination of Visitation Catholic Church and Octarium might seem to be a meeting of opposites, with the intimacy of the eight-voice chamber ensemble in such a large, open space. The venue turned out to be a wonderful place for listening to Octarium's beautiful singing, with the near perfection of their latest recording now reproduced in a live performance ... Krista Lang Blackwood's singers' work was secure and impassioned, ranging from delicate intimacy to the grandiloquent breadth that of the larger pieces called for, the essential sound of Octarium one of almost perfect balance. Make no mistake; this is a Kansas City ensemble of national stature, joining the justly illustrious Kansas City Chorale in the message that this city's choral moment seems to be arriving."
Arnold Epley
Present Magazine - KCMetropolis
"Octarium ... gets better every time I hear it. The ensemble’s concert Friday at Visitation Church showed off the meticulous blend and fresh, youthful sonority that the group has become known for ... Maurice Durufle’s "Ubi Caritas" sounded ravishingly beautiful, and except for the faint whisper of the church’s air units it was extraordinary how audible and warm the super-pianissimos sounded — not blanched-out, but with real fiber and substance. Equally impressive was the male fortissimos of the Rachmaninoff Vespers excerpt, which was muscular without sounding forced. William Byrd’s “Sanctus-Benedictus” from the Mass for Four Voices was captivating for the continuity of the successive entrances — so impressive, in fact, that I found myself wishing they’d just go ahead and sing the whole mass ... They also excelled in light-hearted works like Josquin dez Prez’s "El Grillo" and Orazio Vecchi’s "Fa Una Canzona," which were suave and convincing while avoiding cutesiness ... this was a fine concert ... capped by one of the most beautifully gauged renderings of Samuel Barber’s "Agnus Dei" you’re likely to hear. It’s an a cappella choral arrangement, by Barber himself, of the famous Adagio for Strings, and once you’ve heard it sung like this you might never go back to the over-performed string version."
Paul Horsley
The Independent Insider
"The “Holidays With Octarium” concert Thursday was an artistic watershed, sung with breathless unity, polish and meticulously crafted balance. If they can continue on this trajectory, we might find Octarium (Latin for “eight as one”) becoming a plausible rival for the Grammy-nominated Kansas City Chorale ... this was refined ensemble work, and I couldn’t help wondering whether Kansas City is entering some sort of Era of Great Choral Singing."
Paul Horsley
The Kansas City Star
"I have worked closely with Krista Blackwood, the Founder and Artistic Director of Octarium, for several years and find her to be a visionary leader with great artistic integrity and passion for the mission of one of the finest vocal groups in the Midwest. From the selection of singers, and the perfectionism of their performances, the imagination of the programs, their reach into this community has been unique and special ..."
Cynthia Siebert
Founder, The Friends of Chamber Music
“The eight members of Octarium go beyond raising their voices together in song; their voices warp and weave together, coalescing as a single instrument of tremendous power and depth. Octarium wields this might gracefully, never overpowering, opting instead to revel in the pliancy of the human voice. The result is a shared voice that's rooted in the lower register but can soar to ethereal heights. Bound together this way, the group reflects the strength of community.”
Paul Friswold
River Front Times
“Thank you for your new CD with its wonderful interpretation of PILGRIMS'
HYMN and your sensitive singing of all of the works on the recording. It
is a lovely addition to our library of recorded music and is liable to win
you many new friends.”
Stephen Paulus
composer
“I hear my Kyrie and Agnus Dei as if for the
first time. Octarium’s ability to change the nuance of their tone
and timbre without disrupting the flow of the music enables them to pack
their performances with riches without ever over-reaching for their effects.”
Stephen Hatfield
composer
“What gorgeous performances of my O Magnum Mysterium and
Madrigali — stunning artistry combined with an absolutely
beautiful blending of voices. Bravo, Octarium!”
Morten Lauridsen
composer
“… a delicate and richly sophisticated choral sonority …”
Paul Horsley
Kansas City Star
“… a complete sense of togetherness to the eye and ear …”
Rachel Hunter
Kansas Public Radio
“Octarium is a surprise, a delight and a wonderful fresh presence
on the choral music scene: beautiful voices, stylish singing,
bursting with craft and vitality — an immaculate vocal chamber ensemble
of soloists.”
Simon Carrington
Founding member of the King's Singers
“Octarium possesses a freshness and clarity of tone and amazing ESP.
Their voices radiate the joy of each other’s company and then pass
that joy on to the audience...”
Stephen Hatfield
composer