REVIEWS

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June 2025

The Crossing’s “At Which Point” is a Beautifully Executed Record of New Choral Works – I Care if You Listen

Philadelphia’s The Crossing choir’s New York concert moves you enough to care about Immanuel Kant –The Philadelphia Inquirer

MARCH 2025

Donald Nally on The Crossing, Contemporary Choral Music, and Their GRAMMY-Winning Album OCHRE – Serenade Magazine
Interview

FEBRUARY 2025

'Revolución diamantina' luminous with the BSO – The Boston Globe
Review

Ortiz' kaleidoscopic ballet proves a masterpiece with Guerrero and BSO – Boston Classical Review
Review

The meaning of the universe is debated in a premiere by The Crossing choir – WHYY
Preview

JANUARY 2025

5 Classical Music Albums You Can Listen to Right Now – The New York Times
Review

December 2024

David Lang on Why Composers are Drawn to Sacred Music – The New York Times
Article

November 2024

5 Classical Music Albums You Can Listen to Right Now – The New York Times
Review

OCTOBER 2024

A Choir Stands Out in a Multimedia Performance – The New York Times
Review

July 2024

Meet Donald Nally – Shoutout LA
Interview

december 2023

‘The least of us’: The Crossing premieres hymns written for an imagined religion – WHYY
Preview

October 2023

‘The Hunt’ and ‘Sin-Eater’ Reviews: New Songs of Old Worlds – The Wall Street Journal
Review

David T. Little and The Crossing probe an untouchable custom with 'SIN-EATER,' a "ritual grotesquerie" – WRTI
Preview

september 2023

The Crossing premieres three in Chestnut Hill – Chestnut Hill Local
Review

July 2023

The Irony that Drives Ted Hearne’s Latest, FarmingMusical America
Review

New Vocal, Choral Works on Record – Musical America
Review

April 2023

Doleful ‘Vespers’ Pray for an Earth in Crisis – The New York Times
Review

March 2023

John Luther Adams, Praying for the Earth in Music – The New York Times
Preview

february 2023

Philly classical musicians win big at the Grammys – The Philadelphia Inquirer
Article

July 2023

Ted Hearne’s Sweet, Sad American Elegy – The New York Times
Review

October 2022

‘The Hunt’ and ‘Sin-Eater’ Reviews: New Songs of Old Worlds – Wall Street Journal
Review

november 2022

A Composer Reconstructs Painful Family Stories – The New York Times
Review

A Composer’s ‘Travel Guide’ to His Family’s Unspoken Past – The New York Times
Preview

August 2022

Americana Newly Recorded – Musical America
Review

December 2021

Twelve works premiered in ‘Carols After a Plague’ concert from The Crossing choir – Philadelphia Inquirer
Review

A Christmas concert for our time: Carols After a Plague – WHYY
Preview

September 2021

Nally, Crossing Make Triumphant ‘Return’ – Chestnut Hill Local
Review

Classical music to see in Philly this fall – Philadelphia Inquirer
Preview

Finally, a Lot of Classical Music and Opera to Hear This Season – New York Times
Preview

August 2021

Contemporary Muwashshahat – New Sounds
Episode

July 2021

Performances in the outdoors at WMPAC – Explore Big Sky
Preview

May 2021

Take it outside: Concerts and performances are popping up outdoors all over Philly – Philadelphia Inquirer
Preview

April 2021

With 'A Native Hill,' The Crossing Takes You On A Beautiful, Mystical Journey Through Nature – WRTI
Article

January 2021

“Anonymous Man" makes The Top 10 of 2020 – New Sounds
Feature

December 2020

Music And Mayhem: A Diary Of Classical Albums For A Troubled 2020 – NPR Music
Article

The 25 Best Classical Music Tracks of 2020 – New York Times
Article

November 2020

Take a Peaceful Walk in ’The Forest’ with Award-Winning Choir, The Crossing – OperaWire
Article

Teaching music over Zoom is hard, but Drexel app makes it easier for Philly high school students – Philadelphia Inquirer
Article

Choral Field Embraces the Democratic Process – Chorus America
Article

Long Time Passing: Musicians Follow the American Election’s Deceptive Cadence – VAN Magazine
Article

October 2020

Up on the Roof, Into the Woods, and Down in the Graveyards … Classical Music Lives – WQXR
Review

A choir. Some trees. Add a new amplified sound system and you have a COVID-19-era concert format. – Philadelphia Inquirer
Review

Philadelphia choir survives with unique outdoor performances amidst pandemic – 6ABC News
Preview

September 2020

On Stage: The Crossing finds a safe way to perform together at Bowman’s Hill – Chester County Times
Preview

Philly’s classical music season has arrived. Let the experimentation begin. – Philadelphia Inquirer
Preview

Music Unframed and in the Great Outdoors: Keep Your Expectations Different – WQXR
Preview

The Crossing presents ‘In Nature’ and ‘One Day I Saw’ – Broad Street Review
Article

July 2020

The Crossing Continues To Create Despite Covid-19 – WUOT Knoxville
Podcast

A Few Early Ventures Into In-Person Singing – Chorus America
Article

Socially Distanced Performances Continue at WMPAC – Lone Peak Lookout
Article

May 2020

The Crossing presents "Carthage" A journey you must take – Broad Street Review
Review

April 2020

This Mütter Museum-commissioned song, ‘Protect Yourself from Infection,’ is eerie and perfect | Listen here – Philadelphia Inquirer
Article

 Anonymous Man Reveals an Intimate Side of Michael Gordon – San Fransisco Classical Voice
Review

Michael Gordon: Anonymous Man – AllMusic
Review

October 2019

Philly’s world-famous choir, The Crossing, premieres Gavin Bryars’ latest. Will it be their next Grammy? – Philadelphia Inquirer
Review

September 2019

Album Review: ‘Evolutionary Spirits’ – American Choral Journal
Article

Celebrate Philadelphia’s wave of pestilential death: Mutter Museum will mark the great flu pandemic with parade and exhibit – Philadelphia Inquirer
Article

July 2019

‘Muziek kan er minstens evenveel toe doen als politiek’ — De Standaard (Belgium)
Article

June 2019

America’s Most Astonishing Choir Hates Sounding Pretty – New York Times
Article

Grammy-winning choir The Crossing premieres sci-fi theatrical performance – WHYY
Article

february 2019

Grammy Award winners include Bienen School faculty, alumna – Northwestern University News Center
Article

This Choral Recording by The Crossing, ZEALOT CANTICLES, Just Won a GRAMMY! – WRTI
Article

The Crossing Reinterprets Grief and Mourning With a New Look at a Hans Christian Andersen Classic – IndyWeek
Article

Q&A: Prof. Donald Nally talks third consecutive Grammy nomination for Best Choral Performance – The Daily Northwestern
Article

Fire in my mouth: Julia Wolfe Examines Immigration and the Labor Movement – I Care If You Listen
Review

Julia Wolfe’s Haunting Elegy to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory — The Nation
Review

The Crossing Reinterprets Grief and Mourning With a New Look at a Hans Christian Andersen Classic — Indy Week
Article

JANUARY 2019

Carnegie Hall’s New Season: Here’s What Our Critics Want to Hear — New York Times
Preview

With Protest and Fire, an Oratorio Mourns a Tragedy — New York Times
Review

Arming a Chorus of Women With Scissors — New York Times
Article

Montco’s Pulitzer Prize-winning composer used two Philly churches to rehearse her big Lincoln Center premiere, opening Thursday — Philadelphia Inquirer
Preview

Angelic Voices For Troubled Times — Northwestern University Research News
Article

An Oratorio For Tolerance With The Crossing — KUAF Arts Beat
Interview

A 'Fire' of Operatic Proportions Ignites Geffen Hall — Musical America
Review

December 2018

‘A Native Hill’ not quite finished, but still masterful — Chestnut Hill Local
Review

Watch and Listen: Grammy-Winning Choir, The Crossing, Sings in the WRTI Performance Studio – WRTI
Article

Philadelphia-Based Choir ‘The Crossing’ Nominated For Third-Consecutive Grammy Award — CBS Philly
Article

October 2018

“if there were water: MINAKAKIS Crossings Cycle" — Gramophone
Review

A New Choral Recording by The Crossing: Zealot Canticles, A Musical Plea for Tolerance — WRTI
Review

September 2018

“When Singing Becomes a Revolutionary Act” — Musical America
Review

“Review: In a Gilded Space, a Choir Reflects on War and Peace” Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim for The New York Times
Review

“The Crossing choir takes on Trump’s ‘These aren’t people, these are animals’ comments in Fringe performance” — Philadelphia Inquirer
Review

“Classical Fall Preview: ‘luminous and acute’” — New York Times
Preview

Conductor Donald Nally Talks about The Crossing and "Zealot Canticles" – Community Idea Station PBS/NPR
Interview

August 2018

“Fall Classical Music Preview” — The New Yorker
Preview

“If you like your music edgy and grand, Philly Fringe 2018 is for you” — Philadelphia Inquirer
Preview

July 2018

“The Crossing choir premieres vivid new Kile Smith work” — Philadelphia Inquirer
Review

“The creative arc of Kile Smith: Do opportunities make the piece? Or does the piece create the opportunity?” — Condemned To Music blog by David Patrick Stearns
Blog

june 2018

“Watch and Listen: Grammy-Winning Choir, The Crossing, Sings in the WRTI Performance Studio” — WRTI 90.1FM Philadelphia
Watch // Listen

"Musical ‘series of life journeys’ at Hill Presby Church" -- Chestnut Hill Local
Review

may 2018

“The Crossing's Month of Moderns is back for another ambitious round” — Philadelphia Inquirer
Preview

"The Crossing Presents Ninth 'Month Of Moderns' Festival In Philadelphia, Featuring Three World Premieres" -- Broadway World
Review

april 2018

"Ted Hearne, was recognized for “Sound from the Bench,” a cantata for choir (the extraordinary Crossing, out of Philadelphia)..." -- The New York Times on Pullitzer Prize for music.
Review

“Conductor Donald Nally explores contemporary chaos in choral music” — Northwestern Now
Article

March 2018

"Against all odds, a choir focused on new music prospers" -- Chicago Tribune
Review

"Sublime new-music choir the Crossing makes its local debut" -- Chicago Reader
Review

"Michael Gordon's Anonymous Man, Performed by the Crossing" -- New Music USA
Review

February 2018

"Grammy Award-winning choral ensemble makes Chicago-area debut with Bienen School residency and concert" -- Northwestern Now
Review

"Grammy Award-winning choral ensemble makes Chicago-area debut with Bienen School residency and concert" -- Chicago Tribune
Review

January 2018

"Bienen professor receives second Grammy nomination for best choral performance" -- The Daily Northwestern
Review

"Two Philadelphia-based gems came together to win the Grammy for Best Choral Performance." -- WRTI- 90.1
Review

"Westminster Alumnus wins Grammy Award" -- News at Rider University
Review

December 2017

"Crossing at Christmas unusual, as usual" -- Philadelphia Inquirer review of The Crossing @ Christmas
Review

"At Hill church, not a ‘memory lane’ Christmas experience" -- Chestnut Hill Local
Preview

November 2017

"So Proudly We Hail: The Crossing presents 'the national anthems tour'" -- Broad Street Review
Review

"The Crossing presents timely and challenging new music for voices" -- Washington Classical Review 
Review

"The Crossing choir hosts composers not necessarily looking to soothe audiences" -- Philadelphia Inquirer review of The National Anthems Tour
Review

"Three Composers on the Necessity and Pitfalls of Political Music" -- New York Times discussion on the political music by the three composers of The National Anthems Tour
Article

"The future of Philadelphia music" -- The Crossing mentioned in the Philadelphia Inquirer's article on new music in the city
Article

"Welcome to the arts in the age of Trump" -- The National Anthems tour mentioned in the Philadelphia Inquirer article on political music
Article

"9 free things to do in D.C. in November" -- The National Anthems tour mentioned in the Washington Post
Article

September 2017

"‘Recording Reviews by Marjorie Johnston" - Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians (September 2017, Vol. 26, No. 7) review of Bonhoffer
Review

"‘HEARNE: Sound from the Bench" - Opera News review of Sound From The Bench
Review

August 2017

"‘Classical Notes: A New Recording of “Threni” and Ted Hearne’s “Sound from the Bench”" - The New Yorker review of Sound From The Bench
Review

July 2017

"‘Stunningly interpreted’ new music at Hill Presby Church" - Chestnut Hill Local review of Michael Gordon's Anonymous Man
Review

"The Crossing premieres a moveable feast from Bang on a Can" - The Philadelphia Inquirer review of Michael Gordon's Anonymous Man
Review

June 2017

"‘Stellar international reputation’ for Hill ensemble" - Chestnut Hill Local review of MoM 2017
Review

"For an edgy treat, catch the Crossing's 'Month of Moderns' finale" - The Philadelphia Inquirer preview of MoM 3: Anonymous Man
Preview

"Anonymous Man" - Van Magazine preview of Michael Gordon's Anonymous Man
Preview

"Nationally acclaimed choir coming soon to Hill twice" - Chestnut Hill Local preview of MoM 2017
Preview

May 2017

"ALBUM REVIEW: Sound from the Bench by Ted Hearne" - Second Inversion review of Sound from the Bench
Review

April 2017

"Ted Hearne and The Crossing's Sound from the Bench" - Sound from the Bench as Q2 Music's Album of the Week
Review

"Two Philadelphia ensembles performed at Knoxville's Big Ears Festival" - WHYY's NewsWorks on our appearance at the 2017 Big Ears Festival
Article

March 2017

"Two New Choral Music Recording" - The New Yorker reviews The Fifth Century
Review

"The Crossing and the International Contemporary Ensemble's 'Seven Responses'" - Review of Seven Responses CD from Q2 Music
Review

"The Crossing: Changing the world, one concert at a time" - The Philadelphia Inquirer review of Zealot Canticles
Review

January 2017

"The Crossing: David Lang’s Lifespan at the Cleveland Museum of Art" - Review of our Lifespan performances at The Cleveland Museum of Art from ClevelandClassical.com
Review

"PRISM Quartet, The Crossing/Donald Nally: The Fifth Century album review - moves through a slow-motion universe" - The Irish Times review of The Fifth Century
Review

"Cleveland Museum of Art hosts The Crossing for 'Lifespan' serenade to an ancient rock" - Preview of our visit to the Cleveland Museum of Art
Preview

December 2016

"GAVIN BRYARS: The Fifth Century; Two Love Songs" - The Fifth Century review from Audiophile Audition
Review

"Rebecca Siler's 'brilliant' soprano voice graces Chamber Music Society concert" - The Philadelphia Inquirer review of The Crossing @ Christmas
Review

"Christmas without the carols" - Review of The Crossing @ Christmas from Broadstreet Review
Review

"Bowie’s ‘Blackstar’ among top albums of 2016" - The Fifth Century included in Asbury Park Press's 'top albums of 2016'
Review

"From 'Breaking the Waves' to 'Einstein on the Beach': The Year in Classical Music" - The Crossing included twice in The Philadelphia Inquirer's 'bests' of 2016
Article

"59TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS: NOMINEES" - Bonhoeffer nominated for a Grammy Award
List

"Gavin Bryars shows why he is one of the greats" - The Buffalo News review of The Fifth Century
Review

"From Bach to Bryars, the best classical albums of 2016" - The Fifth Century included on the Chicago Tribune's 'best classical albums of 2016'
Review

"Gavin Bryars: The Fifth Century CD review – scrunchy harmonies and weaving saxes" - The Guardian review of The Fifth Century
Review

November 2016

"Album reviews: The Rolling Stones - Blue & Lonesome, The Weeknd - Starboy, Peter Doherty - Hamburg Demonstrations and more (Also Bob Dylan, Hilma Nikolaisen and Gavin Bryars)" - The Independent review of The Fifth Century
Review

"So much to be thankful for!" - The Fifth Century included in Greg Sandow's submission for ArtsJournal.com's blog
Review

"Mystical Aura - New ECM-album by Gavin Bryars" - Klassik Akzente review of The Fifth Century (article in German)
Review

October 2016

"Review: ‘Canticles of the Holy Wind’ Summons the Elements at the Met" - The New York Times review of Canticles of the Holy Wind at the Met Museum
Review

"Big Ears Festival Expands to Four Days, Announces 64 Performances" - The Crossing included in an article from Rolling Stone about the 2017 Big Ears Festival
Article

September 2016

"Philly Fringe 2016: Ted Hearne and The Crossing’s ‘Sound From the Bench’" - Broad Street Review review of our Sound From the Bench program at FringeArts
Review

"'Sound From the Bench' at Fringe: Music that means something" - Preview from The Philadelphia Inquirer of our performance of music of Ted Hearne at FringeArts
Preview

August 2016

"New Music Inspired by Christ’s Agony and Dating Apps" - Review of Seven Responses at Mostly Mozart from The New York Times (begins about half-way down)
Review

"Philly group The Crossing wows at New York's Mostly Mozart Festival" - The Philadelphia Inquirer review of Seven Responses at Mostly Mozart
Review

"7 Inspirations for 'Seven Responses'" - Lincoln Center article on some of the inspiration behind Seven Responses
Article

"10 Things to Do Now in NYC" - Seven Responses included on this list from The New York Times
Article

"Got a Classic Piece? Here Comes the Sequel." - The New York Times references Seven Responses in this article about response-composition
Article

July 2016

"The Crossing Choir in Concert on WRTI: Seven Responses, Part 2, July 24th at 4 PM" - Preview of Seven Responses Part 2 broadcast on WRTI
Preview

"Crossing musically to Chestnut Hill" - The Chestnut Hill Local review of Jeff Quartets
Review

"The Crossing sings modern music for a dead master" - The Philadelphia Inquirer review of Jeff Quartets
Review

"The Crossing Choir in Concert on WRTI: Seven Responses, Part 1, July 10th at 4 PM" - Preview of Seven Responses Part 1 broadcast on WRTI
Preview

"10 Cutting-Edge Artists That Have Captured the Imagination Mid-Year" - Q2 Music names The Crossing a 2016 'Cutting Edge Artist'
Article

June 2016

"Crossing over into new music commissioned by local opera star" - The Chestnut Hill Local review of Seven Responses
Review

"Donald Nally’s The Crossing presents ‘Seven Responses’ - A dialogue of the centuries" - Broad Street Review review of Seven Responses
Review

"The Crossing: 'Just when you think you've heard everything...'" - The Philadelphia Inquirer review of Seven Responses
Review

"Crossing choir presents 'Seven Responses' to sacred sorrow of baroque oratorio" - NewsWorks preview of Seven Responses
Preview

"The Crossing plays Gavin Bryars and Tõnu Kõrvits: Meditation with saxophones" - Broad Street Review review of the NYC premiere of The Fifth Century
Review

"Local chamber choir The Crossing reflect on 1680 composition with new Seven Responses" - Preview of Seven Responses from WXPN
Preview

"The Crossing’s Ambitious Two-Night Project: Seven Responses" - WRTI preview of Seven Responses
Preview

"Coming up in Philly music: ‘Seven Responses’ to wounds and healing" - Broad Street Review preview of Seven Responses
Preview

"'Seven Responses': A massive union of old, new, compassion, and suffering" - The Philadelphia Inquirer preview of Seven Responses
Preview

"The Fifth Century as a window to eternity: Gavin Bryars in New York" - Bachtrack review of the NYC premiere of Gavin Bryars' The Fifth Century
Review

"Review: Hints of Eternity at Trinity Wall Street" - Review of the NYC Premiere of Gavin Bryars' The Fifth Century in The New York Times
Review

"Rescheduled concert more contemplative than dramatic" - The Philadelphia Inquirer review of the NYC premiere of Gavin Bryars' The Fifth Century
Review

"THE CROSSING: “THE FIFTH CENTURY"" - The New Yorker preview of the NYC premiere of Gavin Bryars' The Fifth Century
Preview

April 2016

"The Crossing Joins ICE and Quicksilver for epic Seven Responses project" - Broadway World Preview of Seven Responses
Preview

January 2016

"The Crossing: 'The Fifth Century'" - The New Yorker feature in "Goings on about town"
Preview

December 2015

"Choral repertoire opposites at Hill Christmas concerts" - Review of The Crossing @ Christmas 2015 in Chestnut Hill Local
Review

"Christmas magic from The Crossing" - The Philadelphia Inquirer review of The Crossing @ Christmas 2015
Review

"The Crossing to Premiere Gavin Bryars' The Fifth Century, 1/23" - Broadway World preview of Gavin Bryars' The Fifth Century
Preview

"Church Doublebill" - Preview of The Crossing @ Christmas in Chestnut Hill Local
Preview

"A classical year: The best, the worst, the squid brains" - The Philadelphia Inquirer calls Toivo Tulev's A child said, what is the grass? from MoM 2015 Philadelphia's 'most successful musical fusion' of 2015
Article

"Al-Bustan and The Crossing join musical cultures" - Review of our collaboration with Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture in The Philadelphia Inquirer
Review

November 2015

"New Syrian Music Recalls Happier Times" - The Philadelphia Inquirer preview of Words Adorned with Al-Bustan
Preview

October 2015

"Two more grand slam home run concerts at Hill churches" - Chestnut Hill Local review of Reprise 1
Review

"The Crossing Choir marks 10 amazing years" - Review of Reprise 1 by Philadelphia Inquirer
Review

"A grand old home for innovative music" - Philadelphia Inquirer on Sessions @ Stotesbury
Preview

August 2015

"Music Review: Lewis Spratlan - Hesperus is Phosphorus" - Review of Hesperus is Phosphorus by blogcritics.org
Review

July 2015

"Classical Playlist: Lewis Spratlan, Beethoven and Brahms" - The New York Times  review of Hesperus is Phosphorus
Review

June 2015

"'Path of Miracles' was the event of the season" - The Philadelphia Inquirer reviews Joby Talbot's Path of Miracles from The Month of Moderns 2015
Review

"Crossing over again" - Review of the second concert of The Month of Moderns 2015: Out of hopeful green stuff woven in Chestnut Hill Local
Review

"Crossing Whitman with Estonia" - The Philadelphia Inquirer  on the second concert of The Month of Moderns 2015: Out of hopeful green stuff woven
Review

"Hill world premiere: no discernible rhythm but potent" - Chestnut Hill Local review of the first concert of The Month of Moderns 2015: Only memory of forgetting
Review

"The Crossing looks back (a little)" - Review of the first concert of The Month of Moderns 2015: Only memory of forgetting in The Philadelphia Inquirer
Review

"[Moonstrund Air] effectively blends rhythmic, harmonic and stylistic techniques of early and contemporary music in ways that use the building blocks of the past to point the way into the future." - WRTI  review of Moonstrung Air: Choral music of Gregory Brown
Review

April 2015

"'Crossing' choir to perform with Jenks Students" - Chestnut Hill Local preview of our collaboration with the J.S. Jenks School
Preview