REVIEWS
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, Farming – Musical 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
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