Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD tops Billboard category

Deseret Book says The Mormon Tabernacle Choir's new album, "Heavensong: Music of Contemplation and Light," reached No. 1 on Billboard's Classical Crossover chart this week. The album is unique for the choir and includes a choral arrangement of the hit song, "The Prayer," by Grammy Award winner David Foster.

"Heavensong was a special CD for all of us in the Choir and Orchestra," Choir Director Mack Wilberg said. "We particularly enjoyed working with our friend, David Foster who collaborated with us on 'The Prayer.' All of the music was designed to take listeners on a journey away from everyday cares. We're very pleased to see the music's popularity with the public and hope that many more people will have the chance to enjoy this music."

Foster lent a hand on the piano to accompany Wilberg's new choral arrangement of "The Prayer.“ which won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song from the film "Quest for Camelot," penned by Foster and Carol Bayer Sager.

"It's always been a goal of mine to work with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. They are truly one of the greatest choirs in the world," Foster said in a Deseret Book press release.

The album also includes a solo violin performance ("Mediation" from Thäis) by Igor Gruppman, conductor of the Orchestra at Temple Square and concertmaster of the Rotterdam Symphony.

"Heavensong is such a great album and seeing it hit number one on Billboard shows that it is connecting with people," said Bob Ahlander, managing director for the music division at Deseret Book, which handles the marketing and distribution of all choir products. "We cannot speak highly enough of Mack Wilberg and the choir, who continually outdo themselves time and time again."