Customer Reviews

Missa Gaia / Earth Mass

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an ecumenical, ecological world view of how the idea and the form of liturgical music might be adapted to a celebration of Mother Earth as much as it is a CD full of performance highlights.

Paul Winter remembers:

"My first visit to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine was in the spring of 1974, for the funeral of Duke Ellington. The experience of hearing the extraordinary music of this service in the awesome space of the Cathedral was profoundly moving. A succession of renowned jazz soloists, all alumni of the Ellington Orchestra, played and sang great Ellington songs to a congregation of 10,000. This music felt entirely appropriate in the Cathedral. These songs were hymns of our lives.

"As we were leaving, recordings of Ellington came through the sound system, and I can still hear the velvet, liquid tone of Johnny Hodges' sax soaring way up in the vault of the Cathedral. I had then no clue that several years later I myself would have the opportunity to play in the Cathedral; and the last thing I would have dreamed is that I would be making music for liturgy."

From that day forward, the experience seems to have "informed" his playing style. The fact that he subsequently became an artist in residence at the Cathedral (and is now the principal artist in residence) is testimony to the experience. And it has provided him with a performance and recording venue that is perfect for his horn and for the ensembles he chooses to perform there. Moreover, it is nigh impossible to separate the Cathedral from its vast acoustic space and its wonderful organ, and one might as well take advantage of these facts. Nobody does this better than Paul Winter.

At risk of playing favorites, Paul Winter and Paul Halley do some of their best work in "Return to Gaia." Both are at the top of their form here; Halley's extended organ improvisation reminds us of what Virgil Fox was capable of doing so brilliantly on his better days. "Sanctus and Benedictus" is guaranteed to bring your musical muscles and bones alive, but be advised that it's probably not a good idea to listen to it while driving an automobile! And the several tracks that feature Susan Osborn showcase a wonderful and totally unique gospel voice that causes one to ask, "How do we get to hear more of Ms. Osborn?"

As much as the music is ecumenical in its inspiration, it is equally ecumenical in its usage of musical instruments. Human musicians and the musics of various fauna species peacefully coexist in this joyous music. With only moderately careful listening, you can also experience the inventive coexistence of sitar, electric bass and a battery of world percussion with the more usual instruments in the Paul Winter Consort (if oboe, English horn, cello and pipe organ can be called "usual") as well as all of the outstanding singing by the remarkable Ms. Osborn and the chorus of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The electric bass riff in "The Promise of a Fisherman" (based on the Afro-Brazilian chant "Iemanja") stands out, and adds further testimony to Paul Winter's own musical ecumenicism.

A full description, in Paul Winter's own words, of how the Missa Gaia came to be, can be found at his Living Music website (livingmusic.com/concerts/earthmass.html). The interested reader is encouraged to go to this web page to fill in the blanks that this regrettably short review cannot cover.

An essential Paul Winter "classic." Sheer joy from start to finish. Highly recommended!

Bob Zeidler

This is one of the most amazing works I have ever heard in my life. I will be privilaged enough in a few weeks to be able to perform the Earth Mass with Mr. Winter in NYC with my Chamber Choir. This will be the second time I have been able to sing with him.
I absolutely love performing this piece- the mix of the hymns, gospel and traditional, and the animal songs just makes such wonderful music all together- it's literally breath taking and should leave you speechless. If you get the chance- go attend the service at St. John's..otherwise just buy the cd because it is simply incredible!

I first heard this album in the mid 80's on the celebration of the 800th anniversary of the birth of Saint Francis of Assisi, a mystic who renewed the Church and reunited humanity with mother earth. The music brings together the Colorado River and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York, wolves, whales and loons, cathedral choirs and native dancers. It is a fully human celebration of all of creation and the wonder of the Creator. This rare and creative work needs to be felt and imagined, not just heard. It has the power to transport, to enliven and to heal the soul. It will always remain a classic for me.

This is an album of performance highlights as much as it is an ecumenical, ecological world view of how liturgical music can be adapted to a celebration of Mother Earth.

At risk of playing favorites, Paul Winter and Paul Halley do some of their best work in "Return to Gaia." Both are at the top of their form here; Halley's extended organ improvisation reminds us of what Virgil Fox was capable of doing so brilliantly on his better days. "Sanctus and Benedictus" is guaranteed to bring your musical muscles and bones alive, but be advised that it's probably not a good idea to listen to it while driving an automobile! And the several tracks that feature Susan Osborn showcase a wonderful and totally unique gospel voice that leads one to ask, "How do we get to hear more of Ms. Osborn?"

As much as the music is ecumenical in its inspiration, it is equally ecumenical in its usage of musical instruments. For sure, human musicians and various fauna species peacefully coexist in this joyous music. With only moderately careful listening, you can also experience the inventive coexistence of sitar, electric bass and a battery of world percussion with the more usual instruments in the Paul Winter Consort (if oboe, English horn, cello and pipe organ can be called "usual") as well as all of the outstanding singing by the remarkable Ms. Osborn and the chorus of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The electric bass riff in "The Promise of a Fisherman" (based on the Afro-Brazilian chant "Iemanja") stands out, and adds further testimony to Paul Winter's own musical ecumenicism.

A full description, in Paul Winter's own words, of how the Missa Gaia came to be, can be found at his Living Music website, is encouraged to go to this web page to fill in the blanks that this regrettably short review cannot cover.

A Paul Winter "core classic." Sheer joy from start to finish. Highly recommended!

Bob Zeidler

The Missa Gaia is, by far, the most amazing choral work I have ever heard. To put it bluntly, Paul Winter and Paul Halley are geniuses. I had the privilege of performing this work with the entire Paul Winter Consort and three of the four composers of the Missa Gaia two days ago at the St. Bartholomew's Cathedral in New York City. Very few choral works have given me chills when I sang them - this one succeeded. Buy the CD. You won't regret it.

With this CD, you are encountering the extraordinary. Paul Winter is a conceptual artist who has spent years melding music with his love for the Earth. A gifted performer who provides his audience not with the expected, or the entirely familiar, but begs the ear to listen and the soul to respond. This is not background music, these creations need to be listened to actively.

Living Music Records, Inc. compiled this CD from two of Paul's performances at St. John the Divine Cathedral in New York City, it was commissioned by the Dean of the Cathedral as a contemporary ecumenical mass. A celebration of the Natural and the Spiritual together as only Paul Winter could create it. Recordings of humpback whales, harp seals, wrens and loons weave in and out of the tapestry of music. The vocals on the CD are the Cathedral Choristers and the stunning solos of Susan Osborn, whose voice needs no ornamentation to soar.

Profound, joyful and powerful in its expression, the emotion inspired by Paul's work can sometimes be hard to put to words. #2, Kyrie, is one of my favorite pieces, opening with the mournful sounds of the humpback whales. #4, Mystery, beautifully showcases the voice of Susan Osborne in all its power and majesty. #10 Stained-Glass Morning is an absolutely stunning combination of Eugene Friesen on cello with the sounds of birds making this short piece feel as though it takes place under the trees in a forest. But every selection is wondrous-and each selection is a work of art to be reflected on.

If you happen to be in New York City, please try a catch one of Paul Winter's performances at St. John the Divine. I guarantee you it's an amazing, soul-stirring experience. While this CD can be difficult to get hold of, find it if you can! And I do recommend checking out some of Paul's other musical works of art that are more readily available. While not for the casual listener, this is an intense workout for the ears, mind and spirit that should not be missed!

Happy Listening! Shanshad ^_^

This music still stirs my heart and soul as powerfully as it did over 20 years ago. I still use it for special ceremonies and rituals. Awesome.

This is an album of performance highlights as much as it is an ecumenical, ecological world view of how liturgical music can be adapted to a celebration of Mother Earth.

At risk of playing favorites, Paul Winter and Paul Halley do some of their best work in "Return to Gaia." Both are at the top of their form here; Halley's extended organ improvisation reminds us of what Virgil Fox was capable of doing so brilliantly on his better days. "Sanctus and Benedictus" is guaranteed to bring your musical muscles and bones alive, but be advised that it's probably not a good idea to listen to it while driving an automobile! And the several tracks that feature Susan Osborn showcase a wonderful and totally unique gospel voice that leads one to ask, "How do we get to hear more of Ms. Osborn?"

As much as the music is ecumenical in its inspiration, it is equally ecumenical in its usage of musical instruments. For sure, human musicians and various fauna species peacefully coexist in this joyous music. With only moderately careful listening, you can also experience the inventive coexistence of jaw harp, electric bass and a battery of world percussion with the more usual instruments in the Paul Winter Consort (if oboe, English horn, cello and pipe organ can be called "usual") as well as all of the outstanding singing by the remarkable Ms. Osborn and the chorus of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The electric bass riff in "The Promise of a Fisherman" (based on the Afro-Brazilian chant "Iemanja") stands out, and adds further testimony to Paul Winter's own musical ecumenicism.

A full description, in Paul Winter's own words, of how the Missa Gaia came to be, can be found at his Living Music website. The interested reader is encouraged to go to this web page to fill in the blanks that this regrettably short review cannot cover.

A Paul Winter "core classic." Sheer joy from start to finish. Highly recommended!

I first heard parts of Earth Mass durning a workshop on mysticism and felt the extraordinary beauty and power Paul Winter's music. I finally obtained Earth Mass, and promptly playet the disc. When the track of Mystery played, I had to replay that track, and find more information about Susan Osborne.
The words of beauty,power, and joy aren't enough while describing
her vocals and the song itself. The other tracks are equally difficult to describe. Eric Clapton once stated "Music should take you somewhere". Earth Mass takes one's being to the limit of the cathedral of life, whether it's along the Canyon, in St. John's Cathedral, or atop a mountain somewhere.

The first time I heard this C.D. it took me into the most wonderful visuals of a beautiful cathedral with children bringing all types of animals to be blessed in a Mass dedicated to St. Frances. And in fact that was what it was. The musical pieces, while spiritual, have animal and nature sounds combine with lovely voices, and a jazzy upbeat celebration of joy and gratitude for the gifts from the earth. Sure to inspire on many different levels, it doesn't need the listener to be religious, but rather to have a good ear, and a love of good music and this planet. I just loved it and play frequently when I need a lift and a transformation back to whats important in life. Thankyou Mr. Winters.