State of Grace II: Turning to Peace

Paul Schwartz | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 7, 2003)
• Original Release Date: October 7, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Windham Hill Records
• ASIN: B0000C3GZ0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,319 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Once again, I'm in a state of grace..., April 20, 2004

By 

Clarissa "MoonGoddess" (Ontario, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: State of Grace II: Turning to Peace (Audio CD)

Inspired and based on two Latin texts: the Magnificat and the Stabat Mater, Paul Schwartz set out to create yet another masterpiece filled with unspeakable beauty. For some reason 'State Of Grace II' took a while to grow on me but I've come to love it dearly. I don't think it's as good as the first 'State Of Grace', and it doesn't live up to the standard of his other works either, but it was still remarkably done and you can't expect anything less than excellence from this brilliant, BRILLIANT man. There are many classical crossover acts nowadays but none have blown me away in quite the same way composer Paul Schwartz has.

Amidst the lush orchestrations and ambient rhythms, there's much more chamber-like choral singing than ever before but fear not for Lisbeth Scott's angelic vocal talent is present in almost every track, including my absolute favorite, "Turning To Peace". Every time I hear that song I get choked up at the passion evoked in her voice as the spirit rises within her. Another highlight is "Curacion (Sunlight On Water)", which is a rendition of the amazing "Miserere" from the last State Of Grace. It sounds very different from the original, though. It's an instrumental that features the mystical/legendary Santana on guitar.

By no means am I a fan of "church" music but he takes religious themes and creates some of the most gorgeous pieces I've ever had the pleasure of indulging in with modern compositions. There's just no denying his exceptional, God-given genius so why not give in and buy this already? You won't be disappointed.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than the first, December 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: State of Grace II: Turning to Peace (Audio CD)

Paul Schwartz has followed State of Grace with a sequel that is even better than his first effort. My favorite song on the first one was Miserere, because of the choir, and this cd has 4 songs that feature the choir. Lisbeth Scott sounds amazing, particularly on Stabat Mater, which is hauntingly beautiful.

By the way the reviewer below who complains about the presence of Ave Maria has misunderstood something. The Ave Maria is a text, not a song. This version that Mr. Schwartz has written is a brand new song, not a cover of a pre-existing song. There are probably thousands of settings of the Ave Maria words, although Schubert's is the most famous. Anyway, the version here is gorgeous.

I'm giving this cd out as a Christmas present. It's perfect!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars journey through the etheral., January 30, 2004

By 

Anthony D. Howell "scificrackerj" (Houston, Tx USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: State of Grace II: Turning to Peace (Audio CD)

you will love this album.... if you are a fan of classical/ pop/vocal ambient music. which i am happy to say i am one of those people. oh my gosh. this album is amazing. there are 3 songs that truly make this album a good buy. those tracks are turning to peace, stabat mater, and let me. my favorite has to be: turning to peace.... which is to beautiful to describe. lisbeth's vocals are truly amazing. carlos santana makes a guest appearance on the track curacion(sunlight on water) which is amazing. this album is very beautiful , and relaxing. the choirs are cool, and you really can feel the spiritness of it all. if this review doesn't seem helpful, i am sorry. it's hard to explain an album that is truly this good. .....truly this good. all in all, this is the perfect sequel to state of grace 1.