Search - Paul Winter :: Missa Gaia / Earth Mass

The Spirit of Nature in the Nature of the Spirit

Shanshad | Discworld | 01/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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 ^_^"

Music for the Being and the Soul

jim eddleston | Burnsville, Mn United States | 03/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Astounding.

Evan Kinney | Wilmington, NC United States | 02/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."