[.ca] Earth Prayer

From Amazon.co.uk:
Composer Bill Douglas once again showcases the Ars Nova Singers in addition to revisiting his love of poetry, setting to original music the verse of master wordsmiths on four selections of Earth Prayer. Effectively using offerings from each poet, Douglas is able to maintain the prayerful throughline of the collection beginning with the title track on which the Singers intone "Dona Nobis Pacem" ("Grant Us Peace"). The emotional posture is set remarkably well with this piece--restrained, sparse rather than decorous, including a lovely string interlude and soft piano. The pace quickens with plentiful horns and percussive dance rhythms as on instrumentals "Spirit Dance" and the Celtic folk music influence of "Wind of Delight." "The Splendour Falls", a stylised and dramatic piece, pays homage to Lord Tennyson's famous words, where other selections are brought to life by the words of Shakespeare and Thomas Traherne, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and on the worshipful "As Dreams Are Made Of", William Butler Yeats. Choral music fans will particularly enjoy the understated elegance of compositions featuring the Ars Nova Singers. --Paige La Grone

Unique harmonies:
I heard this CD while shopping in a book/music store one day. I had to go to find the artist and name of the CD. It was so unique and the harmonies were absolutely beautiful. It's not like typical new age, but, well, I don't know what to call it, other than great! I purchased all of the CDs by Bill Douglas and haven't been disappointed in any of them. Close your eyes, listen to the music and escape to a place of peace... time to re-energize and then prepare to re-enter the real world. Highly recommended!

Splendid:
I didn't think he could out do Songs of Earth and Sky. This one certainly does so in musical variety. And that it is not just more of the same is one of its strong points. In Lovely Blue, in particular, is phenominally beautiful.

Clear, fresh air! Music to refresh your soul!:
The music of Bill Douglas brings a purity of emotion which is rare these days. In Earth Prayer, as with all his albums, whether expressing sacred reverence or simple, unabashed joy, the music speaks directly to the heart! There is no trace of the syrupy over-sentimentality to which some fall prey. And this is certainly not just another New Age, drifting-to-nowhere with no content album. Instead, each selection is finely sculpted in Douglas' very original style. Earth Prayer is an even balance and collaboration of instrumental and vocal selections. The exquisite voices of the Ars Nova Singers are engaged and present with the spirit of the music and all the lyrics are clearly sung. The poetry of such greats as William Butler Yeats, Percy B Shelley, and William Shakespeare weave so naturally with the music, one begins to feel that these songs have existed always. These songs with their immortal words will stay in your heart. The instrumental cuts feature the distinct sounds of trumpet, violin, flute, cello, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, french horn, various percussion including Indian tabla, as well as Bill Douglas's masterful piano. It is a joy to hear the true sounds of these fine musicians!

• Earth Prayer
• Spirit Dance
• Splendour Falls
• Clouds
• Wind of Delight
• Veils of Stars
• In Lovely Blue
• Circle of Stones
• Minstrel's Wish
• Iona
• Magic Circle
• Chalice
• As Dreams Are Made Of