Album Description: Paul Schwartz is back with a follow-up to the popular series State of Grace, with State of Grace II: Turning To Peace. Having always been drawn to the great Latin texts that have inspired so many great composers before him, State of Grace II: Turning To Peace is based on two Latin texts: the Magnificat and the Stabat Mater.
"The Magnificat is taken directly from the Bible, from the Gospel of Luke: it is the prayer of Mary expressing her joy in the knowledge that she will bear the son of God. The Stabat Mater is a medieval poem that describes the sorrows of Mary as her son's life is taken. I wanted to oppose the two images: the rejoicing expectant mother, and the eventual tragedy that overcomes her. These texts and the other songs on the album form a journey from joy, to sorrow, to joy again." … Paul Schwartz
With Lisbeth Scott once again lending her vocal talents, this is possibly Schwartz' most beautiful release yet!
Disc 1:
Magnificat - Crouch End Festival Chorus
Turning to Peace - Crouch End Festival Chorus, Lisbeth Scott
Curación (Sunlight on Water) - Joyful Company of Singers
Stabat Mater - Crouch End Festival Chorus, Lisbeth Scott
Quia Respexit - Crouch End Festival Chorus
Fear Not - Paul Schwartz, Lisbeth Scott
Et Misericordia - Anthony Pleeth, Lisbeth Scott, Helen Tunstall
Suscepit Israel - Crouch End Festival Chorus, Helen Tunstall
Title track is excellent ^ From the many positive reviews already here, it's clear that this is likely to be music most people looking at this webpage will like or love. I wish I'd not bought this CD, though, and am thinking that if I could come up with a way to predict that reaction for any others (if there are any who might share my taste) then it might be helpful.
I do very much like one of the tracks, the one for which the CD is named; if I were into downloading music instead of buying the whole CD, then I'd think that downloading that one track was a wonderful idea and would highly recommend it. And I don't actually strongly dislike a few other tracks, including the Santana track. But for the most part, I disliked most of the tracks enough to have trouble playing them all the way through a single time.
I don't much care for Kitaro, so if you don't either, even if you're not sure why, that might be a clue. The two artists aren't similar in anything other than what I think of as the overuse of dramatic orchestration, so that might be what turns me off. You might figure I don't like Beethoven's 9th, then? No, I very much like great classical music of all kinds; I'm there with the classical artists when they magically go where they go. And I have several albums of beautiful choir music, both acapella and supported by instruments, starting with Hildegard von Bingen, and I love beautiful voice; it's not the voice or voices that turn me off. I have a good bit of new age music too and like it all generally, including a good many from the old Windham Hill artists and also including Will Ackerman's "Hearing Voices". I also like Enya, Loreena McKennitt, and the wonderful Monica Hatch on her "Bright Seraphim". Go figure...
There's just something about the way this music is put together that causes me to focus on its construction to the point that it feels somehow phony; I don't get into most of the music. The orchestra at times swells with drama that seems out of place, expressing nothing so much as perhaps the liklihood it could be a soundtrack for a movie that would miss its mark with me. At other times the orchestra and voice together don't seem so much complementary as competitive.
I might be the only one like that, and the majority of those who are reading this probably ought to ignore my listening experience.
I did go back to listen to a few of the sample snippets from the tracks, though, and they still sound interesting to me, the same as they did when I decided to purchase the CD. The snippets are possibly not long enough to forecast a strong dislike for the longer tracks, if you are going to end up disliking them (or most of them).
To the artists, if you happen to see this: You just can't please every listener every time. Remember that I really do like one of the tracks! Just keep pleasing yourself doing what you enjoy doing, and you'll always have lots of grateful listeners.
A Cool Drink for A Thirsty Soul ^ One night I fell asleep listening to a new age station on satellite TV. From somewhere far away, I hear and feel a rythym--a beat of a drum. Slowly, I felt myself being pulled up out of a deep sleep by music that was literally touching my soul. After laying there for a minute or two thoroughly enjoying the music and allowing it to wash over and through me, I quickly retrieved the remote and hit "Info" to find out what I was listening to (State of Grace {SOG} II, Track 8). I ordered State of Grace II (and State of Grace I) that day. If you are a spritual person, this CD in its entirety(and SOG I) will touch you deeply. The music will aid your transportation into a state of deep communion with God. If you are not a spiritual person the music will still encourage introspection and reflection. If you are seeking internal peace and contentment SOG I and II is a great prepatory tool. Both CDs are a MUST HAVE.
Angel Music ^ The second State of Grace CD picked right up where the first one let off. Spritual music both meditative and energizing. Although the music can be soothing, it is also inspirational and changes gears throughout the CD. Sanatana'a Curacion is beautiful, and the vocals have an emotional power that adds to the flowing melodies. Good for the head and heart.
Mostly magnificent ^ This is my fourth Paul Schwartz cd, and he delivers a lovely collection here: beautiful choral melodies, pulsing rhythms, ballads sung with heart. I didn't feel that Carlos Santana's piece had much of a place here instrumentally, but this is a minor criticism; also, at times Lisbeth Scott's voice wanders into Sarah McLachlan territory when a simpler reading, without the forced "break", might be more effective. Her vulnerable vocal in "Fear Not", though, is perfectly moving and quite possibly my favorite Lisbeth Scott song. The choral pieces, sung in Latin, are magnificent; the "Gloria" resounds like Easter Sunday.
Addictive album (again) ^ Paul Schwartz composes music that I love to have playing non-stop. He has the gift of variety while keeping basic themes alive in recognizable melodies. This album becomes very addictive and I recommend the music to both audiophiles for the quality of the recording and mastering and to music lovers who still relish a great choral performance with a decidedly New Age flair.
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