Dave Brubeck - Songs of Praise

Dorian Sono Luminus is proud to present this album featuring PREMIERE RECORDINGS of the Sacred Choral music of Dave Brubeck.

Dave Brubeck is one of the most well-known jazz pianists of all time. Mr. Brubeck is also a fluent, developed musician, exploring new avenues in composition and performance including his many choral compositions. Lauded around the world, Mr. Brubeck has just received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor in December 2009. This album featuring PREMIERE RECORDINGS of the Sacred Choral music (less “Sleep Holy Infant, Sleep”) of Mr. Brubeck performed by the GRAMMY nominated group The Pacific Mozart Ensemble for whom some of the pieces were written and Mr. Brubeck has worked closely with. The album also features the Multi-GRAMMY nominated ensemble Quartet San Francisco who most recently has received 2 nominations for the 52nd Annual GRAMMY awards.

The album consists of all sacred music starting with the premiere recording of Brubeck’s 3 part Canticles. This work features the English texts prepared by Lola Brubeck and a smaller instrumental ensemble arrangement done by Pacific Mozart Ensemble’s music director Lynne Morrow and performed by Quartet San Francisco. Following the Canticles are four holiday works that can be enjoyed year round.

Also performed is the premiere recording of Brubeck’s Commandments, inspired by his time spent serving in the US Army during World War II, which he writes about in the included liner notes. The album continues with Brubeck’s setting of Psalm 23, followed by a Credo written for Pacific Mozart Ensemble’s 25th anniversary concert. Concluding the album is a prayerful Benediction also written for the ensemble.

This album, recorded at world famous Skywalker Sound,with notes by ensemble director Lynne Morrow, Richard Grant (ensemble founder and additional conductor), along with Michael S. Sherman, o.p. Professor of Theology and Mr. Brubeck himself, featuring Premiere Recordings of new choral music by one of America’s most beloved musicians and composers loved the world over, is sure to enlighten, uplift, and entertain classical and jazz fans alike.