Consisting of the following tracks:
Please note that this presentation was performed in 1999.
Our magnificent church offers worshippers a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the city. Unfortunately, the outside world always seems ready to creep in through slightly ajar doors and delicate stained glass windows. The rumble of passing trucks, the clamor of construction equipment, and even the occasional thunderstorm serve as reminders that we cannot entirely escape these distractions.
The recording sessions for this album occurred in June, July, and August of 1999. Our late-night singing was challenged by sweltering heat, noisy traffic, and even a thunderstorm that would have made our Creator proud. Consequently, there are some audible "noises" in this recording. We could have certainly chosen a quieter location for the recording, but we would have sacrificed the unique ambiance that sets Old St. Mary's apart from many of its less endowed counterparts.
As you listen, pay close attention to the thunderclaps that punctuate the final Magnificat on this recording. It's tempting to think that, in this ancient song of praise, God chose to make His presence heard above the traffic and commotion.
The title of this recording, "MISSA BREVIS," is a term that composers have used throughout the centuries to denote a particular type of musical setting for the text of the Ordinary of the Mass (Kyrie eleison, Sanctus, Benedictus, & Agnus Dei). While its interpretation has varied in each musical era, its literal meaning, "short mass," suggests its suitability for simpler services, perhaps a regular Sunday Mass.