Missa Gaia - Earth Mass

I have the vinyl of this. The digital recording is missing a very important piece: 'Song of Praise' and 'Dance of Gaia' Why? this reduces the quality of experience. Is there a way for us to get the digital version of the COMPLETE album?

I love this work. It is a great, serious piece of music that brings serious sacred music together with earth-centered spirituality. I performed this piece a few years ago with my community chorus and we had Jim Scott himself with us to lead. It was very exciting. Choral groups who perform this piece purchase this recording to help them learn it, but the chorus is barely audible. You can tell the one microphone was right in front of the cantor and solo mics. This is THE professional recording available for this major work, and it sounds like it was made in my basement. I wish there was a better recording available. It is popular, but it would be more popular if there were a tolerable recording available. There is really no excuse for not having one. It is performed regularly with great musicians like Stan Strickland and Jim Scott. So I am giving it a bad review, not recommending it at all, in hopes that it will spur the artists on to making a decent, balanced recording. Pleeeeeease!

In 2007 my high school sang this collection for our Spring Concert. Since it was a school night we were not able to sing everything that is listed here but the music is beautiful just the same. My music teacher really appreciates artists like Paul Winter who is willing to do something different and beautiful that can gather so many people who have similarities that were unknown.

This work manages to focus the Liturgy of the Mass on Earth and on Nature without diminishing its sacred nature at all. That is a very fine balance, indeed. The incorporation of the various instruments and animal voices makes it unique. To hear a Gregorian chant accompanied by a sitar is a surprisingly moving combination. I highly recommend this composition.

I had this on an old, worn out, wobbley sounding tape that finally gave out. This is beautiful music and an amazing live recording of this concert. I so wanted to own it again. Thank goodness Paul Winter's catalog was released. I would love to hear this live, but even more, as a singer, I would give just about anything to sing it! Wish they had the name of the gorgeous soprano solo. It was Susan something... Anyone know or remember?

The Earth Mass is something everyone should go to. I am hardly religious at all, but the entire mass is such a riveting experience. I have sung in it twice and loved it. The music is so powerful, expecially the Kyrie. The Promise of a Fisherman (Promessa de Pescatore) is a great, happy song to listen to (it's the exiting song). Buy the entire album. One song isn't enough.