The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass
Sigrid Johnson, associate conductor
Charles Kemper, piano
Monroe Crossing Bluegrass Quintet

VocalEssence Ensemble Singers
Philip Brunelle, conductor

Minnesota composer Carol Barnett offers this unusual Mass setting in more-or-less classical style, orchestrated with Bluegrass instruments.  The result is tailor-fit for VocalEssence a vocal ensemble which has made a reputation for first-rate performances of this type of crossover music. This CD also includes ten American choral masterpieces spanning the centuries, including Randall Thompson, William Billings, Libby Larsen, Stephen Paulus, Ned Rorem, Eric Whitacre and others.

This CD is in the enhanced format, which includes the audio recording plus program notes, texts and biographies in PDF format which are accessible when put into a computer. Plays in a standard CD player.

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass brought out the best in both ensembles. The sophisticated choral sound and the jubilant bluegrass harmonies made the text come alive.

—Minneapolis Star Tribune

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass
Carol Barnett, composer
Marisha Chamberlain, librettist
Special Guests: Monroe Crossing
1. Ballad Refrain - [ 0:40 ]
2. Kyrie - [ 3:10 ]
3. Ballad, First Verse - [ 0:40 ]
4. Gloria - [ 2:53 ]
5. Ballad, Second Verse and Refrain - [ 1:10 ]
6. Credo - [ 4:20 ]
7. Sanctus - [ 3:03 ]
8. Ballad, Third and Fourth Verses and Refrain - [ 3:28 ]
9. Agnus Dei - [ 2:17 ]
10. Interlude: “Art Thou Weary?” - [ 2:23 ]
11. Benediction - [ 2:34 ]
12. Conclusion - [ 0:47 ]

13. O Praise the Lord of Heaven (William Billings) - [ 3:41 ]
14. The Paper Reeds by the Brook (Randall Thompson) - [ 2:14 ]
15. Beneath These Alien Stars (Libby Larsen) - [ 4:05 ]
16. The Day is Done (Stephen Paulus) - [ 4:05 ]
17. I Cannot Dance, O Lord (Aron Jay Kernis) - [ 3:40 ]
18. Sing My Soul (Ned Rorem) - [ 2:03 ]
19. Heritage (William Bolcom) - [ 1:59 ]
20. Zuni Sunrise Song (Brent Michael Davids) - [ 3:10 ]
21. Water Night (Eric Whitacre) - [ 4:06 ]
22. My Soul’s Been Anchored (Moses Hogan) - [ 3:08 ]

Total Playing Time - [ 59:36 ]