Track Listing

1. Veni Redemptor Gentium
2. Amazing Grace
3. Miserere - Joyful Company Of Singers
4. Veni Creator Spiritus
5. Auguries Of Innocence - Wright, Gavyn
6. Auguries Of Innocence - Schwartz, Paul
7. Be Still My Soul
8. Angelica
9. Simple Gifts
10. State Of Grace - Wright, Gavyn
11. Miserere - Mintzer, Bob

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #112980 in Music
• Released on: 2000-11-06
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .16 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
Producer and composer Paul Schwartz thanks many people on State of Grace, but there is one notable exclusion, 12th-century nun Abbess Hildegard von Bingen. Although these aren't her compositions, echoes of her ecstatic hymns and sequences resound throughout Schwartz's latest electronica-classical opus. He composes his own 21st-century gothic chants sung by the impassioned soprano, Lisbeth Scott. Scott is a powerful singer who brings a more emotional, perhaps even lustful, tone to these electro-Gregorian evocations, gliding over synthesiser ministrations and violin from the durable Gavyn Wright. Paul Schwartz was also responsible for the Aria CDs, on which he updated operatic arias with dance beats. State of Grace benefits from the less oppressive rhythmic regimentation, letting these soaring melodies ring out. When Schwartz deviates from his gothic inspirations, State of Grace flags, notably on a predictable rendition of "Amazing Grace", a misguided Celtic take on the Shaker hymn, "Simple Gifts" and a trio of instrumentals. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews

state of grace review
just a beautiful album! sad yet calming and good for the soul!