Biscantorat (Sound Of The Spirit From Glenstal Abbey)

Biscantorat was recorded in the Autumn of 2003 in the Benedictine Monastry at Glenstal Abbey, Murroe, Co. Limerick, Ireland. Joining the community of monks in this unique recording are Marie-Bernadette O'Connor (= Sinéad O'Connor), John O'Donohue and Noirin Ni Riain. Biscantorat is coined from an ancient proverb, that to sing is to pray twice - qui cantat, bis orat. Here you experience sounds, voices, Latin chants, Irish songs, English Hymns, tracing the course of the liturgical year from Advent through Pentecost. Voices singing alone, voices singing together, voices in harmony. Contributors: A.M.E.N. (Eoin Ó Súilleabháin, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Nóirín Ní Riain), Andrew Cyprian Love OSB, Glenstal Abbey Monastic Schola, John O'Donohue, Marie Bernadette O'Connor, Mark Patrick Hederman OSB, Nóirín Ní Riain Glenstal Abbey School Senior Choir 2004 sing on track 12 · Mark Cosgrave, David Hayes, Shane Farrell, Morgan McEligott, Patrick Macnamara, Stephen Murphy, James O'Dowd, Noel Reilly, Mark Shanahan Tracks 1, 13, 20 Mark Patrick Hederman OSB · Glenstal Music Track 2 Martin Shaw (1879-1958) Oxford University Press Tracks 3, 7, 12 Nóirín Ní Riain, Paul Nash OSB, Marie Bernadette O'Connor Track 4 Marie Bernadette O'Connor Tracks 5, 6, 9, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21 Nóirín Ní Riain & Paul Nash OSB & Glenstal Music Track 8 John O'Donohue All three sonnets from the poetry collection Conamara Blues, published in 2000 Track 10 Nóirín Ní Riain, Marie Bernadette O'Connor Project Co-Ordinator: Hannah Baird Design & Layout: Dave Turner Stained Glass On Cover: James Scanion from Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne, Cork Photography: Annika Johansson Text Front Cover: Marie Bernadette O'Connor Artwork liaison in Glenstal: Ciaran Forbes OSB Sleeve Notes: Martin Browne OSB Recorded at Glenstal Abbey by DanDan FitzGerald Assisted by Steve Hampson Mixed by Dave Carugo Mastered by Tim Martin Musical Direction: Nóirín Ní Riain & Paul Nash OSB Produced by Nóirín Ní Riain Hummingbird would like to thank Entertainment Architects, Gerry Craven, Gordon Judge, David Forrer @ Witherspoon & Associates, Judy Murray, Geraldine Hennessey, Pat Savage at O.J. Kilkenny. The Abbot and Monks of Glenstal for their kindness and generosity.