Recording the album…

Patrick Cassidy’s The Mass for choir and organ grew from the challenges of quarantine, and became a symbol of lasting beauty sewn in hardship. During the Covid-19 pandemic, as the world struggled, we were fortunate to have the opportunity to create The Mass. Even with the challenges of virtual recording, we needed to feel the shared experience of bringing new art to life. This piece and this project demonstrate the human potential to persevere, and our spiritual capacity to grow together and find beauty even in isolation.

Matthew Whitfield of The Whole Note says of the album that “Cassidy’s writing is stunningly beautiful and primarily uses a late-Romantic idiom, with luscious harmonies and gorgeous melodies that are both profound and sublime. The singers, despite their isolation, blend with a precision and clarity that is, in a word, unbelievable, while Christoph Bull, organist-in-residence at the First Congregational Church of Lost Angeles – which houses one of the world’s largest pipe organs – is in fine form, making that single instrument sound as varied and convincing as an entire orchestra.”

The sublime nature and emotional depths of The Mass creates space for the listener to sink into themselves as its complexities wash over them. By reimagining the traditional Catholic Mass text in the context of universal solace, Patrick has given us a work for the ages, and encouraged us to consider our place in society, spirituality, and history. The rendering of the album reflects the uniqueness of this moment in recording history. Every track came from a different studio. Each of the singers and organists became their own engineer. The choir director became the primary mixing engineer, utilizing directorial skills through the slow process of integrating one line at a time by contrast to the uplifting joy of hearing voices unite in communal decisions. The organist had to fully envision the work as the first recorded track on his own, buffeted only by the wise ears of the composer, his sole audience. The mastering process relied on the time consuming joint creativity of engineer, director, organist and composer who had to envision new approaches to creating choral/organ recording synergy, and getting everyone into the “same room.” Just as the project grew from the quarantine experience, it is for those who have lived it.

This project is dedicated to all who suffered through the pandemic, whose lives were immeasurably changed and will be marked by this magnitudinous event: may this project, drawn from the tumult of our time, bring you comfort and pause as it has done for us. As the end of our poetic translation of the Credo reads: ‘I confess to a universal hope for the healing of all people through humility and compassion. I seek unity with those who have gone before, and with all life now and to come. Amen.’

Patrick Cassidy

Composer

Patrick Cassidy is a knight of Italy, conferred by the President of Italy, and bestowed with the title of Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia (Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy.This Irish composer came into prominence with the release of the Children of Lir, the first major symphonic work written in the Irish language. Recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra, it remained at Number One in the Irish Classical Charts for over a year. Following his graduation from the University of Limerick in Applied Mathematics, Patrick released his debut album Cruit in 1988. Cruit featured music by 17th and 18th century Irish harpers, arranged for Irish harp and baroque ensemble. From this foundation emerged his epochal work The Children of Lir which resulted in Patrick being bestowed with the Medal of Honour and Distinguished Alumni Award from The University of Limerick. Other works include Deirdre of the Sorrows and Famine Remembrance, which had its premiere at Saint Patrick's Cathedral, New York.

Dr. Christoph Bull

Organist-in-Residence

Christoph has performed around the world, including the U.S., Europe, Asia and Central America, and recorded for numerous albums, TV shows and movies. Equally versed in classical and popular styles, he especially likes to play organ music, rock music and rocking organ music.

Dr. David Harris

Director of Music and Arts

David specializes in new music, American music, and the intricacies of communication in choral singing and conducting.  He is also the co-director of VoiceScienceWorks, a composer, a frequent performer around LA, and a regular contributor to voice and choral publications.

Laude

Vocal Ensemble

The members of Laude represent some of the brightest vocal and choral stars in Los Angeles. Ensemble and business leaders, composers, soloists, film and stage actors, and instrumentalists make up this robust chamber group, lending it noted flexibility and strength. Laude members sing with the Cathedral Choir as section leaders in addition to meeting on their own to present more intimate musical experiences. Each member also frequently presents solo features from the breadth of their professional acumen.