The Benedictines of Mary are a contemplative order who is once again making some noise by releasing its fourth musical album tomorrow.
“Easter at Ephesus” is a 27-track album that features a seasonal array of glorious chants and exhilarating hymns for Eastertide with the unearthly and highly acclaimed voices of the nuns that have inspired audiences throughout the world. The women have accomplished all of this without leaving their Missouri farmland.
The Sisters first three albums — focused on Lent, Advent and angels and saints — topped Billboard’s Traditional Classical Album chart since 2012 and received accolades from CBS Sunday Morning, AP, EWTN, NPR, Rome Reports, Wall Street Journal, CatholicTV, Vatican Radio, Good Morning America, USA Today and beyond. Selections in “Easter at Ephesus” once again aims to bring hearts closer to the season. It takes listeners from Easter through Pentecost.
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Pre-order and album information
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The album features angelic renditions of “Ascendit Deus” with text from Offertory of Ascension Thursday, plus tracks such as Ravanello’s “Pascha Nostrum” from the Communion Verse for Easter Sunday Mass. The Sisters also included Palestrina selections and original compositions such as “Queen of Priests.”
Highlights from “Easter At Ephesus” include well known hymns with signature new arrangements of:
- “The Clouds of Night”
- “Jesus Christ is Ris’n Today”
- “This is the Day”
- “Alle Psallite Cum Luya”
- “Oculus Non Vidit”
The album features a 12-page booklet with original artwork and all the lyrics in English. Latin songs are translated in English, as well. The booklet also will be available digitally with the album on iTunes. “Easter at Ephesus” was produced by 11 time Grammy Award-winning producer Christopher Alder.
The Sisters’ music label, De Montfort Music is a division of AimHigher Recordings, which specializes in bringing the best in sacred music to market. The Benedictines of Mary accounted for three of the Top 5 Traditional Classical Album Imprints of last year.
