Missa Gaia / Earth Mass

PROGRAM

Missa Gaia Earth Mass
composed, improvised, and assembled by
Paul Winter, Paul Halley, Jim Scott, and others

The silver sound of a soprano saxophone echoes the haunting four-note call of a female tundra wolf. The theme of the Alaskan wolf, a species which has existed for 30 million years, is taken up by the choir with the words, “Kyrie eleison”, which are Greek for “Lord, have mercy”. This is the spirit that inspires the choral work Missa Gaia/Earth Mass (Gaia is Greek for Earth).

Written in 1981 for the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, to celebrate Mother Earth, Missa Gaia is both ecumenical and ecological, reflecting compiler and jazz saxophonist Paul Winter’s desire to create a mass “which would embrace all the voices of the Earth”. This it does by including soloists, a seven-piece jazz ensemble, world percussion from different cultures, whales, loons, harp seals, wolves, a choir and the audience.

Surrounding and interlacing four traditional movements of the mass: the Kyrie, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei are several stirring pieces, ranging from Brazilian folksong and swinging gospel to traditional styles and Gregorian chant, which speak of the beauty of our ancient home and our interconnectedness with all of Creation.

Soloist Denise Pelley needs no introduction to London audiences. A vocalist of rare talent and beauty, she has been part of the Missa Gaia performances from the beginning, and Baritone Paul Grambo adds his unique gospel style to the work.

For this special final performance of the Karen Schuessler Singers, KSS will be joined by former choristers who have sung this extraordinary work over the past 33 years, creating a choir of over 70 voices.

The choir is accompanied by the Missa Gaia Jazz Ensemble led by Stephen Holowitz, piano, with Dave Wiffen, soprano saxophone, Marg Stowe, guitar, Mitch Tyler, bass, Rob Larose, drums, Greg Mainprize, percussion, and Ron Fox, pipe organ.

Partnering with KSS for this concert will be the Thames Talbot Land Trust and the Humane Society of London and Middlesex, emphasizing the theme of celebration for the whole of Creation.

The rich variety of voices and styles mirror the truth that our Earth is made up of tremendous diversity, and the varied musical parts come together powerfully to reflect the greater whole. This unique work is about reclaiming the ancient knowledge that our world is a sacred place.