“music of simplicity and warmth…. like staring through a time telescope into the past to something simple and pure” – All About Jazz
NPR’s Weekend Edition Features Moving Interview With Fr Cassian Folsom
Watch CBS Newspath
NEW YORK – BENEDICTA: Marian Chant from Norcia is Billboard’s #1 Classical Traditional Album for the third week in a row. The Monks’ success continues following their #1 trend, where they also bested superstar recording artists such as Taylor Swift and Willie Nelson as the #1 Best-seller at Barnes & Noble.com, #2 Best-seller at Amazon.com and Top 40 on iTunes’ overall chart respectively. Competing with pop, rap and country superstars, these Monks’ located in Italy, have miraculously struck a global chord with consumers and media alike via their transformative, ethereal music and fascinating human-interest story. BENEDICTA is available now on De Montfort Music & Decca Records/Universal Music Classics.
Religion News Service- redistributed widely- across notables such as The Washington Post recently reported on The Monks’ appeal, stating “churches may be in decline, but Gregorian chant beats secular competition.” To read the story click here: Washington Post
The moving music of BENEDICTA was recorded by a group of 18 men; half American citizens and half representing a variety of cultural backgrounds who collectively are heralded as one of the most authentic active singing communities of Gregorian chant today. They are led by Fr. Cassian Folsom, Prior – an American who studied voice at the venerable Indiana University before joining the monastery. Fr. Cassian just completed a rare trip to New York City, where he visited SiriusXM’s Symphony Hall Channel, which will feature a special interview that will also be syndicated on the national radio program, “Millennium of Music.”
Chicago’s premiere classical radio station WFMT selected ‘Benedicta’ as its New Release of the Week and also just aired an insightful interview with Fr. Cassian. Click here to listen: WFMT Fr Cassian Story Similar applause came from reputable tastemaker The Buffalo News, who ran a four star review of ‘Benedicta’ noting “The voices are really as one.” Read entire review here.
In addition to the monks daily monastic life devoted to prayer and music, they also strive to communicate their vision of life by way of “earthly experiences.” To that end, The Monks of Norcia operate a craft brewery at the monastery, Birra Nursia, where they produce brews that have gained devotees from distant countries, bringing new visitors to Norcia, adding to their compelling backstory in an unexpected way.
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