ATLANTA, Oct. 21, 2014 – The isolation and beauty of Big Sur, California, attracted numerous artists and writers in the early to mid-20th century, including Robinson Jeffers, Henry Miller, Hunter S. Thompson and Jack Kerouac. One of its biggest attractions now is the peace and tranquility provided by the New Camaldoli Hermitage, a community of Roman Catholic monks whose album, O DAY OF RESURRECTION, will be available Nov.4 from Jade Music via Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA), the specialty arm of Warner Music Group.
The CD is a 27-track recording of the monks’ beautiful chants of the Liturgy of the Hours, a community prayer, with songs and readings at specified times during the day and night, according to the rule of St. Benedict. In addition to the Mass, the principle “hours” or “offices” are Vespers, Vigils and Lauds. The album was recorded in the chapel of the New Camaldoli Hermitage, and is available now for preorder at Amazon and iTunes.
“Big Sur has always held a special place in the American psyche: a place of authentic beauty and a place of nature’s unyielding forces on the edge of the continent,” says Stefan Karrer, vice president of acquisition and distribution/head of Jade Music. “Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the New Camaldoli Hermitage moves and inspires. The monks’ dedication to the Lord and their warm welcome to visitors from around the world truly resonate on this album.”
A behind-the-scenes video of the monks at the New Camaldoli Hermitage is available online by visiting http://bit.ly/1ETP9vR.
“O DAY OF RESURRECTION is a little slice of a monastic day, the sung prayers from the hours just before dawn until just before going back to rest,” says Fr. Cyprian Consiglio, OSB Cam. “The elegant simplicity of the music and the accessibility and familiarity of the monks’ singing voices are comforting and yet somehow challenging, too. This music serves as an invitation into a deeper relationship with the inspired Word of God as carried in song in the perfect acoustic of the chapel of New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, California.”
Camaldolese Benedictine monks trace their heritage to the 6th century monastic traditions of Saint Benedict, as further defined in the 11th century by their founder, Saint Romuald. The three elements of the Camaldolese charism are solitude for personal prayer and meditation; communal prayer and work within the monastery; and contemplative outreach.
In 1958, the Camaldolese established New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur. The monks’ labors include hospitality, retreats, running a book store, writing, and original art, pottery and music. Many of the monks were called to monastic life as a second career. Former lay careers of community members include college and high school teaching, performing arts, engineering, clinical psychology, chemistry, construction and the military. Former religious careers include service as diocesan priests and as members of Benedictine, Franciscan, Salesian, Saint John of God and Redemptorist orders.
About Jade Music:
Jade Music has created a name for itself recording and distributing high-quality sacred and classical music. For more than 20 years, Jade Music has been working with renowned choirs and musicians from around the world. Jade Music is a branch of Milan Entertainment, Inc., an independently owned record company releasing soundtracks for film and TV, electronic music, a diverse roster of acclaimed artists and bestselling compilation albums offering samples of tangos, film and Latin music.
For more information, to request a review copy, or to schedule an interview with Fr. Cyprian Consiglio, OSB Cam, or Fr. Thomas Matus, OSB Cam, please contact Kevin Wandra (404-788-1276 or [email protected]) of Carmel Communications.
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