Audio Video News

Sono Luminus has announced that Crossing Over, the new album by the Skylark Vocal Ensemble, is the label’s fifth release to be recorded and mixed in Auro-3D surround sound.

The album, considered to be one of the finest recordings Sono Luminus has ever produced, will be available March 25 on Amazon as a Pure Audio Blu-Ray release with three mixes: stereo, 5.1, and Auro-3D, the last two of which are contained in a standard PCM file offering high-resolution audio in each channel.

Crossing Over is comprised of compositions that depict the dream state at the end of life. “Featuring unique voices in choral composition, Crossing Over will take audiences on a musical and emotional journey that will tap deeply into the human spirit and illuminate the mystery of the end of mortal life and the possibilities of life beyond,” according to Sono Luminus and Auro Technologies.

The album features several well-known contemporary composers, as well as compositional voices that are just gaining notoriety. Skylark will commemorate British composer Sir John Tavener with the first US commercial recording of “Butterfly Dreams”, an eight-movement dream-state piece composed in 2003. American composers will be prominently featured as well, with a rare recording of William Schuman’s “Carols of Death”, based on the poetry of Walt Whitman.

Preview the album here:

Notably, the album will feature two young American compositional voices, with the debut recording of Robert Vuichard’s “Heliocentric Meditation” based on the poetry of John Donne, and a recording of “Elegy” by Daniel Elder, based on the tune “Taps”, played at U.S. military funerals. The album also includes seldom-heard music from the Icelandic choral tradition, including the first U.S. recording of “Requiem” by Jón Leifs and an inspiring ancient psalm setting by contemporary Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir.

The Skylark Vocal Ensemble is a chamber choir of professional soloists and music educators from across the United States. Formed in 2011 under the direction of Matthew Guard, Skylark has been described as “a gem… soloists who come together to create a dynamic and inspiring whole.” Skylark performs innovative programs that help reinforce the intent of the composers to communicate truths about the human condition. A not-for-profit entity, Skylark also performs educational outreach programs with students across the United States during their concert tours and they will be touring this album in 2016/2017.

“The unique and spiritual vibe of Crossing Over will come even more across as listeners will be enveloped by the soul-stirring sounds of Skylark in Auro-3D,” said Collin J. Rae, Sono Luminus CEO. “We are once again excited to deliver this exceptional and uplifting experience to consumers.”

The album is available for pre-order on Amazon.