Novus Magnificat
Encyclopedia
Novus Magnificat: Through the Stargate (1986) is a New Age
album by Constance Demby
, with additional sonic textures by composer Michael Stearns
. The album sold over 200,000 copies worldwide and made Demby one of the most successful New Age artists of the time. It was voted in 2002 one of "The 25 Most Influential Ambient Albums of All Time", and Piero Scaruffi
described it in 2003 as "possibly new-age music's ultimate masterpiece."
for "New Magnificat
". Inspired by Western classical
and sacred music, Novus Magnificat was self-defined as "A Magnificat and Exaltate for digital orchestra, choral voices, and special electronic images" and "Dedicated to the Infinite One..."
The music was performed using the Emulator II, one of the first digital sampling synthesizers available: this provided and combined the sound of real symphonic instruments and choirs under a single keyboard, hooked to a Roland Juno 60 "for arpeggiated effects and enhanced sounds".
Nothing being written down or scored in advance, the album was directly composed and recorded in 1985 by Demby at the keyboard. The music was further enhanced with electronic textures by composer Michael Stearns
and refined with record co-producer and label co-founder Anna Turner
. The result was termed, "Music conjured by the future, rooted in the Western sacred tradition."
, first on cassette in 1986, then on CD
in fall 1987 (along a vinyl LP in Japan, licensed to Alfa Records
). It was the first of the four Demby albums this label would release or re-release between 1986 and 1995. The album was also broadcast in full on Hill's syndicated radio show Hearts of Space
, in program 105 on June 13, 1986.
In 1987, the last movement of "Novus Magnificat, Part One" (dubbed "My Heart Doth Soar") and the first movement of "Novus Magnificat, Part Two" (dubbed "The Flying Bach") were selected by Demby for her self-released 1978–1986 best-of compilation Light of This World (cassette and CD versions: the vinyl could only fit "The Flying Bach").
In 2001, the "Hearts of Space" label's trademark and catalogue were sold to Valley Entertainment
, still distributing the album . In 2008, the CD version was complemented with Novus Magnificat (Alternate Version), a downloadable digital album (MP3
files, 256 kbps, released June 6, 2008) with the same music cut in a new tracklist of eleven movements.
, the album is described as "Contemporary classical
Spacemusic" in its liner notes, or "symphonic space music" by Allmusic. Its subtitle "Through the Stargate" is complemented with a space-themed cover reminiscent of 2001: A Space Odyssey (whose novel version
featured a "Star Gate").
The album is also often ranked among ambient music
albums, but Demby once noted "Though we are honored, Novus Magnificat is not really 'ambient' " on her site.
wrote, "There is no other recording in the electronic genre rooted in the harmonies of Bach and the romantics that is so heartfelt", and it was noted for "its Bach-like organs crescendos, its Vivaldi-like string passages" in Pulse!
magazine.
Though it was not nominated at the newly-created "New Age" category of the Grammy Award
s, the album sold over 200,000 copies worldwide, making Demby one of the most successful New Age artists of the time, and helped build the reputation of Hearts of Space Records.
In 2002, Echoes
coproducer Jeff Towne "polled a panel of experts", 16 judges who voted the album #24 of "The 25 Most Influential Ambient Albums of All Time" for New Age Voice. In A History of Rock Music: 1951-2000 (2003), music critic and historian Piero Scaruffi
described it as "possibly new-age music's ultimate masterpiece."
Two of these movements had already been named in 1987 for the best-of compilation Light of This World. Four more were named (some with a different title) as free MP3 samples provided on Demby's website since at least 2001: this partial tracklist had "Ascent", "Choral Climax" (now "Exultate"), "My Heart Doth Soar", "The Flying Bach", "Certainty" (now "Trust"), and "Stargate" (now "Through the Stargate").
Technical
Graphical
New Age music
New Age music is music of various styles intended to create artistic inspiration, relaxation, and optimism. It is used by listeners for yoga, massage, meditation, and reading as a method of stress management or to create a peaceful atmosphere in their home or other environments, and is often...
album by Constance Demby
Constance Demby
Constance Mary Demby is an American multi-instrument musician and composer. Demby is identified with the New Age movement , while some of her output is also classified as ambient or space music. She is also a singer, instrument designer, painter, sculptor, and multi-media producer...
, with additional sonic textures by composer Michael Stearns
Michael Stearns
Michael Stearns is a United States musician and composer of ambient music. He is also known as a film composer, sound designer and soundtrack producer for large format films, theatrical films, documentaries, commercials, and themed attractions....
. The album sold over 200,000 copies worldwide and made Demby one of the most successful New Age artists of the time. It was voted in 2002 one of "The 25 Most Influential Ambient Albums of All Time", and Piero Scaruffi
Piero Scaruffi
Piero Scaruffi received a degree in Mathematics in 1982 from University of Turin, where he did work on the General Theory of Relativity. For a number of years he was the head of the Artificial Intelligence Center at Olivetti, based in Cupertino, California. He has been a visiting scholar at...
described it in 2003 as "possibly new-age music's ultimate masterpiece."
Creation
The title Novus Magnificat is LatinLatin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
for "New Magnificat
Magnificat
The Magnificat — also known as the Song of Mary or the Canticle of Mary — is a canticle frequently sung liturgically in Christian church services. It is one of the eight most ancient Christian hymns and perhaps the earliest Marian hymn...
". Inspired by Western classical
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
and sacred music, Novus Magnificat was self-defined as "A Magnificat and Exaltate for digital orchestra, choral voices, and special electronic images" and "Dedicated to the Infinite One..."
The music was performed using the Emulator II, one of the first digital sampling synthesizers available: this provided and combined the sound of real symphonic instruments and choirs under a single keyboard, hooked to a Roland Juno 60 "for arpeggiated effects and enhanced sounds".
Nothing being written down or scored in advance, the album was directly composed and recorded in 1985 by Demby at the keyboard. The music was further enhanced with electronic textures by composer Michael Stearns
Michael Stearns
Michael Stearns is a United States musician and composer of ambient music. He is also known as a film composer, sound designer and soundtrack producer for large format films, theatrical films, documentaries, commercials, and themed attractions....
and refined with record co-producer and label co-founder Anna Turner
Anna Turner (producer)
Anna Turner was an American producer and administrator. Turner is best known as the original partner of Stephen Hill for launching the space music radio show Hearts of Space: she was its original radio co-producer and early co-host , as well as co-founder and record co-producer of the associated...
. The result was termed, "Music conjured by the future, rooted in the Western sacred tradition."
Releases
Novus Magnificat was released by Stephen Hill's Hearts of Space RecordsHearts of Space Records
Hearts of Space Records is an independent record label owned by Valley Entertainment.From the label’s website, “Launched in 1984, this record label was created as an extension of the weekly syndicated radio show Hearts of Space...
, first on cassette in 1986, then on CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
in fall 1987 (along a vinyl LP in Japan, licensed to Alfa Records
Alfa Records
, originally Alfa Music, was established in 1969 by composer and record producer Kunihiko Murai. It was formed into an independent record label known as Alfa Records in 1977.- History :The company faced much hardship in the 1990s...
). It was the first of the four Demby albums this label would release or re-release between 1986 and 1995. The album was also broadcast in full on Hill's syndicated radio show Hearts of Space
Hearts of Space
Hearts of Space is a United States weekly syndicated public radio show featuring music of a contemplative nature drawn largely from the ambient, New Age and electronic genres, while also including classical, world, Celtic, experimental, and other music selections...
, in program 105 on June 13, 1986.
In 1987, the last movement of "Novus Magnificat, Part One" (dubbed "My Heart Doth Soar") and the first movement of "Novus Magnificat, Part Two" (dubbed "The Flying Bach") were selected by Demby for her self-released 1978–1986 best-of compilation Light of This World (cassette and CD versions: the vinyl could only fit "The Flying Bach").
In 2001, the "Hearts of Space" label's trademark and catalogue were sold to Valley Entertainment
Valley Entertainment
Valley Entertainment is a United States music distributor and independent record label based in New York City. The company was founded in 1996 by Barney Cohen, president and CEO. In 2001, they acquired the prestigious back catalogue of space, ambient, and New Age music from Hearts of Space Records...
, still distributing the album . In 2008, the CD version was complemented with Novus Magnificat (Alternate Version), a downloadable digital album (MP3
MP3
MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...
files, 256 kbps, released June 6, 2008) with the same music cut in a new tracklist of eleven movements.
Genre
Following Demby's previous studio album Sacred Space Music (1984), Novus Magnificat was tagged "Sacred Space II" (later "Sacred Space Series, vol. II"). Considered part of the New Age musicNew Age music
New Age music is music of various styles intended to create artistic inspiration, relaxation, and optimism. It is used by listeners for yoga, massage, meditation, and reading as a method of stress management or to create a peaceful atmosphere in their home or other environments, and is often...
, the album is described as "Contemporary classical
Contemporary classical music
Contemporary classical music can be understood as belonging to the period that started in the mid-1970s with the retreat of modernism. However, the term may also be employed in a broader sense to refer to all post-1945 modern musical forms.-Categorization:...
Spacemusic" in its liner notes, or "symphonic space music" by Allmusic. Its subtitle "Through the Stargate" is complemented with a space-themed cover reminiscent of 2001: A Space Odyssey (whose novel version
2001: A Space Odyssey (novel)
2001: A Space Odyssey is a science fiction novel by Arthur C. Clarke. It was developed concurrently with Stanley Kubrick's film version and published after the release of the film...
featured a "Star Gate").
The album is also often ranked among ambient music
Ambient music
Ambient music is a musical genre that focuses largely on the timbral characteristics of sounds, often organized or performed to evoke an "atmospheric", "visual" or "unobtrusive" quality.- History :...
albums, but Demby once noted "Though we are honored, Novus Magnificat is not really 'ambient' " on her site.
Reception
USA TodayUSA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
wrote, "There is no other recording in the electronic genre rooted in the harmonies of Bach and the romantics that is so heartfelt", and it was noted for "its Bach-like organs crescendos, its Vivaldi-like string passages" in Pulse!
Pulse!
Pulse! was a tabloid magazine published by Tower Records which contained record reviews, interviews and advertising. Initially, it was given away free in their stores to promote their record sales. After nine years, in 1992, the magazine began national distribution with a cover price of $2.95,...
magazine.
Though it was not nominated at the newly-created "New Age" category of the Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
s, the album sold over 200,000 copies worldwide, making Demby one of the most successful New Age artists of the time, and helped build the reputation of Hearts of Space Records.
In 2002, Echoes
Echoes (radio program)
Echoes is a daily two-hour music radio program hosted by John Diliberto featuring a soundscape of ambient, space, electronica, and New Age music. The program features in-depth artist interviews and intimate "living room" performances. Interview subjects have included Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel,...
coproducer Jeff Towne "polled a panel of experts", 16 judges who voted the album #24 of "The 25 Most Influential Ambient Albums of All Time" for New Age Voice. In A History of Rock Music: 1951-2000 (2003), music critic and historian Piero Scaruffi
Piero Scaruffi
Piero Scaruffi received a degree in Mathematics in 1982 from University of Turin, where he did work on the General Theory of Relativity. For a number of years he was the head of the Artificial Intelligence Center at Olivetti, based in Cupertino, California. He has been a visiting scholar at...
described it as "possibly new-age music's ultimate masterpiece."
1986 cassette album
- "Novus Magnificat, Side One" – 26:18
- "Novus Magnificat, Side Two" – 28:22
1987 vinyl album
- "Novus Magnificat, Part One" – 26:15
- "Novus Magnificat, Part Two" – 28:05
1987 compact album
- "Novus Magnificat, Part One" – 26:24
- "Novus Magnificat, Part Two" – 27:14
2008 digital album
- "Soul's Journey" – 6:51 ["Novus Pt. 1" – 26:34]
- "Ascent" – 5:12
- "Tears for Terra" – 4:26
- "Exultate" – 6:06
- "My Heart Doth Soar" – 3:59
- "The Flying Bach" – 6:06 ["Novus Pt. 2" – 27:40]
- "Trust" – 4:56
- "Bridging Dimensions" – 3:15
- "Through the Stargate" – 4:45
- "Magnificat" – 3:58
- "Cosmic Carousel" – 4:40
Two of these movements had already been named in 1987 for the best-of compilation Light of This World. Four more were named (some with a different title) as free MP3 samples provided on Demby's website since at least 2001: this partial tracklist had "Ascent", "Choral Climax" (now "Exultate"), "My Heart Doth Soar", "The Flying Bach", "Certainty" (now "Trust"), and "Stargate" (now "Through the Stargate").
Personnel
Musical- Constance DembyConstance DembyConstance Mary Demby is an American multi-instrument musician and composer. Demby is identified with the New Age movement , while some of her output is also classified as ambient or space music. She is also a singer, instrument designer, painter, sculptor, and multi-media producer...
– emulated "violas, violins, celli, bassoon, harp, piano, organ, French horn, bells, electronic effects, tympani and chorus" on synthesizers (Emulator II digital sampling, Roland Juno 60), piano (YamahaYamahaYamaha may refer to:* Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services** Yamaha Motor Company, a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company...
C-9 Concert Grand)
- with
- Michael StearnsMichael StearnsMichael Stearns is a United States musician and composer of ambient music. He is also known as a film composer, sound designer and soundtrack producer for large format films, theatrical films, documentaries, commercials, and themed attractions....
– "additional electronic images and textures" on synthesizers (Serge Modular, Yamaha DX-7, Oberheim OB-8Oberheim OB-8The Oberheim OB-8 is a subtractive analog synthesizer launched by Oberheim in 1983 and discontinued in 1985. It belongs to the OB-X product line of polyphonic compacts synthesizers and is successor to the OB-Xa...
) and "The Beam" (custom 24-string acoustic instrument)
- Michael Stearns
Technical
- Recording: Constance DembyConstance DembyConstance Mary Demby is an American multi-instrument musician and composer. Demby is identified with the New Age movement , while some of her output is also classified as ambient or space music. She is also a singer, instrument designer, painter, sculptor, and multi-media producer...
- Additional engineering and track re-mastering: Warren Dennis (at The Banquet Studio, Santa Rosa, CA) "who made significant technical and musical contributions throughout the project"
- Mixing: Stephen Hill, Warren Dennis (at The Banquet Studio, on Thiel CS-3 and Spica TC-50 monitors)
- Production: Constance DembyConstance DembyConstance Mary Demby is an American multi-instrument musician and composer. Demby is identified with the New Age movement , while some of her output is also classified as ambient or space music. She is also a singer, instrument designer, painter, sculptor, and multi-media producer...
, Anna TurnerAnna Turner (producer)Anna Turner was an American producer and administrator. Turner is best known as the original partner of Stephen Hill for launching the space music radio show Hearts of Space: she was its original radio co-producer and early co-host , as well as co-founder and record co-producer of the associated...
Graphical
- Original cover painting: Geoffrey Chandler (Visionary Publishing, Inc.)
- Art direction: Nelson & Toews Design
Primary sources
- Demby, ConstanceConstance DembyConstance Mary Demby is an American multi-instrument musician and composer. Demby is identified with the New Age movement , while some of her output is also classified as ambient or space music. She is also a singer, instrument designer, painter, sculptor, and multi-media producer...
(2007). "Novus Magnificat" at ConstanceDemby.com via Archive.org - Demby, ConstanceConstance DembyConstance Mary Demby is an American multi-instrument musician and composer. Demby is identified with the New Age movement , while some of her output is also classified as ambient or space music. She is also a singer, instrument designer, painter, sculptor, and multi-media producer...
(2007). "The creation of Novus Magnificat" at ConstanceDemby.com via Archive.org - HOSHearts of Space RecordsHearts of Space Records is an independent record label owned by Valley Entertainment.From the label’s website, “Launched in 1984, this record label was created as an extension of the weekly syndicated radio show Hearts of Space...
. "Novus Magnificat" (cassette liner notes), San Francisco: Hearts of Space RecordsHearts of Space RecordsHearts of Space Records is an independent record label owned by Valley Entertainment.From the label’s website, “Launched in 1984, this record label was created as an extension of the weekly syndicated radio show Hearts of Space...
, 1986, SKU HS003, UPC 025041100342 - HOSHearts of Space RecordsHearts of Space Records is an independent record label owned by Valley Entertainment.From the label’s website, “Launched in 1984, this record label was created as an extension of the weekly syndicated radio show Hearts of Space...
. "Novus Magnificat" (compact liner notes), San Francisco: Hearts of Space RecordsHearts of Space RecordsHearts of Space Records is an independent record label owned by Valley Entertainment.From the label’s website, “Launched in 1984, this record label was created as an extension of the weekly syndicated radio show Hearts of Space...
, 1987, SKU HS11003-2, EAN 0025041100328 (UPC 025041100328) - HOSHearts of Space RecordsHearts of Space Records is an independent record label owned by Valley Entertainment.From the label’s website, “Launched in 1984, this record label was created as an extension of the weekly syndicated radio show Hearts of Space...
. "Novus Magnificat" (vinyl liner notes), San Francisco: Hearts of Space RecordsHearts of Space RecordsHearts of Space Records is an independent record label owned by Valley Entertainment.From the label’s website, “Launched in 1984, this record label was created as an extension of the weekly syndicated radio show Hearts of Space...
licensed to Tokyo, Japan: Alfa RecordsAlfa Records, originally Alfa Music, was established in 1969 by composer and record producer Kunihiko Murai. It was formed into an independent record label known as Alfa Records in 1977.- History :The company faced much hardship in the 1990s...
, 1987, SKU ALI-28071
Secondary sources
- Digital Audio (1988). "Constance Demby: Novus Magnificat", Digital Audio & Compact Disc Review, byline "LK", February 1988
- Phoenix, Robert (2007). "Constance Demby: Heavy Metal Thunder", January 23, 2007 at eMusic.com via Archive.org
- Scaruffi, PieroPiero ScaruffiPiero Scaruffi received a degree in Mathematics in 1982 from University of Turin, where he did work on the General Theory of Relativity. For a number of years he was the head of the Artificial Intelligence Center at Olivetti, based in Cupertino, California. He has been a visiting scholar at...
(2003). A History of Rock Music: 1951-2000, iUniverseIUniverseiUniverse, founded in October 1999, is a self-publishing company, co-located with AuthorHouse in Bloomington, Indiana. Publishers Weekly notes iUniverse has partnerships with The Writers' Club and the Writer's Digest .-History:iUniverse initially focused on business-to-consumer print-on-demand...
(self-publishing), 2003, ISBN 0-595-29565-7, p. 319. (An updated text is also in the online version of the book, chapter "New-age music 1976-89".) - Towne, Jeff & Manzi, Peter (2002). "The 25 Most Influential Ambient Albums of All Time", New Age Voice, October 2002 issue, reprinted at NewAgeVoice.com via Archive.org (also reproduced with a free audio list at Echoes.org via Archive.org)
- Wright, Carol. [ "Novus Magnificat"] at Allmusic
External links
- Novus Magnificat at Hearts of SpaceHearts of SpaceHearts of Space is a United States weekly syndicated public radio show featuring music of a contemplative nature drawn largely from the ambient, New Age and electronic genres, while also including classical, world, Celtic, experimental, and other music selections...
- Novus Magnificat at Hearts of Space RecordsHearts of Space RecordsHearts of Space Records is an independent record label owned by Valley Entertainment.From the label’s website, “Launched in 1984, this record label was created as an extension of the weekly syndicated radio show Hearts of Space...