Novus Magnificat

Creation

The title Novus Magnificat is Latin 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."

Releases

Novus Magnificat was released by Stephen Hill's Hearts of Space Records, 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 as of 2009. In 2008, the CD version was complemented with Novus Magnificat (Alternate Version), a downloadable digital album (MP3 files, 256 kbit/s, released June 6, 2008) with the same music cut in a new track list 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 music, 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.

Reception

USA Today 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 Awards, 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.

Track listing

All compositions by Constance Demby.

1986 cassette album

1. "Novus Magnificat, Side One" – 26:18
2. "Novus Magnificat, Side Two" – 28:22

1987 vinyl album

1. "Novus Magnificat, Part One" – 26:15
2. "Novus Magnificat, Part Two" – 28:05

1987 compact album

1. "Novus Magnificat, Part One" – 26:24
2. "Novus Magnificat, Part Two" – 27:14

2008 digital album

1. "Soul's Journey" – 6:51 ["Novus Pt. 1" – 26:34]
2. "Ascent" – 5:12
3. "Tears for Terra" – 4:26
4. "Exultate" – 6:06
5. "My Heart Doth Soar" – 3:59
6. "The Flying Bach" – 6:06 ["Novus Pt. 2" – 27:40]
7. "Trust" – 4:56
8. "Bridging Dimensions" – 3:15
9. "Through the Stargate" – 4:45
10. "Magnificat" – 3:58
11. "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 track list had "Ascent", "Choral Climax" (now "Exultate"), "My Heart Doth Soar", "The Flying Bach", "Certainty" (now "Trust"), and "Stargate" (now "Through the Stargate").

Personnel

Musical

Technical

Graphical