Biscantorat Sound Of The Spirit From Glenstal Abbey (2004)

"The word Biscantorat is coined from the old Latin proverb qui cantat bis orat (whoever sings, prays twice), and the CD features a mix of song, chant and spoken word, tracing the course of the liturgical year from Advent through Pentecost. The poet John O'Donoghue recites sonnets and the Glenstal monk Mark Patrick Hederman offers "an invitation for the listener to meditate with us". In fact Biscantorat is intended to be a sort of aural prayer book. Those who took part hope the recording will offer a bridge for people who feel disillusioned by the institutional structure of the church and who seek a return to reflection in their own personal space. Listening to the CD, one is immediately struck by the distinctiveness of [Sinead] O'Connor's voice - its raw, almost primeval sound forming a startling contrast with the effortless smoothness of the voices of the Glenstal monks, who have, of course, been singing plainchant together on a daily basis for many years." (Irish Times)