Album Notes

The Parish Choir of the Church of the Ascension and Saint Agnes has received numerous accolades over the years and has maintained a long history of choral excellence. Under the direction of Dr. Haig Mardirosian, the choir's repertory includes plainchant as well as the works of composers from all parts and ages of the Western Church: Lassus, Palestrina, Josquin, Tallis, Byrd, Victoria, Cardoso, Stanford, Poulenc, Kodaly, Walton, Mardirosian, Steel, Pärt, and Stravinski. The Church of the Ascension and Saint Agnes is one of the few places in the Washington Metropolitan Area where this music can regularly be heard as an integral part of the traditional western liturgy for which it was composed. Their previous recording features two mass settings and other works by the composer, Orlande de Lassus, and was released under the Centaur Label.

In addition to the widely eclectic choral selections, featured instruments include the church’s glorious 55-rank Létourneau Organ, string orchestra, flute, and percussion.