From the gate, Michael Horsphol creates a church-like performance setting with Stella Matutina. Hovering strings surround the chorus on "Pt. 1 Clemens Pia Dulcis." The flowing energy of the vocals is haunting, which is magnified as the crescendo peaks and the music breaks into silent, subtle passages. The low, bellowing decay of the darker strings (perhaps an obo or cello) opens "Pt. 2 Regina Pacis", the second cut. The music accelerates with the introduction of the choir, with the male and female voices seemingly caught in an emotively charged sonic dialogue. The musical journey deepens into the spiritual throughout "Miserere Nobis", a piece that transports the listener into mass. The message: A plea of mercy and forgiveness (taken from the Latin translation). The sounds are sweeping and beautiful. "Sancta Maria", which translates loosely into "Holy Mother" (forgive any discrepancies, other interpretations may exist) continues with its stunning, airy vocal passages. The choir's voices are simply gorgeous, subtle yet effective. The music here is spiritual, the tonality reminiscent of days spent in a church or synagogue commemorating a significant place in time, or perhaps a day of remembrance. MM