COMPOSER’S NOTE

The original version for solo soprano and SATB choir first appeared on my debut album Blue in Blue in 2004.  It was subsequently recorded by Hayley Westenra for her Number-One-selling album Odyssey and, in 2014, Patrick was approached by Voces8 to produce a version for them with saxophone which featured on their Number-One-selling album Eventide.

The words, by my brother Andrew, express a heartfelt longing for the joys of heaven – a happiness to be shared in a future moment of meeting.  The ecstasy of this moment is certainly underlined by the soprano line, with the repetition of key words ‘mane‘, ‘gaudia‘ and ‘conventus‘ deepening the intensity of the yearning for bliss.

Other versions for solo piano, solo harp, orchestra and choir & cello are also available.