Sono Luminus and Auro Technologies will soon release ‘Crossing Over’, the newest album by the Skylark Vocal Ensemble. The album was recorded and mixed in Auro-3D and is claimed to be one of the finest recordings Sono Luminus has ever produced. ‘Crossing Over’ will be released on Pure Audio Blu-Ray, with an immersive Auro-3D mix alongside traditional Stereo and 5.1 mixes.
Auro-3D is an exciting move from two-dimensional surround sound formats to three-dimensional sound, achieved by adding the missing dimension in sound ‘height’ (in front of and all around the listener).
‘Crossing Over’ is comprised of compositions that depict the dream state at the end of life. Featuring unique voices in choral composition, ‘Crossing Over’ will take audiences on a musical and emotional journey through the human spirit and illuminate the mystery of the end of mortal life and the possibilities of life beyond.
The album features several established contemporary composers, as well as rising compositional voices. Skylark will commemorate British composer Sir John Tavener with the first US commercial recording of “Butterfly Dreams”, an 8-movement dream-state piece composed in 2003. American composers will be prominently featured as well, with a rare recording of William Schuman’s “Carols of Death”, based on the poetry of Walt Whitman. Notably, the album will feature two young American compositional voices, with the debut recording of Robert Vuichard’s “Heliocentric Meditation” based on the poetry of John Donne, and a recording of “Elegy” by Daniel Elder, based on “Taps”, a dirge played at US military funerals. Skylark will also share stunning and seldom-heard music from the Icelandic choral tradition, including the first US recording of “Requiem” by Jón Leifs and an ancient psalm setting by contemporary Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir.
It is an album of world premieres and rarely recorded music that will be reinforced by the immersive experience of Auro-3D. Once more, the Auro-3D format provides the perfect fit for music and the dramatic impact it provides.
The Skylark Vocal Ensemble is a chamber choir of professional soloists and music educators from across the US. Skylark attempts to perform programs that help reinforce the intent of the composers to communicate truths about the human condition. A not-for-profit entity, Skylark also performs educational outreach programs with students across the United States during their concert tours and they will be touring this album in 2016/2017.
“The unique and spiritual vibe of ‘Crossing Over’ will come even more across as listeners will be enveloped by the soul-stirring sounds of Skylark in Auro-3D,” said Collin J. Rae, CEO of Sono Luminus. “We are once again excited to deliver this exceptional and uplifting experience to consumers.”
Wilfried Van Baelen, inventor of the Auro-3D format and CEO of Auro Technologies, states,
“This is an exceptional album of which the experience will truly get elevated by having the Auro-3D experience,” said Wilfried Van Baelen, inventor of Auro-3D, CEO of Auro Technologies. “Our immersive sound format is known to convey the emotional impact of music as no other, and this album will be a reflection of the format’s capabilities.”
The Auro-3D format will soon be available in many other consumer applications, with mobile, automotive, and gaming versions all bringing a new immersive sound to the market very soon.
The album will be the 5th album, released via the Sono Luminus label, with an Auro-3D Immersive sound mix. ‘Crossing Over’ by Skylark will become available on Pure Audio Blu-Ray as of March 25th 2016. The album will be available via Naxos through all major brick-and-mortar retailers worldwide as well as via online channels such as Amazon.
