A musical journey through the Tongan islands containing authentic field recordings (1978-88). The album concludes with the astonishing new choral work Pacific Song: Chants from the Kingdom of Tonga - 'a work of musicological significance. David Fanshawe's Pacific Song is a model for how to make multicultural music accessible to everyone.' ACDA Choral Journal, USA.

Armed with a rucksack and a stereo tape recorder, David Fanshawe began a symbolic, now legendary, cross-shaped journey through Africa from 1969 to 1972, succeeding in recording music from well over 50 tribes. 'Sanctus' is a highly original work in which very different cultures have been imaginatively and ingeniously fused, with the composer's love of the world, hope for the future and belief in one music--one God. There are 16 songs, with various kinds of accompaniment, from drums and percussion, lead and bass guitar and piano to organ, harp and trumpets. This is one of the most spirited, energetic CDs we have ever heard, as if the African veldt suddenly sprouted an Italian cathedral. For instance, 'Crucifixus: Rain Song' combines driving drums, rain sounds, strange native percussion instruments, a soaring choral soprano solo, electric guitar, massed chorus and piano. One of our favorites, 'Sanctus: Bwala Dance, Lamentation' combines chorus with powerful rhythmic drums, piano, sound effects and native voices. Other favorites are 'Chants: Cattle Songs,' and 'The Lord's Prayer.' A wonderful new composition by the composer, 'Dona Nobis Pacem-A Hymn for World Peace' is included, in both short and long versions. A stunning masterwork! Recommended.

Herbert Chappell's highly acclaimed original BBC Film is the story of a remarkable journey made by the composer and explorer David Fanshawe which inspired his celebrated work African Sanctus. The film retraces his musical steps up the river Nile to the source of the Nile`s music. Featuring many of the original musicians he first recorded in 1969, Fanshawe explains the ethos behind his work and the process of composition. On a quest to find his African mentor, The Hippo Man, he ventures forth. The original film African Sanctus was the BBC nomination for the 1976 rix Italia Prize, nominated for the greatest creative contribution to television. The Updated Film, (Director Herbert Chappell 1995), projects stirring and poignant images of Africa, This film combines authentic footage spanning 20 years, with Fanshawe`s brilliant and innovative score. We see glimpses of the performance with The Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Choristers of St Georges Cathedral, solo Wilhelmenia Fernandez, conducted by Neville Creed. The film also introduces Fanshawe`s new work Dona Nobis Pacem - A Hymn for World Peace. African Sanctus is a visionary work which expresses unity between diverse peoples their faiths and their music. African Sanctus is testimony to the rich heritage of world music and has became a landmark in our musical lives.

Premiered at the 2007 ACDA convention in Miami, this compelling work displays the result of Fanshawe's 10 year odyssey across the islands of the Pacific as it blends indigenous field recordings with live singers and instrumentalists. This is the single chorus edition and includes: Hulo hulo, Muli tu pe, 'Otuhaka.

Premiered at the 2007 ACDA convention in Miami, this compelling work displays the result of Fanshawe's 10 year odyssey across the islands of the Pacific as it blends indigenous field recordings with live singers and instrumentalists. This is the double chorus edition and includes: Hulo hulo, Muli tu pe, 'Otuhaka.

David Fanshawe presents important highlights from his monumental Pacific Collection, recorded over fourteen year (1978-92). The album focuses on the rich variety of authentic himene (hymns) indigenous to Tahiti, the Cook Islands, the Society Islands and others. The 44-page booklet provides extensive information about the music, transcriptions and translations of the lyrics and is richly illustrated with colour photos.

Traditional chants, dances & other music from Rapa Iti, Fiji, Hawaii, New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, Tokelau, Niue, Nauru, Tuvalu, Marquesas, Tahiti, Bora Bora, Cooks and Easter Island. A comprehensive and fascinating anthology of the exciting drum dances, hulas and awe inspiring chants of the Polynesian islands. 38 tracks. 'It's all suffused with a great sense of exuberance and excitement.' Includes great booklet with lots of text & photos.

Chants, hymns, dances from Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap and Palau. Recorded in Micronesia by David Fanshawe. The second in our trilogy of albums compiled from the Fanshawe Pacific Collections, stick dances, Star Path navigating chants, marching songs and historical chants from the Republic of Palau. An important and fascinating musical document. Great booklet, lots of text & photos.

If you wish to experience a wide cross-section of authentic Pacific island music - then this is it! This album presents highlights, personally selected by David Fanshawe the Pacific Collections. Represents many Pacific island nations, the Fanshawe Collection focuses on the rich variety of authentic music indigenous to Oceania;- traditional music of great beauty and contrast - - a musical source for us all to enjoy. Music from Cook Islands, Tonga, Western Samoa in Polynesia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu in Melanesia and Kiribati and Chuuk in Micronesia. Traditional chants, church singing, Bamboo and string bands, nose flute, love song, action dances and the wonderful voice of the legendary Aggie Grey in Western Samoa.

Music of the Nile is the companion source album to African Sanctus. This album contains the pure, original African field recordings on their own, without the composed settings of the Latin Mass. Features some of the glorious ethnic music of Egypt, Sudan, Uganda and Kenya, recorded between 1969-75. Some of the most energetic and exciting recordings of African traditions including full versions of all the original ethnic music used in African Sanctus, from Uganda, Egypt, Sudan and Kenya. Bwala Dance, Call to Prayer, Cattle boy's song, Dingy Dingy dance, Song of lamentation, Ritual burial dance plus many more important African recordings both musical and environmental, of the authentic sounds of the great waterway - the river Nile.

Featuring music from Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands & Papua New Guinea. Recorded in the Pacific by David Fanshawe (1978-86) The final part of the Pacific Trilogy of albums features ancient chants, delightful hymns, pan pipes, Gilo stones, String Bands and some beautiful songs.