A fourth album from a group of Benedictine nuns is topping the charts, just as their earlier three have.
«Easter at Ephesus» (De Montfort Music/Decca/UMC) this past weekend reached the #1 spot on Barnes & Noble’s Music Bestseller, besting such pop hits as Empire: Original Soundtrack and Van Morrison’s Duets. The Benedictines have again sustained the #1 spot on Billboard’s Classical Traditional Chart, as well as hitting #1 on Amazon and iTunes’ classical charts.
Easter at Ephesus features an array of chants and hymns that are sung with a purity of sound that perfectly evokes and celebrates the Easter season.
Founded in 1995, the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, are a young, contemplative order.
The highly acclaimed voices of the nuns along with their story have resonated with audiences throughout the world. Easter at Ephesus follows their chart-topping albums Advent at Ephesus, Angels and Saints at Ephesus and Lent at Ephesus. All four albums debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Classical Traditional Chart and the Benedictines have been Billboard’s best-selling classical traditional artist for three consecutive years, from 2012 onwards.
The Sisters have received accolades and coverage from the likes of USA Today, FOX&Friends, The Wall Street Journal, Good Morning America, National Public Radio, CBS Sunday Morning and beyond.
To watch a new EPK trailer for Easter at Ephesus click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGLB0wOdJyk
The order’s Prioress, Mother Cecilia, vacated her seat in the horn section with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra in Ohio to enter religious life, despite her conservatory background where music was emphasized over religion. A graduate of The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University in Houston, Texas, Mother Cecilia acts as arranger and drives the selection of repertoire for the recordings. Sr. Scholastica, the Order’s sub prioress, helps design their album artwork.
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To purchase Easter at Ephesus:
On ZENIT’s Web page:
An interview with Mother Cecilia after the release of Advent at Ephesus:
http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/music-to-live-advent-with-our-lady-part-2
