Excitabo Auroram “I Will Awake the Dawn” (Ps. 65:1)By Fr. Maximilian M. Dean & Special GuestsExcitabo Auroram by Fr. Maximilian M. Dean & Special Guests is a journey from the sadness of sin towards the serene joy of Paradise. The album varies, as the theme progresses, from instrumental ensemble to a cappella Gregorian chant, from soloist to chorus, making for a wonderful musical mosaic utilizing both the ancient and the new in a sustained, prayerful meditation on the mystery of our salvation.The theme begins with the sadness of man after the fall (Bach's Aria in D ). Yet God promised Adam that the Redeemer and His Mother would crush the head of the evil serpent (Gen 3:15) and thus the focus of mankind had always been upon the joyful promise of the Messias (Veni, Veni Emmanuel )."In the fullness of time" (Ga 4:4) God sends the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary to announce the news of her Divine Maternity and the Incarnation of the Son of God (Schubert's Ave Maria ) and, upon her"yes", the Spirit descends upon her (Antiphon from 1st Vespers for the Annunciation) and she then hastens with Christ to the family of St. John the Baptist where she sings her Magnificat.Entering into the mystery of Christ, we hear of His birth (verses from the hymn for Matins in the Christmas season Jesu Redemptor ), His gift to us in the Holy Eucharist (Franck's Panis Angelicus ), His sacrifice on Calvary (Mozart's Ave Verum followed by the Vespers hymn for Passiontide Vexilla Regis ). This is followed by the victory of the Resurrection (the Vespers hymn for Paschaltide Ad Regias ) and a joyful plea for mercy to Christ who sits at the right hand of the Father in Heaven (Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris from Vivaldi's Gloria ).The album concludes with the invocation of the Holy Spirit (the Sequence of Pentecost Veni Sancte Spiritus ) and a prayer to our loving Mother in Heaven asking her to intercede for us to Christ her Son (Alma Redemptoris Mater ). In the end there is that wordless, foretaste of Heaven as the ensemble renders an exquisite arrangement of Pachelbel's Canon in D with violin, flute, harp and cello.Songlist:1.Aria in D (Bach)2.Veni, Veni Emmanuel3.Ave Maria (Schubert)4.Magnificat5.Iesu Redemptor6.Adoremus Iesum Infantem Deum (Dean)7.Panis Angelicus (Franck)8.Ave Verum (Mozart)9.Vexilla Regis10.Ad Regias11.Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris (from Vivaldi’s Gloria)12.Veni Sancte Spiritus13.Alma Redemptoris Mater14.Canon in D (Pachelbel)Musician’s:• Fr. Maximilian M. Dean (vocalist on all tracks, except for the instrumental pieces 01 & 14) • The Ensemble Mariposas (http://www.quintettomariposas.com) from Urbino, Italy (tracks 01, 02, 03, 06, 07 08 11 and 14) • The International Gregorian Schola Regina Pacis (tracks 04, 05, 06, 09, 10, 12, 13)• The Basilica Choir of San Nicola of Tolentino directed by Alessandro Pucci and Andrea Corradori (tracks 07, 08)Recording:•Recording Engineer: Fr. Maximilian M. Dean•Mastering Engineer: Chris Graham