Whales, Wolves and the Missa Gaia: First Parish, Wayland, March 26

Features prominent Boston area musicians

Presenting a classical-music-based mass at a Sunday service may be nothing new. But when First Parish in Wayland presents Paul Winter’s Missa Gaia at its 10 a.m. service on March 26, attendees will hear an exciting, jazz-inflected interpretation of the centuries-old musical form. Anyone is welcome to attend, and it is suitable for children.

Missa Gaia translates as “Earth Mass,” a hint that something different is in store. The piece was developed by Paul Winter, a jazz and world music musician who has won seven Grammy awards. It weaves haunting, yet beautiful recorded calls of wolves, whales, a harp seal, and a loon through the 20-minute performance. The First Parish choir and soloists will be accompanied by a band of Boston-area professional classical and jazz musicians, rather than by an orchestra.

Missa Gaia was commissioned by the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan, where the first performance took place. First Parish first performed the piece in 2016. A soaring saxophone takes its cue from prerecorded wolf pack calls introducing the piece, while piano, guitar, drums, and percussion provide rhythms from West Africa and Brazil.

Twice a year, First Parish presents a Music Sunday open to the public. Each Music Sunday event features a major musical work. The March 26 service will last for about one hour.

More information (including parking guidance) is available at www.uuwayland.org or call 508-358-6133. First Parish is located at 225 Boston Post Rd. in Wayland, at the intersection of routes 20 and 27.

Photo credit: Анатолий Чесноков on Unsplash

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