Nueva Misa Latinoamericana

Employing a combination of Latin American musical styles, this festive new bilingual (Spanish-English) Mass setting was written to draw multicultural assemblies into enthusiastic participation in the liturgy. Reflecting the diversity of cultures Hispanics bring to the U.S. from all parts of Latin America and the Caribbean, the mix of musical styles includes the huayno rhythm, which is used in the traditional music of the Andes.

The setting had a dramatic premiere. When the mantle from the Virgin of Guadalupe was brought to the Los Angeles Coliseum in the 1990s, Mauricio Centeno was commissioned to lead the music for the liturgy, which drew an assembly of more than 70,000. For this special celebration, he composed the pieces that would eventually become Nueva Misa Latinoamericana.

Beautifully recorded by an impressive ensemble of talented musicians, the CD shows the full potential of this rich and multi-layered music. Arranged for vocals, piano and guitar, the songs also offer well-written parts for flutes, trumpets, violins and sampoñas (pan flutes), as well as an array of Latin percussion, including timbales, congas and charangos.

Written with verses in Spanish and English, Nueva Misa Latinoamericana offers the flexibility of singing the parts entirely in either language or bilingually. Includes settings for the Kyrie, Gloria, Memorial Acclamations A, C and D, Holy, Amen, Lord's Prayer and Lamb of God. Instrument parts, including parts for violin, will be available in manuscript form.