Quanta Qualia

The original version for solo soprano and SATB choir appeared on Patrick’s debut album Blue in Blue.  It was subsequently recorded by Hayley Westenra for her Number-One-selling album Odyssey and, in 2014, Patrick was approached by the amazing Voces8 choir to produce a version for them which featured on their Number-One-selling album Eventide.

The words express a heartfelt longing for the joys of heaven – a happiness to be shared in a future moment of meeting.  The ecstasy of this moment is certainly underlined by the soprano solo, with the repetition of key words ‘mane’, ‘gaudia’ and ‘conventus’ deepening the intensity of the yearning for bliss.

Other versions for solo piano or orchestra are also available.