Gloriæ Dei Cantores, critically acclaimed for their interpretations of American music, present an exciting collaboration with Grammy Award-winner Mark O'Connor. Featured on this recording is a 15-minute commissioned work by O'Connor, Let Us Move, with violin obligato. Also featured are arrangements of beloved hymns and folk songs from Appalachia and the South. Exploding with energy and excitement, this must-have album presents a new American classical style of music, inspired by the rich American folk tradition.

Founded in 1988, Gloriæ Dei Cantores from Orleans, MA, under the direction of Richard K. Pugsley, has touched the hearts of audiences in 23 countries in Europe, Russia, and North America, receiving extensive critical acclaim for its artistic elegance, performance authenticity, and compelling spirituality.

The choir's discography of over 50 recording showcases their extensive repertoire, encompassing both masterworks and rarely performed musical treasures from Gregorian chant to the 21st century.

"Nothing could have prepared me for the day I first heard this music sung back to me.... Gloriæ Dei Cantores' voices sounded like angels descending from Heaven, delivering and rendering my music in a way that seemed to shake the rafters and elevate the spirit." – Mark O'Connor

"In Appalachian Sketches, one of America's finest choral groups, Gloriae Dei Cantores, turns their attention to a rarely heard set of pioneer American folk hymns. A highlight of the set is the premiere recording of Let Us Move, featuring the well-known violinist Mark O'Connor. Here O'Connor continues to merge his formal virtuosity and training with his early love of traditional Appalachian folk music, and takes both in new directions. The result are both exhilarating and evocative, and one of the most successful and creative collaborations in recent memory." – Charles K. Wolfe, music historian

"What a delight!...Ms. Patterson's group is just excellent lovely tone, immersion in the text, and understanding of the style. I loved hearing the sympathetic performances of the Eight Mountain Hymns as well as the better-known arrangements. And Mark O'Connor's composition is just lovely wonderful to hear the violin moving around, within, above the voices. It's very imaginative and appealing."  Alice Parker, Melodious Accord

Track list:
1. Hark, I hear the harps eternal
2. His voice as the sound
3. Bright Canaan
4. O thou, in whose presence
5. New concord
6. Let us move (Mark O'Connor)
7. Begin, my soul
8. Tender thought
9. Social band
10. Jesus, Jesus, rest your head
11. Resignation
12. I will arise
13. Lorena
14. Holy manna
15. Angel band
16. Death shall not destroy
17. Vernon
18. Foundation