Here you can listen to Excerpts:

While you read the story below...

"...no words can adequately convey the depth and richness of this album...”

“Judging this album by ordinary standards is ridiculous."

Bill Binkelman, ZMR Music Review

Ancient, Precious Texts

Composer Steven Chesne spent a year unearthing ancient, precious peace invocations and prayers from all over the world: words of the oneness of mankind, spoken by:

Buddha, Lao Tzu, Jesus, Mohammed, the Sikhs, the Hindu, the Jews, the Cheyenne, the Kikuyu, and the Baha'i.

Studying with Experts

Under the guidance of scholars, and tribal and religious leaders, Chesne studied the subtle nuances that underlie these sacred peace prayers.   Chesne met with:
historians  •  translators  •  monks  •  gurus  •  rabbis  •  imams  • swamis  •  linguists.

The Message

Deep research on pronunciation, emphasis, and phrasing was made, as well as a deep dive into the complexities of interpretation and translation.

Steve Chesne

Writing the Music

Each invocation or prayer is represented by its own song, using world traditions mixed with the colors of Chesne's unique style of contemporary composition.

When listening to each seperate song, the listener is not aware of it ... but each song is actually a part of a puzzle.

Pristine Recordings

The pieces were recorded with gifted, extraordinary vocalists from around the world.

But here's the big "twist"...

In the finale ("Nyansapo - the Wisdom Knot"), phrases from all of the traditions are interwoven together - one on top of another - in a web of blissful counterpoint - accompanied by the orchestra.


“Sapient is one of the most original and unique albums I have ever heard…Chesne has to be one of the finest composers of his day to create a moment of genius like this …”

 

“This is yet another powerful composition by the master composer …This thought provoking project is amazing …”

 

“I can't imagine that there is anyone else on the planet that could have made an album like Sapient. Something exquisitely magical …”

 

“Clearly was inspired from somewhere beyond regular human means. It speaks to a deep longing inside every one of us.”


“A monumental and eventful release. Ambitious and visionary.”
“Sapient is a landmark recording. It deserves to be celebrated.”

 

“This is life changing music.”
Lofty, masterful, and passionate.”

 

“Magnificent, remarkable album.”

 

“How Chesne pulled this off ... is a testament to an artist feeling so much passion for a project that nothing would stand in his way."


“Steven Chesne is a composer and musician of great quality, perhaps even genius in motion …Chesne has manifested something special here.”

Music Review, One World Music

Simply outstanding...this is a must purchase album for the entire world, without doubt.”

Steve Sheppard, Music Reviewer

“Tears spring to my eyes every time I hear it.”

Holly Shaw, Author, "The Creative Formula"


“Beautiful and masterfully crafted…”

Angel Romero, World Music Central

“Poignant, transcendent music…”

R J Lannan, The Sounding Board

“Chesne’s work as a composer here is sublime.”

Music Review, One World Music

"Both imploring and sensitive.”

Steve Sheppard, Music Reviewer

 

The Tracks & Vocalists