November 22nd: ‘Pax Aeterna’ by Tom Donald & The Benedictine Monks Hits the Airwaves

‘Pax Aeterna’ is the incredible and ground-breaking new album from Tom Donald & The Benedictine Monks of Pluscarden Abbey. The album will be released on November 22nd.

Australian pianist Tom Donald discovered a Gregorian Chant vinyl 15 years ago, leading him to fuse it with jazz piano. This unique blend became his passion, targeting a fresh audience. His journey took him to Pluscarden Abbey, Scotland, where Benedictine Monks have chanted in Latin since the 6th century. Together, they recorded live, uniting piano and chant in their ancient Abbey. This album, meticulously mixed and mastered at Abbey Road Studios, harnesses the power of Dolby Atmos technology to capture the pristine acoustics of Pluscaden Abbey and the soulful resonance of a Blüthner Grand Piano.

The Monks of Pluscarden Abbey and Tom Donald : Gregorian Chant and Piano from London Contemporary School Piano on Vimeo.

The ancient Scottish Abbey’s soundscape, combined with live piano improvisations, left the Abbey Road sound team spellbound. Discover the nearly extinct art of Gregorian Chant—sung in the Benedictine Tradition in Latin, six times daily starting at 4:30 a.m. Few communities still practice this ancient art, and even fewer are open to recording in the Dolby Atmos format, especially when intertwined with modern piano improvisations. This rare and precious album is now ready to be shared with the world.

Tom Donald an Australian London-based pianist and composer is celebrated for his captivating piano pieces and performances he is the founder of the London Contemporary School and Piano and is known for his concert improvisations and award-winning film compositions from “Leaving Baghdad” and “Tangled up in Blue”. Tom’s “Ealing Concert” album and concert earned him comparisons with Keith Jarrett in its improvisational scope.

STREAM ON ALL PLATFORMS