MANY PEOPLE (SPECIALLY THE YOUNG) SAY MASS IS BORING. PRIESTS AND OTHERS RESPOND IT IS BECAUSE YOU DO NOT SEE WHAT IS THERE. THE ANNO DOMINI MASS ENABLES THEM TO SEE WHAT IS THERE.

"That's exactly what icons are meant to do in the Eastern Rite churches... provide a "window" into heaven, so we can visualize reality beyond our direct senses. The videos in Anno Domini are an icon of the reality of the Mass that is beyond our direct senses. And once we get in touch with that reality, it changes our perspective and leads to deeper conversion."Mike Harrison

Early in 1998 I felt inspired to mark the Millennium in a spiritual way. After all, it was AD 2000 - Anno Domini 2000 - the Year of Our Lord! ANNO DOMINI is a Mass for the Millennium, using the language of our time, just as Mozart and Hayden once wrote with the vocabulary of their time. Bringing together elements of Church music over the past 2000 years, mixed with cultural influences from around the world to mark the universal nature of today's Church, coupled with state of the art computer technology. This is perhaps the first serious attempt to make our Catholic worship 3 dimensional, as is the modern world around us.

The Anno Domini Mass has now been celebrated by priests and bishops across Europe, North, Central, and South America, in 4 different languages. The Anno Domini CD is available both in English and in Spanish. The Spanish version also includes some of the videos for the first time. It may be that having seen how Mass could be in the 21st century, it will inspire many others to turn the gifts God has given to them back to His glory and His Church, the world over.

"I watched with tears from my heart. Your music is so very beautiful. You have married the past and present and created the future. It contains only love and you pray the words and it is the most wonderful hope for the millennium. God is using you in a powerful way. Good luck in the USA - our loss!" Mrs. K.K.

"I saw Sal Solo's Anno Domini - I thought it was wonderful. I am a 57 year old Catholic . I have also been to charismatic prayer groups. I can't go enough now, so I really enjoyed Anno Domini." Mrs. D.M.

"I truly appreciated Sal Solo's songs. This way the message would reach more young and old people. Please wish Sal Solo good luck in work in the vast Americas." G.G.

"Words cannot express the effect your Anno Domini has on me. As soon as it started I burst into tears! Thank you a million times for making it!" Nancy, Maryland.

During the year 2000, the Anno Domini Mass was translated into German and celebrated in many towns throughout Germany in February and July. It was translated into Spanish and celebrated again in Spain, in the cathedral of Burgo de Osma. It has been celebrated at youth events across the USA, in Arkansas, California, and other parts. The Youth Director in California wrote:

" His presentation is remarkable and the adult leaders and youth participated fully in the event. His concert is a mix of media and music as well as his Anno Domini Mass. The mass was also enjoyed by the priests who were presiding and co-presiders stating it was one of the highlights of their priesthood."

Grapevine magazine wrote:

Sal Solo - Anno Domini

"I will state it very simply - this is the most important piece of work to come down the track in many a year. A truly revolutionary setting for the Mass, Anno Domini perfectly combines and integrates several different musical styles - Gregorian chant, classical, world music rhythms and pop - and is a truly inclusive piece of music. The world population is represented through this setting. It is powerful and prayerful, evoking strong emotion and great reverence, while at the same time creating a tremendous temptation to move and dance in prayer. The different pieces (Lord Have Mercy, Gloria, Alleluia, etc.) are at once anthem-like, simple, and very easy to learn (I was singing them after the second listen) while also being extremely sophisticated. There is wonderful orchestration throughout, and very appealing African rhythms. >From a strictly production point of view, Anno Domini is a masterpiece. Tech heads will marvel at the fact that the entire project, orchestration and all, was produced on a Mac G3 laptop! The artwork and packaging are very well done as well.

Although Sal Solo does the lead vocals and produced all the music, the listener does not at all get a sense that he dominates the work. This is music taken from and given back to God. It is much bigger than the artist himself.

As with any great work, there is one weakness - the lyrics are very hard to hear. The vocals are masked in the music and even with the benefit of headphones, it is still difficult to make out some of the lyrics (even though they are very familiar).

Anno Domini is not just a listening experience, but a multi-media one as well, with stark and creative images flashing on large video screens during the mass. It is an event that involves the whole person. This work is the perfect vehicle for welcoming in the new millennium and the Jubilee called for by Pope John Paul II. It is exciting, extremely well done, prayerful, and very, very new."

anno domini