Customer Reviews

The Soul of Chant

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One of the remarkable things about this CD of chant is that it was done by the monks of the Benedictine community of Santo Domingo de Silos decades before their CD simply entitled 'Chant' would take the world by storm. These chants were recorded in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and preserved (not in the best of conditions) by the abbey; the recordings had deteriorated and had to be restored. This makes this recording all the more remarkable, for one can hear the resonance and small details, the subtle accompaniment of the organ (not always a feature for chant, but here as a drone of sorts in the back establishing a base tone, or occasionally going up and down with the monks), and even background noise from around the abbey.

According to scholar Patrick Kavanaugh, 'there are no parallels to chant in the history of music in terms of its longevity, importance or influence.' Chant is generally without regular beats or meters, so different communities will develop their own sense of the chant. Chant can be designated as syllabic or melismatic, meaning that each note will be a different syllable for the former, or extended melodies on the same syllable for the later. Most of what is commonly understood as chant is melismatic, and that is what is represented here on this disc.

Chant could be used to sing the Daily Offices, the biblical texts, and parts of the Mass. That is what is on this disc - there are five difference masses offered here, with the Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus and Agnus Dei for each (the first three also have the addition of the Credo). Each Mass has different features. The first mass, 'Lux et origo', is one for the Easter season. 'Fons bonitatis' is a much more solemn chant setting. 'De angelis' is a very well-known setting, being used frequently. 'Cum jubilo' is a setting for the Blessed Virgin Mary, and 'Orbis factor' can be used for any Sunday in Ordinary time during the liturgical year.

The booklet included gives a brief description of how some of the chant has been studied, maintained or revived in different places, including the monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos, which is a recognised centre of scholarship and practice for chant.

This is a very powerful recording.

This is an excellent gregorian chant record, despite the fact that it was originally registered in the late 1950's, early 1960's; I would even dare to say, it is one of the best gregorian chant records I have ever listened. The quietness, the peacefulness and the clearness (every word sung is totally perceptible by the listener) that the monks of Santo Domingos de Silos Monastery put on their performance (if is possible to call perfomance to an act of pure prayer...) is simply a superb joy for the soul. I would point out the "Credo" played in the thirteenth track: absolutely fantastic!

Great CD. My wife and I listen to it almost daily. We even use it for prayer sessions. Also the product was in perfect condition and and was as advertised. We're totaly satified.