Customer Reviews

Into Great Silence: Office of the Night

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is the soundtack from Philip Groenings film 'Into Great Silence'. It includes Matins - Introduction - Psalm 3, The Beginner Accepts His Robe, Introït - Veni, Et Ostende Nobis Faciem Tuam, Offertory - Super Flumina Babylonis, Vespers - Hymn (Saint Ambrose) - Psalms 144, 145, Pentecost Matins - Venite, a Reading: Exceprt from Saint Ambbrose, Corpus Christi - Canticle of Saint Ambrose..., Matins & Lauds - Psalm 96 - Canticle of the Three Chi and Salve Regina.

These are not remixed nor a sound booth recording studio production. These are taken from the movie of the same name. So if you were blessed enough to see the movie, just close your eyes and you will be back with the Chartusians as you listen. If you were moved by the movie, or aspire to the contemplative life, this is a must have. It allows you to share in a spiritual experience.

The Carthusians in their authentic manner have retained the essence of plain chant, without any accompaniment. It is like being with them and seeing how it has been said, that they ae halfway to Heaven !

Ok, see the movie reviews for more details but if you don't have the time for 3 hours of blessed quiet, try this soundtrack which contains most of the spoken/chanted prayer portions from the movie. You can play it in the car on the way to work or whenever you need a bit of stress relief and know that these faith filled monks are praying for all of us around the world.

The musical audio companion to Into Great Silence film, Groening's selection and recording resonates with the music and sounds of a cloistered community. Evocative of Henri Nouwen's accounts of the Desert Fathers and their ministry. The components advanced by Arsenius to Flee, Be Silent, and Pray All Ways acquires a superb example in this CD. None of the cloying production of earlier popularization of gregrian chants, this music is for no audience but God's by his community.

I thought this was only for monastic follwers. I was wrong. Silence rocks, and if you can't keep it down (verbally), you're SO LOST.
We look for perfection in others.They do not find it useful. We are not perfect, we only think we are.

The theater experience was phenominal, totally quiet before, during and after.
You can't go home th same person!!!

See it somewhere, anywhere, whereever you can.
You will never forgive yourself for missing tis.
10 Stars

The sung offices and readings of the monks prayer services throughout the day and night are featured. Their chant is much less "flashy" and unadorned than that of Trappists or Benedictine monks. It fits with the austerity and solitude of Carthusian life. The austere chants are haunting.

The film was excellent, and the music is very well done. Though there are other versions of Gregorian chant that I prefer, this one seems more real after watching these holy men live their lives in devotion to Our Lord. "Silence" truly is golden.

Having spent many years surrounded by the intricacies of Gregorian Chant, especially as encompassed in the Divine Office, I was very curious as to just how this recording would sound in beauty, in joy, in prayer. As I found the film "Into Great Silence" to be visually and aesthetically breath-taking, I was a bit apprehensive about the simple sounds of the Office. This recording is, however, marvelous, with enough bells, kneeler banging, wheezing, coughing to set the mind's eye alight with magnificent and simple peace. As a companion to the film, it is excellent. On its own, it is wonderfully complex and delightful. If a listener enjoys applied Gregorian as expostulated in the Divine Office, this recording is a treat, indeed.

I bought the DVD when it came out and was glad to be able to get the "soundtrack". Just what I wanted.

Very enjoyable item. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was well worth the very reasonable price. I did not have to wait long for it to arrive and the quality is excellent. Thank you very much.