Songs & Prayers from Taize

Taize | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 23, 1995)
• Original Release Date: May 9, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Gia Publications
• ASIN: B000003YKF
• Also Available in: Hardcover  |  Paperback
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,986 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #36 in Music > Indie Music > Christian & Gospel > Gospel

Track Listings

1. In the Lord

2. Veni Sancte Spiritus

3. Alleluia 7

4. Bless the Lord

5. Confitemini Domino

6. Kyrie 10

7. Stay With Us

8. Crucem Tuam

9. The Lord Is My Light

10. Psallite Deo

11. Laudate Omnes Gentes

12. Wait for the Lord

13. When the Night Becomes Dark

14. Gospodi Pomiluj

15. The Lord Is My Song

16. Magnificat [Choral]

17. Within Our Darkest Night

18. My Soul Is at Rest

19. Jubilate, Servite

20. Laudate Dominum

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple admiration of the Creator, August 5, 1999

By 

Eva Lengyel (Connecticut,USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Songs & Prayers from Taize (Audio CD)

I have visited Taize a few years back, and this CD brings me back a lot of very nice memories...The simplicity and pureness of the musicand songs are every day reality forthose living there.It is dedicatedto God, in many languages of the Globe...the songs are so grabbing,simple, yet beautiful-just like themessage God has for Humanity.It iswritten with eternal Love.The CD isan excellent aid for those who pray,meditate, or simply looking to relaxtheir mind...It feels, as you are there, with them.It is a truly spirit lifting experience, a breathof fresh air...from Heaven.

63 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best sacred music after Gregorian, December 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Songs & Prayers from Taize (Audio CD)

If you are looking for inspiration to pray while singing and/or listening to music, listening to Taize is certainly one of the most fulfilling spiritual experiences. I have been listening to Taize for about 10 years, and I do not cease to find inspiration in the simple yet beautiful tunes the Taize community offers to the Christian world.

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful music, October 15, 2005

By 

FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Songs & Prayers from Taize (Audio CD)

Taize style music is very popular among college-age worshippers today, and our Centre for University Ministry regularly offers Taize services. The hallmarks of Taize services are simplicity, peaceful spirituality, and music based upon the chant styles of the Taize monastery in France. Founded in the aftermath of the second World War by Brother Roger, who died in a prayer service in the midst of the community in August 2005, Taize is dedicated to peace and ecumenical action.

Taize music is both simple and sophisticated. Brother Roger, founder of Taize, seeks to add a prayerful element to music, and a musical element to prayer, believing firmly in the old dictum, 'those who sing, pray twice'.

The songs of Taize are designed to be sung by those who have difficulty carrying a tune, as well as those whose training and background in music extends to high levels.

This recording contains many of the best Taize chants. Given the international outreach of Taize (it is a great pilgrimage site for people all over the world), the chants tend to be sung in Latin. The Latin is not due to Catholic influence as much as it a shared language among many people's linguistic heritage while no longer being anyone's first language. Brother Roger reclaimed Latin as a language for the monastery so that no one 'living' language would claim a dominance over others.

Taize worship relies on psalms heavily, as well as periods of silence, Bible readings, and prayers. Some such pieces are included here.

The way Taize chants 'work' is that they are simple phrases and simple tunes that gradually reveal depth and sophistication by being repeated over and over. All chants presented in this text are put in multiple-part harmony (usually four-part), and some are marked to be done in rounds.

This recording is a rich expression, wonderfully presented. According to Brother Roger, all who follow this journey of the spirit remain alongside other people, adding their prayers and voices together. 'They do not separate prayer and commitment.'