Alleluia

Taize

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 23, 1995)
• Original Release Date: May 23, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Gia Publications
• ASIN: B000003YKB
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #106,231 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent, June 6, 2001

By	A. Hogan (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Hyperbole notwithstanding, this is simply the purest prayer available in recording in the Western tradition{ outside of Gregorain or Ambrosain Chant and Orthodox Chant.} taize`, dubbed by JOHN XXIII{of blessed memory} as"that little springtime" has been re-connecting young people for 50 years to the sacred simplicity of early Christianity with its empahsis on prayer,hospitality ans commonality. These songs here,very simple phrases repeated over and agian, are meditative and achingly beautiful.From the opening BLESS THE LORD to the final stirring notes of cantante domino , this is deeply moving and almost pure in its essence. If music can improve a person, this will.Humbling.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Moments of peace, June 24, 2000

By A Customer

When I informed my friends that I was moving to China I received this CD as a gift. In my first months away from home I discovered in the peacefull songs of this CD a place to scape away from the lonely bad moments. In Alleluia you`ll find a invitation for moments of deep meditation. The songs have very short lirics sang in many languages reflecting the universal character of the CD. The beautiful music`s arrangement let you relax and joy. It was recorded in one of the International Young meeting that occurs on New Year`s day and bring us messages of hope, love, corage and more than anything peace. More than the other CD`s from Taize, Alelluia is a resume of wonderful musical moments as "Nada te turbe", "Confitemini Domino" and many others.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Living Tradition of Contemporary Chant, April 13, 2005

By	Timothy Kearney (Hull, MA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Religious chant music has become popular in the past ten or fifteen years, especially the Gregorian chants of the Benedictine tradition. Other forms of chant from the orthodox tradition are likewise experiencing resurgence in interest. Some who listen to this music, whether for relaxation or prayer, believe it is timeless, but it is also believed that it is a form of music from another era. Chant lovers can become intrigued when they discover that this ancient form of prayer is not static and a present-day Christian monastic community has developed a contemporary form of chant based largely on the chant traditions of the Benedictines and orthodox traditions, as well as modern hymns. The community that developed these contemporary chants is known as Taize and is located in France.

The music of Taize is rather simple, but it has a beauty that is derived from its ethereal feeling. The chants follow one of three basic forms. Some of the chants are simple musical notes repeated over and over, others are a refrain with verses, and others are rounds. The music corresponds with Taize's unique method of praying. The words of the chants are in a variety of languages, representing the community members from around the world, as well as the various peoples that visit the community from all over the world.

ALLELUIA is similar to other Taize recordings. It contains music used in their prayer and liturgical celebrations. Some of these chants such as "Wait for the Lord" "Bless the Lord" and "Per Crucem" have become popular in liturgical worship, particularly in the Catholic tradition. While I am giving these recording five stars, it is based on the quality of the chants, not the flawlessness of the recording. One of the reasons the music of Taize is so moving is due to its being recorded live rather than in studios, which can mean imperfections. While there is little background noise, the engineering is not that advanced. Still, these slight flaws add an authentic flavor to the flavor of the recording.