Gregorian Chant

by David Foil

Book Overview

An exciting book-and-compact disc format brings together great works of music performed in their entirety by leading classical artists of this century and accompanied by explanations and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 188482241X
• ISBN13: 9781884822414
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.2" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

Beauty, Mystery, Faith, Timelessness

When I say that this is the finest single recording of chant that I have ever heard- I mean it. I've listened to a great deal of chant and this recording is special. Perhaps it is because the choir of the Abbey of Hellouin is composed of both Olivetian Benedictine monks and the sisters of Le Bec from the order of St. Frances the Roman. You can find all male chant, and you can find all female chant, but this perfect blending of the two is almost unique.I wouldn't be too concerned with worrying that this is "Catholic" music, for this is Holy music from a time before there was Catholic and Protestant- or Catholic and Orthodox for that matter (though the east does have a separate tradition of chant.) For that matter, the Abbey of Hellouin also includes chant from both Byzantine and Protestant traditions in their ecumenical repertoire- but not on this recording. For that matter, it is pointed out that other religious traditions such as the Tibetan, Hindu, and American Indian all have their own variations of holy chant.This is a coordinated production of not only the excellent recording, but also of a beautifully designed hard cover booklet with a pocket in front for storing the CD. This book is illustrated with well-chosen illustrations of historical paintings, illustrated manuscripts, drawings, and photographs. The general history of chant is covered, but also, the rest of the text is co-coordinated so that you can follow along with the meaning of the music, selection by selection.As for the content, the entire liturgical year is covered: Jerusalem (Urbs Jerusalem, Da pacem, laetatus sum, Ecce quam bonum), Holy Week (Ubi caritas, Ecce vidimus sum, Lamentation, Ecce quomodo), Easter (Haec dies, Victimae paschali laudes), Pentecost (Caritas dei, Alleluia veni sancte spiritus, Veni sancte spiritus), Psalm for the Office of Advent (O Dieu sauveur, Conditor aime siderum, Jerusalem, Aspiciens a longe, Ecce Nomen Domini, Alma redemptoris mater), Mass of advent (Ad te levavi, Kyrie eleison, Universi, Alleluia, Preface, Dicite pusillanimes, Notre Pere.)I could listen to this music every single day.

A Great Choice for Lovers' of Old Church Music

This CD is an especially great find for those of us who grew up with both Latin and French Gregorian Chant. The simple book accompanying this CD selection provides a basic, well-written history of Gregorian chant. The selections are all lovely. My favorite piece is the final Notre Pere in French.