Gregorian Sampler, Solesmes

The Monks of Solesmes have selected a sampling of the "best" Gregorian chants, including "Antiphons for Lauds of Martyrs at Eastertide," "Kyrie IX" and "Gloria IX." This recording reflects their unmatched authenticity which characterizes the exquisitely gracious and moving performances of Gregorian chant. In the late 19th century, Pope Leo XIII charged the Abbey of Solesmes with the restoration and preservation of Gregorian Chant according to the original 10th-11th century manuscripts. The care and zeal with which the monks undertook this mission quickly extended the Abbeys influence beyond Europe. Their goal: that Gregorian Chant be available to all people so they may pray with the help of beauty (Pop St. Pius X). Today, the Abbey continues to be a vibrant source of research and liturgical prayer with their library of over 200,000 volumes, and a musical palaeography workshop second only to the Vatican. But above all, Solesmes is a living community of Benedictine monks searching for God and sharing their spirituality, community life, and heritage. Track 1-Introit Jubilate Track 2-Antiphons from Lauds of the Martyrs at Eastertide Track 3-Kyrie IX Track 4-Gloria IX Track 5-Offertory Recordare Track 6-Responsory Sancta Track 7-Hymn Sanctorum Meritis Track 8-Communion Pascha Nostrum Track 9-Hymn Salve Festa Dies Track 10-Introit Salus Autem Track 11-Responsory Subvenite Track 12-Sequence Laetabundus Track 13-Gradual Concupivit Track 14-Communion Semel Juravi Track 15-Sequence Ave Maria Track 16-Communion Laetabitur Justus Track 17-Antiphon and Invitatory Psalm Regem Track 18-Gradual Viderunt Track 19-Offertory Tui Sunt Track 20-Alleluia De Profundis Track 21-Communion Cantate Track 22-Antiphon Salve Regina Track 23-Ringing of the Angelus

About the Author :
Since the re-founding of the Abbey of St. Peter of Solesmes in 1833 under Dom Prosper Gueranger, this Benedictine monastery on the River Sarthe in western France has set the world standard both for the performance of Gregorian chant and the authenticity of the music itself. Commissioned by Pope Pius X to research the role of chant in liturgy and to edit books on chant that reflect this research, Solesmes enjoys an enviable reputation. Its work in liturgical reform and in the current revival of Gregorian chant has been likened to that of the great abbey of Cluny in the Middle Ages. These recordings incorporate new understandings of ancient manuscripts and represent a distillation of nearly 200 years of scholarship in the chant: musical paleography, semiology, and modality. The groundbreaking work by the monks of Solesmes has contributed to today's resurgence of interest in Gregorian chant as the foundation of Western music.

Review :
"Solesmes sets the standard for Gregorian chant performance." --American Record Guide "The most famous and 'authentic' recordings of Gregorian chant for generations have been those made by the Solesmes monks." --The Boston Globe "The music is exceptionally inviting, engaging listeners' ears with beauty and elevating their thoughts no matter what their spiritual or religious beliefs and doctrines may be." --TransCentury Communications "The music is utterly magnificent and the singing of this great choir is thrilling beyond words...it's better to starve to this music than to live without it." --Classic CD "The success of Gregorian chant in the past century, and the centered richness of prayer it brings to all of us, is almost singularly due to the herculean efforts of the Benedictine Monks of Solesmes, France." --New Liturgical Movement "There's something incredibly fresh and new... which is well worth your attention." --New Liturgical Movement