Description

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Introit, Kyrie, Gradual, Tract, Offertory, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, Communion, and Alleluias from Mass for the Dead; and Invitatory, Responses, and Antiphons from the Office for the Deceased.This recording reflects the unmatched authenticity of Gregorian chant by the Monks of Solesmes.

Requiem Mass
     Track 1-Introit     Requiem
     Track 2-Kyrie
     Track 3-Gradual     Requiem
     Track 4-Tract     Absolve
     Track 5-Offertory     Domine Jesu
     Track 6-Sanctus
     Track 7-Agnus Dei
     Track 8-Communion     Lux Aeterna
     Track 9-Alleluia     De Profundis
     Track 10-Alleluia     In Exitu
     
Office For the Dead
     Track 11-Invitatory     Regem cui Omnia
     Track 12-Responsory     Credo
     Track 13-Responsory     Memento
     Track 14-Responsory     Ne Recorderis
     Track 15-Responsory     Libera…de Viis
     Track 16-Responsory     Subvenite
     Track 17-Antiphon     In Paradisum
     Track 18-Antiphon     Chorus
     Track 19-Antiphon     Ego Sum
     Track 20-Antiphpon     Habitabit
     Track 21-Bells:Tolling of the Knell
 

About the Author

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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.

Praise For…

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“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 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

“Supremely ethereal.”  —USA Today

“Solesmes sets the standard for Gregorian chant performance.”  —American Record Guide

"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." 

"Communicates a mood of mystery, timelessness, peace, beauty, and contemplation." 

"The Monks of Solesmes ... use the most authentic manuscripts and ancient documents to recover the original melodies." 

"The monks' chanting is living, strong, unvarnished." 

"The chant is organic and text-based ... the singing is full and well-supported." 

"The recordings present entire liturgies, mostly sung live (creating) ... a sense of unbroken, focused prayer." 

"There's something incredible fresh and new ... which is well worth your attention." 

—New Liturgical Movement 
 

" ... Beauty and immense spiritual power when sung by the Monastic Choir of St. Peter's Abbey, Solesmes, France" 

"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." 

"The beauties of Gregorian chant...encourage inward looking, contemplation, thoughtfulness, a kind of separation from mundane affairs ... Gregorian chant resonates." 

"The sensitive, careful, beautifully measured performances here can be used as an entry point to an earlier time." 

—TransCentury Communications