Gregorian Melodies: Popular Chants Vol.1 (taken from the Liber Cantualis)

Taken from the 10th to the 17th centuries, the Gregorian chants range from Tantum ergo and Adoro te, to hymns from the service of Compline. Sung with grace and style, the chants on this disc are ideal for those who are familiar with the chant liturgy, as a collection of familiar melodies, as well as for those wanting to become familiar with 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 Abbey’s influence beyond Europe. Their goal: that Gregorian Chant be available to all people so they may “pray with the help of beauty” (Pope 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.

“The program offers alternate settings on each disc of the sprinkling of water, the Ordinary of the Mass, Benediction hymns, and the most familiar pieces marking the liturgical year... exactly what is needed for those who long to hear the familiar chants again.” – Fanfare

“Setting the standard for Gregorian performance.” – American Record Guide