Search - Gregorian Chant, Clervaux Benedictine Monks of the Abbey of St. Maurice & St. Maur :: Salve Regina: Gregorian Chant

Cloistered Contemplation

Timothy D. Thomas | Chicago, IL | 09/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are looking for a spare, bare bones, Gregorian chant recording as it is sung day to day in many monasteries still (even in these post-Vatican II days) this is a safe bet. The monks sing in the eight unadorned modes of gregorian canticles, accompanied only by an organ tone to begin.
For purists, this disc is a joy, and a boon to anyone searching for music to truly relax or consider life's mysteries by. Recordings such as these are hard to find, and even more so inexpensivley with such quality. Buy with confidence."

A Genuine Monastic Experience

Laus tibi, Christe | 09/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gregorian Chant is not 'sung' but rather prayed. The spirit of Gregorian Chant has been captured and presented here by the Benedictine Monks of the Abbey of St. Maurice & St. Maur in Clervaux.



These good men are true fathers of the chant yet are childlike in their prayers to the Heavenly Father. The monastic life of prayer and submission to the Divine is fully captured in every detail. The brief and simple organ intonement followed by the distant noise of a monk's bench seat before prayers like the Lauda Sion speak volumes of the simple day to day life of Benedictine Monasticism. The bells before and during the Te Deum (To God we Give Thanks) are reminiscent of a child trying with everything he can to get the Father's attention . . . to give a simple thank you.



The entire album plunges one into the silence of the soul: prayer, where the key to the heart of God is unlocked. Throughout the CD the sounds of the monk's movements are captured. Unlike other expensive sacred works, this CD captures the surrounding 'noise' and manages to remind the listener of the embodiment of prayer - the soul animating the body in intimate communication with God.



No Gregorian Chant CD that I own can bring the body and soul together like this one."

Salve Regina

francis_xavier_borgia | St. Paul, MN United States | 05/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have a collection of around 25 chant cds and this is by far my favorite of all - the rendition of "Victimae Paschali Laudes" is so natural and this version of "Salve Regina" is the one I always play before retiring at the end of the day - remembering how, in the SEVEN STOREY MOUNTAIN, Thomas Merton described the monks a Gethsemani Abbey doing the same thing each evening... This is also the only cd I bought separate copies for home, car and work.
Great for reading and meditation as well."