Search - Ensemble Organum :: Chants de l'Eglise de Rome - Periode byzantine (Chants of the Roman Church, from the Byzantine Period) /Ensemble Organum * Peres

An eye-opening performance

Gabe Monforte | 04/03/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The music on this CD is not what most people consider "Gregorian Chant". The music presented here is taken from the "Old Roman" chant repertory (ca. 7th-8th Centuries) which pre-dates what is most referred to as Gregorian Chant. The Gregorian Chant which most people are familiar with actually comes from the Carolingian Empire (ca. 850-1000), which came into existence later than the Old Roman period. Hence, the reportoire from the Old Roman period is unsingable if sung in the style suggested by Gregorian scholars for Carolingian chants.However, since the Roman church had been heavily influenced by the Byzantine Empire during this period, it was logical to turn to Byzantine chants for guidance and performance hints. Thus, there are similarities between the Old Roman chant and Byzantine chant such as modal, cadential, and ornamental formulas. Also used in the performance here is an "Ison", a note sustained in the bass to support the chant melody and to underscore modal transformations. With all these stylistic choices in mind, the result is eye-opening. The listener will be transported to a totally unfamiliar, but other-worldly realm.Many of these differences in the performance execution will seem foreign to many people who are familiar with "Gregorian Chant", but this CD is well worth your attention. You will not be disappointed."