Search - Monks of Maria Laach Abbey, Society of the Divine Word of Steyl, Dortmund Municipal Conservatory Choir :: Gregorian Chant: Early Recordings

Are there recorded performances of such historic or musicological value that we should forgive their very poor sound? The answer probably is yes, but it's up to each listener to determine his or her own tolerance for scratches, hiss, and distortion as part of a listening experience. This two-disc Gregorian chant compilation, taken from historic recordings made between 1928 and 1936, will challenge most listeners accustomed to today's well-engineered recordings. High levels of hiss and varying degrees of scratches and distortion go with the territory here. Considerable effort was made to improve the sonic environment, but obviously the source material, transferred from long-forgotten 78s, was in pretty rough shape. These are discs for only the most avid chant recording completists and for musicologists looking for traces of chant singing style that reach far back into the 19th century--the collection's most worthy asset. Most of the choirs represented--primarily from European monasteries, schools, and cathedrals--have centuries-old chant traditions, including Salzburg's famous Nonnberg Abbey. The 75 tracks feature chant performances that range from the Solesmes style to accompanied variants from Beuron and Montserrat. In addition to the value of hearing various singing styles, we also hear many chants not available on other recordings. The liner notes are informative and extensive, with complete texts and translations. --David Vernier