Chant: The Anniversary Edition | Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos

Chant: The Anniversary Edition | Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos | What a recording

popular music:

Chant: The Anniver...

	Chant: The Anniversary Edition Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos Angel Records, 2004 average customer review:based on 8 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

This set contains the two CDs that, it must be acknowledged, just about started the Chant craze in 1994. The music was actually recorded in the 1970s and 1980s (this new set has been remastered and sounds better than the 1994-95 releases did) and was on sale in Spain and offered at the Monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos for some time before it became "hot." Since then, hundreds of CDs of chant and similar music have appeared, many more polished then these, but perhaps these were so special because they weren't performances: they caught actual Monks in the act of praying, and the meditative quality is undeniably real. Whatever the case, this is music for reflection, calming down, re-fueling and getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life--which may be even more needed now than they were 10 years ago. Texts are not supplied and you won't need them; it's all about reverence and mood. Doing nothing but listening to this in 25-minute chunks will allow your breathing to slow and re-energize you. Each 55-minute CD will probably put you to sleep--and this isn't meant as a criticism. --Robert Levine

for more information click here

Two Sublime Discs for the Price of One

It must be said first and foremost that the sound of these two C.D.'s is outstanding. Compared to other chant recordings, this one is distinctive for its clear resonance. No wonder it started a whole trend over a decade ago when The Benedictine Monks of Santo Dominigo de Silos entered the top ten of music recordings.

For those who have the patience, the vascillating sounds of monks singing their praises to the Lord can have a sublime effect. If you give these recordings a chance, they can transform one to the serenity it is meant to elicit. They have the power of prayer through the modem of music to lift and transform one up from the harried world of work and worry.

At $10.00 the price of entry is inexpensive indeed for dissolving tension and relieving one's worries over the material world. Although previously released, they mix recordings from the original classic with worthy follow-ups. The first disc is a masterpiece, but the second disc I find to be even more placid in its delivery. Whichever you prefer, the results are celestial indeed.

for more information click here

What a recording

Mystic,eternal, and meditative is how I would
describe these chants, a most perfect gift
for Christmas. This reissue sounds even better
than the ones released in the mid 90's.
I would highly recommend this recording to anyone.
The only rule is sit down, or lay back and enjoy.

Enjoying Gregorian Chant

I founld listening to "Chant, the Anniversary Edition" most fulfiling and uplifting. I use it often for background music while praying The Liturgy of the Hours. It is also wonderful to use while during quiet prayerful times

Superb relaxation

This is a wonderful compilation. I greatly enjoy listening to it when I'm working on painting or another activity where lower blood pressure is a must. Having two albums in one makes the deal even sweeter. If you alreaddy own Chant I and II, then there's no real value added, but with mine lost in a move, it was a great return of music I enjoy.

for more information click here

Watch out...

For what it is, this CD set is decent. If you're reading this, you probably already know that this is not a set aimed at the serious medieval music fan. The liner notes printed on the folded insert contain little historical background (rather, they attempt to explain why the Chant I and II CDs were so popular when released in the mid-1990s). Also, texts for the chants are missing--a serious oversight on EMI's part. It would have cost them pennies more per set to include full texts and translations. My other gripe is with the sound. I don't have the "original" Chant I and II CDs to compare, but the sound on this Anniversary set is riddled with irritating digital artifacts--these recordings sound like poorly encoded MP3s. The artifacting is caused by the application of too much "noise reduction" to reduce tape hiss (these recordings were originally made in the 1970s and early 1980s). I don't necessarily expect these CDs of 30-year-old recordings to sound as good as present-day recordings, but I'm disappointed that the engineer(s) at EMI allowed so much digital artifacting to creep in (it is most audible on sibilances). If you plan to listen to these CDs quietly or on an inexpensive portable CD player, the digital artifacting likely will not be a problem, but if you plan to listen to this CD on a decent stereo or home theatre, it can be distracting.

Casual listeners looking for one or two CDs of medieval chant for relaxation may be well-served by this inexpensive set. It isn't "bad." The performances are sincere and pleasant. If you're looking for soothing or calming music, you can't do any better than Gregorian chant, but the sound and packaging of this set leave something to be desired. Medieval music buffs may want to pass on this one. I received my copy as a gift; I'll keep it, but I wouldn't buy it again. There are so many better chant recordings available.

for more information click here

products you might be interested in