Reviewed by Dave Massey

Developed over the last 2,000 years and unchanged now for at least 400 years is this monastic service in remembrance of the last supper. It begins by glorifying Christ's cross with passages from Galatians, "Nos Autem" and Exodus linking this celebration with the Jewish Passover, and makes extensive use of the 4th mode with its' wide expansive feel. The modes are all about feeling — from the dark and thoughtful minor modes to the brighter Ionian, lydian and mixolydion modes, and if (like me) you find it difficult to under­stand this kind of plainsong chanting, it is often helpful to look at the words being sung and see how the music emphasises the feeling of what is written. Here the singing is well balanced and executed — but to modern ears it is definitely a disc to dip into rather than sit through all at one go.

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