Reviewed by Brian Lincoln

In my tender youth I was a choirboy in a rather high Anglican church in a little Yorkshire mining village, so I'm no stranger to the chant. But that was all a very long time ago, and musical tastes and interests change over the years, so I must admit to now knowing very little about the subject. Having said that, the music on this excellently produced CD makes very good listening. To quote from the very comprehensive sleeve notes (in three languages, Latin, English and Gaelic); "Gregorian chant is an integral part of the Benedictine monastic experience, forming the core of the Church's daily offices as they are chanted in choir; from morning (Matins and Lauds) through mid-day Mass to evening (Vespers and Compline). With passionate intensity and yet sober restraint, it channels religious emotion and gives it musical expression", and "Each year the Benedictine Community at Glenstall Abbey celebrates the Pascal Liturgy, the triumphant Deatn and Resurrection of Christ in ceremony, symbolism and song. The music on this compact disc is a collection of chants from this season of the Church's year. From the penitential pleading of Attende Domine to the explosion of exultant joy in Regina Caeli, the listener is invited to follow the passage of the Lord from Darkness to Light". The chant covers Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Eastertide, and include several organ improvisations over 29 tracks. This album I am sure, will be a pleasure and delight to those who know and understand the genre, as indeed it was to me.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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