TAIZE AND GREGORIAN CHANT From the Monks of the Abbey of Solesmes And the Community of Taize

Gregorina Chant form The Monks of Solesmes

The purest, most authentic recordings of Gregorian chant ever made come from the Monastic Choir of St. Peter's Abbey, Solesmes, France. Since 1833, this Benedictine monastery on the River Sarthe has established the world standard for performance of Gregorian Chant. Winners of Grand Prix du Disque, Deutsche Schallplatten Prize, Diapason D'Or, Edison Pries, and other awards. Each collection listed has been recorded under the direction of Dom Jean Claire, choirmaster of Solesmes since 1972.

TAIZE

Taize is situated in the Burgundy district of France. A small village not too far from the ancient monastery of Cluny, Taize is now a center of ecumenical prayer and reconciliation. To the pilgrim, Taize looks like any other village in the wine growing area of France, yet thousands of young people come here every year. The community of about eighty brothers was founded by the Prior, Brother Roger, in the 1940's to be a place of reconciliation following the devastation of the Second World War.

Standing in the center of Taize today is the Church of Reconciliation, and three times a day the community, along with thousands of young people from many nations join in common prayer. Through this a particular style of singing has evolved under the direction of Brother Robert and composed by a Jacques Berthier.