Gregorian Chant

All chant discs are not alike, and this is one of the best all-around recordings, both for its program and performances. The music covers several centuries and geographic regions and, consequently, includes examples of different monastic traditions and compositional styles. This very fine male-voice choir not only sings the notes beautifully and uniformly, but also conveys the individual character and textual meaning of each chant in a natural, unlabored style. Among these 18 introits, hymns, antiphons, and responsories are some of the gems of chant repertoire, including "Veni sancte Spiritus," and "Salve festa dies." --David Vernier