Album DescriptionOne cannot speak of Gregorian Chant in the modern era without noting the pioneering work of the monks of the Abbey of Solesmes in France. In scholarship, and in preserving the chant in their monastic life, Solesmes has led the world. Many of the recordings made of the chant as the monks live it are widely available. While Solesmes has adapted the chant to the Novus Ordo Missal of Paul VI, one of its daughter houses, the French Abbey of Notre-Dame of Fontgombault, has retained the traditional Missal and thereby maintained the chant in its liturgical entirety. Fontgombault, together with many other traditional French Abbeys, has proved a success story. The monastic life is conducted strictly, vocations are plentiful, and guests leave the monastery uplifted by its spiritual and liturgical atmosphere. One priest visitor commented: "It's like going to heaven." Yet Fontgombault's recordings of the chant, technically superior by far to their brethren's at Silos, remain relatively unknown. This recording of Mass and Vespers was recorded to celebrate the ninth centenary of their Abbey Church.