Sublime is no exaggeration!!
Geoffrey Jones | Tasmania, Australia | 03/07/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After hearing this CD, a mate of mine gave the opinion that this sort of music should be made compulsary in Churches. While I wouldn't go that far myself, I can fully understand where he was coming from.
It's got two latin mass settings: the first is more geared towards the Tridentine, and the second more towards the Novus Ordo. It has a couple of English mass setings (but not enough in my opinion). Then it takes us through a tour of some of the best Catholic hymns in both Latin and English. His use of bells is also adds a great touch to the mood of some of the pieces.
Sadly, most people who go to Catholic churches these days have been subjected to banal hymns & mass settings all their lives. They simply don't know any better (--which is probably why most people don't bother to sing along.) This is especially sad when one considers all the good music that they could be getting to know.
So I say: Come on o ye choir masters & mistresses! It doesn't have to be that way. I've already suggested to my choir that we try some of the Missa primitiva mass parts."
Beautiful Ambrosian Chanting
William Bagley | Ashland, Oregon | 12/27/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is well within the Catholic Chanting tradition and represents a high level of the art. The CD is apparently under two covers one says "Sublime Chant" and the other says "Chants of a Lifetime" both are identical in terms of content and the CD internal notes brings up "Sublime Chant" on both of them (and both of the come from the GIA publisher on the same year 1995). This is so those who read this do not buy both of them and find out they are the same. The resonances from the Cathedral create tonal richness in the choir. If you like Gregorian chant, you will probably like this one a lot, especially the Ambrosian style which sometimes uses more than voice add embellishments to the music."