LONDON (Billboard) – It’s a pretty safe
bet that very few musical groups count Pope Benedict XVI among their
fans.
But the pontiff is a definite admirer of the latest boys in the hood(s)
to sign globally to Universal Classics U.K. It’s a choir of Austrian
monks from Stift Heiligenkreuz — the Abbey of the Holy Cross — a
monastery in the heart of the Vienna woods.
Benedict XVI declared himself impressed by the brothers’ vocal talents
when visiting the monastery last September. Their new status, however,
owes little to papal favor or even divine intervention; rather, it came
via a lengthy search by Universal through ads in British religious
publications for a choir performing Gregorian chants.
After the pope’s visit, the monastery posted a videoclip featuring the
monks’ 15-strong choir (and a performance of Deep Purple’s “Smoke on
the Water”) on YouTube. It quickly began attracting buzz online and has
generated more than 82,000 views.
One monk says they were subsequently encouraged to submit the clip to
Universal by “a friend from the media business in London.”
Despite competition from some 100 choirs, Heiligenkreuz’s monks were
the clear winner, London-based Universal Classics executive Tom Lewis
says. “They are, quite simply, the best Gregorian singers we have
heard. They make a magical, evocative sound, which is both immediately
calming and deeply moving.”.
Well the Pope does like boy bands – just
as long as they come from Vienna.
Now I really wish I could find the video
of the monks singing Deep Purples “Smoke on the Water.” Maybe they just
made that up. But there are videos of their chanting that have
attracted a large number views. This one
has attracted close to 87,000 and is quite beautiful.
I found some of the comments at YouTube to
be quite interesting especially this one.
First,, I’m atheist…. Second,, I cant
understand nothing of this Gregorian Chant,, but sounds amazing,,, no
matter what is the inspiration for this. Just enjoy it.
4 comments
I remember years ago, telling my father how there is just something about Gregorian chants that attracted me. He replied dryly, “You should. You were brought up with them, you know.”
BTW, he’s thrilled I’m coming home. 🙂
I tried to do a search for “Smoke On the Water.” Looks like it was removed from YouTube.
Meanwhile, here’s a link to another nice one.
Nothing Else Matters
Doggone it, I was headed to bed and now I want to listen to all the chants I can find.
I wonder why they took it down? I’d love to hear it. I, too, am a “late” lover of chant, and I’m going to see if the pope’s group has a recording I can buy.
Thanks for the information!
Do you have time for a meme? If so go here http://catholicfire.blogspot.com/2008/04/tagged-for-another-meme.html to check it out.
Yes Gregorian Chant has the ability to reach anyone, even an atheist. I just finished my dissertation on the role of music in liturgy and when I was researching Gregorian Chant came across Professor Mahrt – a pioneer for Gregorian Chant. He says that it is in danger of dying out, but there is a lot of secular interest in it and that Catholics should realize it ‘belongs to us’ and should use it more to reach people. Great to see this post about it!! Thanks.
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