Gregorian Chant for the Church Year CD

UPC: 0028947846710

MPN: 478 4671 DB

Brand Name: Decca Virtuoso

Overview

Immerse yourself in the timeless beauty and spiritual serenity of "Gregorian Chant for the Church Year," performed by the renowned Choralschola der Wiener Hofburgkapelle (Schola of the Hofburgkapelle, Vienna) under the direction of P. Hubert Dopf S.J. This Decca Virtuoso release offers over 67 minutes of sacred music that has enhanced liturgical worship for more than 1,400 years. Featuring chants carefully selected to represent the major seasons and feasts of the Christian liturgical calendar—Advent, Christmas, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, and the Life of Mary—this recording captures the slow, measured, and hypnotic qualities that have made Gregorian chant an enduring treasure of Western sacred music. In our modern era of relentless stress and constant stimulation, these ancient melodies provide a profound atmosphere of calm stillness and contemplative peace. Whether used for prayer, meditation, or simply as a refuge from daily pressures, this collection offers listeners an authentic connection to centuries of Christian worship tradition performed by one of the world's most prestigious church choirs.

Product Features

• Format: Audio CD, Compilation
• Total Runtime: 67 minutes 15 seconds
• Label: Decca Virtuoso Series
• Performing Ensemble: Choralschola der Wiener Hofburgkapelle (Schola of the Hofburgkapelle, Vienna)
• Director: P. Hubert Dopf S.J.
• Release Year: 2012
• Country of Origin: Made in the EU
• Genre: Classical, Sacred Music, Early Music
• Style: Gregorian Chant, Liturgical Music, Medieval Sacred Music
• Recording Quality: Seriously good recordings from Decca
• Special Features: Quick read booklet notes explaining the liturgical context
• Liturgical Structure: Six sections representing major feasts of the Church Year
• Language: Latin (traditional liturgical language)
• Series: Decca Virtuoso - "An ideal way to build a collection and discover more"

Interesting Facts

Gregorian chant represents one of the oldest surviving forms of Western music, with roots extending back to the early Christian church of the first millennium. Named after Pope Gregory I (Gregory the Great, 540-604 AD), who is traditionally credited with organizing and codifying these sacred melodies, Gregorian chant became the standard music of the Roman Catholic Church throughout medieval Europe. These monophonic, unaccompanied sacred songs feature free-flowing rhythms that follow the natural inflections of Latin text, creating a meditative quality that transcends temporal concerns.

The Choralschola der Wiener Hofburgkapelle (Imperial Chapel of Vienna's Hofburg Palace) maintains one of Europe's most distinguished traditions of sacred music performance. The Hofburgkapelle itself has been a center of Catholic worship and musical excellence since the 13th century, serving as the private chapel of the Habsburg dynasty. The choir continues to perform at Sunday Masses in the historic chapel, maintaining centuries-old liturgical traditions with exceptional musical standards.

Father Hubert Dopf S.J. (Society of Jesus/Jesuit order) brings both theological understanding and musical expertise to these performances, ensuring authentic interpretation that honors both the spiritual and artistic dimensions of this sacred repertoire. The Jesuit tradition has long emphasized the integration of intellectual rigor, spiritual depth, and artistic excellence—qualities evident in this carefully crafted recording.

Gregorian chant experienced a remarkable revival in popular culture during the 1990s and 2000s, with recordings by monastic communities achieving unexpected commercial success. This renewed interest reflects a widespread cultural yearning for contemplative experiences and sacred beauty in an increasingly secularized and fast-paced world. Medical and psychological research has documented the calming effects of Gregorian chant, noting its ability to slow heart rate, reduce stress hormones, and promote meditative states of consciousness.

The Decca Virtuoso series, launched by Decca Records (founded 1929), offers audiophile-quality classical recordings at accessible prices, making masterworks available to both seasoned collectors and newcomers to classical music. Decca's legendary recording techniques, developed over decades, capture the acoustic beauty of sacred spaces with exceptional clarity and warmth.

This compilation organizes chants according to the liturgical calendar, reflecting the cyclical nature of Christian worship. Each section corresponds to major seasons and feasts: Advent (preparation for Christmas), Christmas (celebrating Christ's birth), Easter (resurrection), Ascension (Christ's ascension to heaven), Pentecost (descent of the Holy Spirit), and Marian feasts (honoring the Virgin Mary). This structure allows listeners to experience the spiritual journey of the church year through its musical heritage.

Track Listing by Liturgical Season:

Advent (Tracks 1-5) – 12:36
Christmas (Tracks 6-10) – 11:55
Easter (Tracks 11-18) – 15:38
Ascension (Tracks 19-22) – 9:58
Pentecost (Tracks 23-26) – 9:54
The Life of Mary (Tracks 27-30) – 7:14

Publishers

Label: Decca Virtuoso (Decca Music Group Limited)
Copyright: © 2012 Decca Music Group Limited
Compilation Copyright: This compilation 2012 Decca Music Group Limited
Location: London, England
Parent Company: Universal Music Company
Distributed by: Universal Music Group
Manufacturing: Made in the European Union
Hungarian Distribution: Universal Music Kft., 1146 Budapest, Hermina út 17, Tel: 801-8300
Performing Ensemble: Choralschola der Wiener Hofburgkapelle, Vienna
Director: P. Hubert Dopf S.J. (Society of Jesus)
Official Website: www.deccaclassics.com
Series: Decca Virtuoso – Premium classical recordings from Decca and Deutsche Grammophon

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