ForumGarden

It's a beautiful form of music - peaceful, meditative, almost new age in effect - and it's a great antidote to the hustle and bustle of contemporary living. Many people like it because it gives a glimpse into something beyond this world. These are the qualities which make it so popular.



I never cease to be amazed at the popularity of Gregorian Chant – it seems to be particularly suited to the present age when people seek the spiritual, and desire contact with a world beyond their own

Yes, I do like it actually yes, and you are right, its a great antidote for some of the horseshite that's claimed to be musical entertainment nowadays. Perhaps its that end-of-an-era feeling, but people do seem to need some solace from the problems of modern life, and they ain't gonna get it from Dr Dre.

That said, if you want to listen to music, that is simplicity itself, intrinsically beautiful, and contemplative in nature, I really can't recommend Bach (the master) enough. :-6

jones jones;873902 wrote: It's a beautiful form of music - peaceful, meditative, almost new age in effect - and it's a great antidote to the hustle and bustle of contemporary living. Many people like it because it gives a glimpse into something beyond this world. These are the qualities which make it so popular.



I never cease to be amazed at the popularity of Gregorian Chant – it seems to be particularly suited to the present age when people seek the spiritual, and desire contact with a world beyond their own


I like it.....so tranquil....'quietens' the spirit ! :-6

Galbally;873907 wrote: That said, if you want to listen to music, that is simplicity itself, intrinsically beautiful, and contemplative in nature, I really can't recommend Bach (the master) enough. :-6


When I played the piano many years ago, Bach was my favourite .

Yes!!!

Yes very much !!!

Early Sunday mornings when the world is quiet the sounds of the chants drifting through the house give me peace of mind and heart.

No. I find most church music irritating, especially organ music.

I was introduced to Gregorian Chants years ago by my father. He had bought a record of chants and played it for us at home. Spiritual.....and male.

I listen to them sometimes when I do calligraphy... kinda gets you in the mood

If I'm grinding ink sticks, I need music to grind by....:wah:



===============================

join me at the Friendship Inn http://gardentalk.proboards91.com/index.cgi

Spiritual and male? The chant was used by nuns as well as monks. I understand it was intended to be sung in such a way that the voices were disembodied, sexless, passionless - as it was believed angels would have sung.

I think you'd have to be there, JAB. Different ways of experiencing Divine Reality. Some leap up and shout or talk in tongues. Others are prostrate in profound silence. Chanting the office, in the old monastic ways (I've done it), sort of went with the second. Not joyless at all, but measured and they thought, holier. Personally, I don't think it's holier, just different.

If you ever visit the Isle of Wight then you must visit Quarr Abbey for the Sunday morning service.

Quarr Abbey is a monastery and a home to Benedictine monks.





The monks stand here in the Quire for prayersong, whilst visitors sit on chairs in the Nave, shown in the foreground, and listen in peaceful bliss. Gregorian Chant, sung by the monks, is far more beautiful echoing against the ancient abbey walls, than can be captured by any recording.