Indeed dear man!! So we are on the same page - so to speak

I would also encourage the choir into a study of the Latin language. This would help to unlock some of the musical genius of the chants; text and music being so inextricably involved with each other!

These chants were sung by ordinary human beings who, through intense faith and the power of Love, allowed thier souls to soar unto the Divine Majesty. The modes do well to facilitate this 'freedom' of expression - with thier 'bending' of intervals and difference of temperament. In our modern world of scales- this is in D major or that in bminor - one gets to bogged down (to fixated) to this limited sound world. It is a world of definite intervals and temperament; all of which just limits the expressivity of the soul. I am so happy to hear so many people revisiting this our ancient tradition as Church. But pour you soul into it; allow your prayer to flow from the depths of your experience of Love. Soldier on folks!! Keep it up, don't you dear give up...!

Dear ACLumsden,

Many in this video, I believe, are perhaps less than five years into singing the chant, and then on a part-time basis. So your encouragement is most valued, especially as a veteran of the art!

The first years are so very critical in building up the belief that one can actually sing these more complex propers; but, also as critical, once that belief is secure, to use the acquired textbook technique as a point of departure to a more perhaps 'passionate' rendition (both in solo and ensemble chanting). To sing with understanding, and allow the texts to be illuminated by the melody instead of shrouded by it, is key IMO. I hope this makes sense.

I share your weariness of the philosophy you describe, by the way, which often unintentionally shrouds the text by an overly dogmatic performance methodology.

Indeed dear 'Aristotleasguerra'. However, I am quite weary of the philosophy of performance of Latin Chant which goes rather like this: This is old music, therefore, no one knows HOW it was performed. The art of singing did not exist then (pre-Xc) and so our ideas of 'phrase', 'line' and 'motif' canot play a part in an 'authentic' offering of these laudable chants. This philosophy of performace of the Latin Chant ALWAYS (in my experience - 15years) renders the worship quite sterile. It is this that I am addressing here; I do understand the pedagogical process. Since, this is not the case for this choir (as you have assured me) I would urge and encourage them to continue towards the goal!

Dear ACLumsden,

In defense of the ensemble interpretation, what you hear is a large ensemble of women who had less than a week singing together, most under a new conductor, and some, perhaps, that were new to the experience (and thus perhaps overly careful or "in the notes," so to speak). So before dismissing the rendition entirely, please be aware that these factors played a part.

Can one name an average pianist who can pull of, say, Chopin's Fantaisie Impromptu flawlessly and with all its emotive tumult, with less than a week's notice?

As a singer of chant for only six years, I appreciate and understand your critique. However, I believe you will understand that it takes a long time to get to fluency; your (and others') indulgence is appreciated.

Thanks for visiting and reading.

Gosh... this interpretation is definitely NOT a result of the Solesmes method (old or new!). The quelismas are done like the Mozarabic and Ambrosian styles, i.e. like quick mordents. The rhythm and phrasing is also rather dry and unemotional. Why is it that whenever we consider Latin Chant, we think so little of its composers as to consign them to emotionless entities of the past? After all, they were human beings with neurological capability for emotion just like us (even more, since they weren't as fettered as we are by 'societal stoic do's and dont's). Those splendid phrases and beautiful melismas can't just be sung mechanically (like in this recording) without the human soul soaring upwards upon them - and this being audiable in the interpretation!