Description
This recording from the sopranos and altos of Buckfast Abbey Choir captures the unique sound world of upper voices for the Mass. Drawing on repertoire from a short, yet vibrant, period in early twentieth-century France, the program showcases Masses by Gabriel Fauré, Jehan Alain, and Jean Langlais, three significant figures in the evolving tradition of French church music. These works are interspersed with Gregorian chants in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, patron of the Abbey Church at Buckfast, in whose radiant acoustic this album was recorded. Fauré's Messe basse, with it's intimate lyricism, is paired with a contemporary Gloria by David Davies. Alain's Messe modale en septuor reveals his rhythmic vitality and chant-inspired style, while Langlais' Missa in simplicitate embodies an effortless spiritual purity. Rooted in the Benedictine tradition - restored at Buckfast by French monks in 1882 - and French inspiration, this album offers music of beauty, simplicity, and prayerful intensity.
Tracklist:
- Anonymous: Introitus: Gaudeamus
- Faure: Messe Basse: I. Kyrie
- Faure: Messe Basse: Gloria (By David Davies)
- Faure: Messe Basse: II. Sanctus
- Faure: Messe Basse: III. Benedictus
- Faure: Messe Basse: O Salutaris Hostia (By Andre Messager)
- Faure: Messe Basse: IV. Agnus Dei
- Anonymous: Alleluia: Ave Maria
- Alain: Messe Modale en Septuor, Ja 136, Awv 110 I. Kyrie
- Alain: Messe Modale en Septuor, Ja 136, Awv 110 II. Gloria
- Alain: Messe Modale en Septuor, Ja 136, Awv 110 III. Sanctus
- Alain: Messe Modale en Septuor, Ja 136, Awv 110 IV. Agnus Dei
- Alain: Choral Cistercien Pour Une Elevation, Ja 134, Awv 62
- Alain: O Quam Suavis Est, Ja 35, Awv 39
- Langlais: Trois Prieres, Op65 I. Ave Verum
- Langlais: Trois Prieres, Op65 II. Ave Maris Stella
- Langlais: Trois Prieres, Op65 III. Tantum Ergo
- Anonymous: Communio: Beata Viscera
- Langlais: Missa in Simplicitate I. Kyrie
- Langlais: Missa in Simplicitate II. Gloria
- Langlais: Missa in Simplicitate III. Credo
- Langlais: Missa in Simplicitate IV. Sanctus
- Langlais: Missa in Simplicitate V. Agnus Dei
- Roth: Ain Karim, Fantaisie Pour Flute Et Orgue
UPC: 5061115741825
Label: Ad Fontes
Release Date: 8.14.26
Format: CD
