That music exists is both a cause for praise and the vehicle for it. It is the one thing we know that can sublimely convey a palpable sense of something greater than ourselves. This ecstatic state comes through the music of Bach and Beethoven, but they are predated centuries by Gregorian chants that date back to the 7^th and 8^th centuries. The ethereal quality of chants traditionally sung in church settings with only human vocals have an impact that continues to this day, as can be heard in the new-age music of Enigma, the German band that often blends Gregorian chants with electronic music.

If one digs into the history of chants, the name Hildegard von Bingen will inevitably pop up. Hildegard is a 12^th century polymath. Hildegard was a Benedictine abbess, a visionary, a writer, philosopher, and composer who left the world with more surviving chants than any other composer. She wrote mainly sacred monophony (i.e. songs with one voice) that is stunning for her time and ours, with sinuous melodies that echo like the voice of angels. Listening to her “Ave Generosa” (“Hail thee, noble one”) as I often do while driving on a country road, I invariably feel more at ease and at peace with the world. I begin to notice the shapes and colors of the leaves and gentle fleecy clouds plying on the azure sky. Chants have this effect on most listeners, for this is music at its purest, purged of instrumentation, yet made more beautiful by it. It is music that merges with prayer, an outpouring of the soul in praise of all things: life and love, beauty and the grace of God. In the ensuing centuries, chants (both monophonic and polyphonic) became the predominant liturgical music of the church and as mentioned earlier, transcended their original purpose to inspire modern secular music.

Below are three early chants that I like. They include one by Hildegard, an ancient Armenian chant, and a Latin hymn linked to the Byzantine emperor, Justin II, which I hope gives you an idea of the beauty of these unique choral works.

Listen

Hildegard von Bingen, “Caritas Abundat” (“Love Abounds in All Things”), St. Stanislav Girls’ Choir (soloist: Julija Skobe)

The next piece (“Der Voghormia”) is an Armenian chant sung during the period of communion. It’s peaceful, flowing melody has the following lyrics: Lord have mercy. All Holy Trinity, give peace to the world, healing to the sick and grant Heaven to those who are asleep. This piece is performed by Harpa Dei, a German-based group that performs monophonic and polyphonic choral music.

The final work is “Vexilla Regis Prodeunt”, considered as one of the greatest hymns ever written.  Ttranslated in English as “Let the royal banner go forth”, this is a Latin hymn written by the 6^th century Christian poet, Venantius Fortunatus in honor of a cross sent by the Byzantine emperor, Justin II to Poitiers in central-eastern France on the request of St. Radegunda who founded the Abby of the Holy Cross at Poitiers. The hymn thus has strong connection with the cross and is fittingly sung at evening service from Passion Sunday to Holy Thursday. The hymn was revised in the 10^th century and translated into English in the 19^th century by the English Anglican priest, John Mason Neale. This piece is sung by Harpa Dei.