Genre

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Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Schola Gregoriana Pragensis is a renowned classical music ensemble that specializes in performing Gregorian chant and other medieval music. The ensemble was founded in 1987 by David Eben, a Czech musician and musicologist who was inspired by the rich tradition of Gregorian chant in his country. Eben had studied musicology at Charles University in Prague and had also trained as a singer and conductor. He was fascinated by the history and spirituality of Gregorian chant, which had been an integral part of the liturgy of the Catholic Church for centuries. He wanted to revive this ancient music and bring it to a wider audience, both in the Czech Republic and around the world. To achieve this goal, Eben assembled a group of talented singers and musicians who shared his passion for Gregorian chant. The ensemble was named Schola Gregoriana Pragensis, which means "Gregorian School of Prague" in Latin. The name reflected the group's mission to promote the study and performance of Gregorian chant as a living tradition. The founding members of Schola Gregoriana Pragensis included six singers and two instrumentalists. They were all trained in classical music and had experience performing in choirs and orchestras. However, they had to learn a new style of singing and playing for Gregorian chant, which requires a different approach to rhythm, melody, and expression. Under Eben's leadership, the ensemble began to rehearse and perform regularly, both in Prague and other cities in Europe. They also recorded their first album, "Gregorian Chant from Bohemia," which featured chants from the Czech Republic and other parts of Europe. The album was well-received by critics and audiences, and it helped to establish Schola Gregoriana Pragensis as a leading exponent of Gregorian chant. Over the years, Schola Gregoriana Pragensis has expanded its repertoire to include other forms of medieval music, such as polyphony, organum, and troubadour songs. They have also collaborated with other musicians and ensembles, such as the Prague Symphony Orchestra and the Huelgas Ensemble from Belgium. One of the highlights of Schola Gregoriana Pragensis's career was their performance at the Vatican in 1999. They were invited to sing at a special Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II, who was a great admirer of Gregorian chant. The ensemble performed several chants from their repertoire, including the famous "Dies Irae" sequence from the Requiem Mass. Another notable performance by Schola Gregoriana Pragensis was their concert at the Festival of Early Music in Utrecht, the Netherlands, in 2006. They performed a program of medieval music from Bohemia, which included chants, songs, and instrumental pieces. The concert was praised for its authenticity, beauty, and spiritual power. Schola Gregoriana Pragensis has also received several awards and honors for their contributions to classical music. In 1995, they won the Grand Prix du Disque from the Académie Charles Cros in France for their album "Gregorian Chant from Bohemia." In 2002, they were awarded the Medal of Merit by the Czech Ministry of Culture for their promotion of Czech music and culture. Today, Schola Gregoriana Pragensis continues to perform and record medieval music, and they have become one of the most respected and beloved ensembles in the world of classical music.

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