Period

:

Medieval

 

 

Baroque

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Keyboard

 

The Choeur Grégorien de Paris, also known as the Paris Gregorian Choir, is a renowned classical music ensemble that specializes in Gregorian chant. The choir was founded in 1975 by its current director, Jean-Pierre Lécot, and has since become one of the most respected and sought-after Gregorian chant ensembles in the world. Jean-Pierre Lécot, a French organist and musicologist, founded the choir with the aim of reviving the ancient tradition of Gregorian chant, which had fallen out of use in the Catholic Church after the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. Lécot was inspired by the work of the Solesmes Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in France that had been at the forefront of Gregorian chant research and performance since the 19th century. The Paris Gregorian Choir consists of around 20 singers, all of whom are trained in the Solesmes method of Gregorian chant. The choir's repertoire includes both traditional Gregorian chant and newly composed works in the same style. The choir's performances are characterized by their purity of tone, clarity of diction, and attention to detail. Over the years, the Paris Gregorian Choir has performed in some of the world's most prestigious concert halls and churches, including the Sistine Chapel in Rome, the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, and the Royal Albert Hall in London. The choir has also collaborated with many renowned musicians and conductors, including John Eliot Gardiner, Philippe Herreweghe, and Jordi Savall. One of the choir's most notable performances was its participation in the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005. The choir was invited to sing at the funeral Mass in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, where they performed a selection of traditional Gregorian chants. The choir's performance was widely praised for its solemnity and beauty, and it helped to raise the profile of Gregorian chant in the wider world. The Paris Gregorian Choir has also won numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 1990, the choir was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque for its recording of the complete Gregorian chant repertoire for the liturgical year. The choir has also been awarded the Diapason d'Or, the highest award for classical music recordings in France, for several of its recordings. In addition to its performances and recordings, the Paris Gregorian Choir is also involved in research and education. The choir regularly collaborates with musicologists and scholars to study and document the history and performance practice of Gregorian chant. The choir also offers workshops and masterclasses to students and amateur singers who are interested in learning more about this ancient musical tradition. In conclusion, the Choeur Grégorien de Paris is a world-renowned classical music ensemble that has made a significant contribution to the revival and promotion of Gregorian chant. Founded by Jean-Pierre Lécot in 1975, the choir has become known for its purity of tone, clarity of diction, and attention to detail. The choir has performed in some of the world's most prestigious concert halls and churches, collaborated with many renowned musicians and conductors, and won numerous awards and accolades. The choir's work in research and education has also helped to ensure the continued vitality of this ancient musical tradition.

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