Sanctae Laetitiae
The high desert country of northern New Mexico is rich in natural diversity although the human population is modest. In the exquisite Rio Chama Canyon far from the nearest town lies the Monastery of Christ in the Desert. Here a community of monks, follows the Benedictine way of life by engaging in prayer, study and manual labor in quiet atmosphere of brotherly love. Each day the wilderness wind carries the sound of tolling bells and the singing of Gregorian and Byzantine chants which hearken to medieval antiquity and reflect the heart of contemporary Christian brotherhood.Gregorian chant, or plainsong, consists of about 3,000 melodies and comprised the very heart of the musical repertoire of the Roman Catholic Church. It is performed in any of 8 basic modes, 7 of which are given names identical to those used in ancient Grecian musical theory. Some chants belong to specific periods in the liturgical calendar which include Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter, while others are ever appropriate in ordinary time. The chants performed here are representative of the liturgical cycle experienced in the Monastery of Christ in the Desert.
The monks of Christ in the Desert were invited to participate in the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival on August 13, 2005, which was recorded by Matthew Snyder Recording Service of Burbank, CA and by permission the compact disc has been produced and released. The concert and the compact disc are dedicated to Louisa Stude Sarofim. The beautiful cover art was drawn by Bill Cowles.
CD by the monks of the Monastery of Christ in the Desert
Recorded in 2005
1. Ave Maris Stella
2. Kyrie
3. Sanctus
4. Agnus Dei
5. Gloria
6. Ut Queant Laxis
7. Parce Domine
8. Attende Domine
9. Lamentation of Jeremiah
10. Christ is Risen
11. Haec Dies
12. Alleluia
13. Come Holy Spirit
14. Salve Mater
15. Stans in Oratorio
16. Media Vita
17. Ubi Caritas