Gregorian - Pure Chants (2021)

Gregorian - Pure Chants (2021)

Tracklist frotn / back album covers

1. My Little Welsh Home   2:20

2. Kyrie Victoria   2:22

3. Waiting For Life   2:57

4. Pie Jesu featuring – Narcis   3:55

5. Miserere Mei, Deus   3:25

6. Ode To Joy   2:50

7. In Trutina   2:29

8. Ameno   3:56

9. She Moved Through The Fair   2:32

10. Kyrie XI, A   1:39

11. Bailero featuring – Narcis   3:07

12. Adoramus Te Christe   2:01

13. Gamenni Kardia (There Are Stars)   3:16

14. Beata Viscera   2:38

15. The Sound Of Silence (Pure Version)   3:25

16. Non Nobis Domine   2:16

Album Credits

Artwork – Markus Mross, Toni Pintos

Co-producer, Guitar, Keyboards, Programmed By, Arranged By, Engineer, Mixed By – Rene Laack

Conductor, Arranged By – Chris Forster (2)

Engineer – Basti Inselmann, Niall Acott

Mastered By – Hans-Philipp Graf

Mixed By – Basti Inselmann, Frank Peterson, Niall Acott

Producer – Frank Peterson

Programmed By – Alex Pfeffer

Project Manager – Toni Pintos

Vocals – Andrew Leslie Cooper, Ashley Turnell, Ben Alden, Brendan Matthew, David Porter-Thomas, Jeremy Budd, Jonathan Clucas, Lawrence White (2), Matthew Long, Michael Craddock, Paul Badly, Simon Grant (4), Ted Hands, William Gaunt, William Purefoy

Limited Edition Collectors Box

Includes: Audio-CD, T-Shirt, Mask, Poster, Post Cards, Sticker.

Standart Edition Box without Blu-Ray: this release

Special Edition Box icluding Blu-Ray and FSK Sticker: Gregorian - Pure Chants

Recordet at Nemo Studios Hamburg, Air Studios London

Mixed at Nemo Studios Hamburg

Mastered at H-Peh Mastering

Barcode: 4 029759 156567

Gregorian is a German band headed by Frank Peterson that performs Gregorian chant-inspired versions of modern pop and rock songs. The band features both vocal harmony and instrumental accompaniment. They competed in Unser Lied für Stockholm the German national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song "Masters of Chant". They placed 5th in the first round of the public voting, missing the top 3. They gained 9.06% of the public vote.

Originally, Gregorian was conceived as a more pop-oriented group in the vein of Enigma. Under this concept, Peterson together with Matthias Meissner and Thomas Schwarz, recorded the 1991 album Sadisfaction, with lead vocals provided by The Sisters of Oz: Susana Espelleta (Peterson's wife at the time) and Birgit Freud. However, this was the only album by the trio in that style.

In 1998, Peterson and his team of Jan-Eric Kohrs, Michael Soltau and Carsten Heusmann re-invented the project to perform popular songs in the Gregorian style. The criteria for song selection were strict; in order to be considered, a song needed to be translatable into the 7-tone scale. For each album, songs were carefully chosen in addition to original songs written by Jan-Eric Kohrs, Amelia Brightman and Carsten Heussman. Twelve vocalists - previously acclaimed session and choir singers - were then hired to record the tracks.

Each Gregorian album was initially digitally tracked at Nemo Studios, Peterson's Hamburg studio. The vocalists then record their parts in a church atmosphere with dimmed lights and candles, in order to escape what Peterson referred to in a 2001 interview as the "cold and technical" studio atmosphere.

The concept proved to be successful, and the group proceeded to record several more Masters of Chant albums in the same style. Their 2004 album, The Dark Side, was a slight departure from the others, featuring a darker repertoire. In 2005, The Masterpieces, a compilation album with a live DVD, was released. A fifth Masters of Chant album was released on 31 March 2006. In 2006, a festive album was also released, titled Christmas Chants. A sixth Masters of Chant album was released on 28 September 2007. In 2009, a seventh Masters of Chant album followed. On 8 September 2010 the next album, titled The Dark Side of Chant, was announced to be published on 15 October 2010. In 2012, Epic Chants was published with the collaboration of the Russian newcomer Eva Mali, in 2015 the tenth album from the Masters of Chant series was released, titled Masters of Chant X: The Final Chapter, in 2016, Live! Masters of Chant - Final Chapter Tour, in 2017, Masters of Chant — The Platinum Collection and in November 19, 2019: 20/2020

Gregorian Discography

Gregorian have released ten albums in their Masters of Chant series and a number of other albums, including a Christmas album. They have also released two types of video album; live concerts and music video albums featuring the singers in various surroundings.

Initial project

1991: Sadisfaction (album)

1991: "So Sad" (single)

1991: "Once in a Lifetime" (single)

Masters of Chant albums

1999: Masters of Chant

2001: Masters of Chant Chapter II

2002: Masters of Chant Chapter III

2003: Masters of Chant Chapter IV

2004: The Dark Side (called Masters of Chant V in Oceania but distinct from the 2006 album of that name)

2006: Masters of Chant Chapter V

2007: Masters of Chant Chapter VI

2009: Masters of Chant Chapter VII

2010: Dark Side of the Chant

2011: Masters of Chant Chapter VIII

2012: Epic Chants

2013: Masters of Chant Chapter IX

2014: Winter Chants

2015: Masters of Chant X: The Final Chapter

2017: Holy Chants

2021: Pure Chants

Other albums/compilations

2005: The Masterpieces (Best of CD and live DVD)

2006: Christmas Chants

2007: Masters of Chant (Curb Records)

2011: Best of 1990–2010

2016: Live! Masters of Chant - Final Chapter Tour

2017: Masters of Chant — The Platinum Collection

2019: 20/2020

Singles

1999: "Masters of Chant"

2000: "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"

2000: "Losing My Religion"

2001: "Moment of Peace"

2001: "Voyage Voyage"

2002: "Join Me"

2003: "The Gift"

2003: "Angels"

2004: "Where the Wild Roses Grow"

2010: "O Fortuna"

Video albums

2001: Masters of Chant in Santiago de Compostela

2001: Moments of Peace in Ireland

2002: Masters of Chant Chapter III

2003: Gold Edition

2005: The Masterpieces

2007: Masters of Chant: Live at Kreuzenstein Castle

2008: Christmas Chants & Visions

2011: Masters of Chant Chapter 8 (Gregorian Live in Europe 2011: The Dark Side of the Chant) - Limited Edition (CD & DVD)

2012: Epic Chants "Dark Side of the Chants Live in Zagreb" - Limited Edition (CD & DVD)

2013: Epic Chants Tour 2013 "Live in Belgrade" - Deluxe Edition (CD & DVD)

2016: Masters of Chant - Final Chapter Tour (CD & DVD, blu-ray) (Limited Fan Edition including 4 additional music videos and the complete concert on double CD)

Gregorian – Pure Chants (2021): Timeless Choral Elegance in the Modern Era

Released in 2021, Pure Chants is a modern entry in Gregorian’s expansive discography, continuing the band’s signature approach of transforming popular songs into Gregorian chant-inspired arrangements. Known for their fusion of medieval choral harmonies, ethereal ambience, and cinematic instrumentation, Gregorian brings a calm, spiritual, and introspective tone to contemporary and classic hits alike.

Pure Chants emphasizes minimalist elegance and emotional resonance, offering both long-time fans and new listeners a contemplative listening experience that bridges centuries of musical tradition.

Band Background and Formation

Gregorian was founded in 1991 by German producer Frank Peterson, following his work with Enigma and other ambient music projects. The concept involves:

• Reinterpreting modern pop, rock, and metal songs into Gregorian chant style

• Using a male choir as the central expressive instrument

• Incorporating lush, ambient orchestration to complement choral textures

Gregorian’s unique blend of neo-medieval style and contemporary music has earned them international recognition, particularly in Europe and Asia, where choral reinterpretations of well-known hits resonate deeply with audiences.

Musical Style and Sound

Pure Chants is characterized by:

• Atmospheric Gregorian-style male choir vocals

• Minimalist instrumentation that emphasizes spatial acoustics and reverberation

• Orchestral, ambient, and cinematic textures

• Slow, reflective tempos and immersive soundscapes

• A focus on mood, contemplation, and meditative listening

The album represents a modern refinement of Gregorian’s sound, with production techniques that allow every vocal line and harmonic layer to shine.

Tracklist Overview

1. Fields of Gold (Sting cover)

2. Fix You (Coldplay cover)

3. Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen cover)

4. With or Without You (U2 cover)

5. Tears in Heaven (Eric Clapton cover)

6. My Heart Will Go On (Celine Dion cover)

7. Time to Say Goodbye (Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman cover)

8. Nothing Else Matters (Metallica cover)

9. Angel (Sarah McLachlan cover)

10. Creep (Radiohead cover)

11. Boulevards of Broken Dreams (Green Day cover)

12. Silent Lucidity (Queensrÿche cover)

The album emphasizes introspective, emotionally charged songs, reimagined through Gregorian’s signature chant style.

Standout Tracks

“Hallelujah”

Gregorian’s version transforms Leonard Cohen’s classic into a soaring, ethereal choral experience, with each vocal line harmonizing to create a timeless, meditative atmosphere.

“Fix You”

Coldplay’s emotive ballad is rendered in a slow, reverent chant style, highlighting the song’s spiritual undertones and melancholic beauty.

“Nothing Else Matters”

Metallica’s rock anthem becomes a dramatic, cinematic chant, demonstrating the band’s ability to convert heavy, guitar-driven music into serene, choral art.

Lyrical Themes

Even though Gregorian performs cover songs, Pure Chants consistently emphasizes:

• Reflection and introspection (Fix You, Hallelujah)

• Love, loss, and nostalgia (Tears in Heaven, Angel)

• Spiritual and emotional resonance (Time to Say Goodbye)

• Isolation, longing, and contemplation (Creep, Boulevards of Broken Dreams)

The chant arrangements enhance the emotional depth, turning familiar lyrics into timeless meditative experiences.

Fun Facts & Trivia

• Pure Chants is part of Gregorian’s ongoing Masters of Chant legacy, though it emphasizes pure, minimalistic arrangements rather than large-scale orchestral reinterpretations.

• Frank Peterson, the band’s founder, continues to oversee composition, arrangement, and production, ensuring the choir maintains the signature Gregorian sound.

• Tracks like “My Heart Will Go On” and “Time to Say Goodbye” showcase Gregorian’s ability to adapt iconic cinematic ballads into a sacred, choral context.

• Gregorian’s albums often appeal to both fans of classical crossover music and modern pop audiences, expanding their global reach.

• The band frequently performs live with full choir accompaniment, offering immersive, concert-hall experiences that mirror the album’s meditative tone.

Did You Know?

• Gregorian’s unique approach has influenced other crossover and choral projects worldwide, inspiring reinterpretations of contemporary music in classical and sacred styles.

• Pure Chants emphasizes purity of vocal tone and minimal instrumentation, a departure from some of their earlier, more cinematic works.

• Gregorian albums have charted consistently in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where choral crossover music enjoys dedicated audiences.

• Many songs on Pure Chants were chosen for their emotional intensity and melodic beauty, providing ideal material for choral reinterpretation.

• Gregorian’s performances and recordings are often used in relaxation, meditation, and cinematic contexts due to the immersive, calming nature of the music.

Commercial Performance and Top-Selling Albums

While Pure Chants targets a niche audience, it contributes to Gregorian’s sustained popularity in Europe and Asia, particularly among fans of classical crossover, ambient, and choral music.

Some of Gregorian’s top-selling and influential albums include:

• Masters of Chant (1999) – Introduction to the concept

• Masters of Chant II (2001) – Expanded repertoire and style

• The Dark Side (2004) – Darker, introspective reinterpretations

• Masters of Chant Chapter VI (2007) – Refined choral arrangements

• Pure Chants (2021) – Modern, minimalistic choral reinterpretations

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Pure Chants reinforces Gregorian’s position as a leader in choral reinterpretation of contemporary music, showcasing how modern songs can be transformed into meditative, sacred experiences.

The album highlights:

• The timeless quality of melody and harmony

• The potential for classical vocal techniques to bridge genres

• The adaptability of rock and pop songs to new, immersive interpretations

Gregorian’s work continues to inspire meditative and cinematic uses of popular music, influencing new generations of classical crossover artists.

Most Famous Songs Covered on Pure Chants

• Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)

• Fix You (Coldplay)

• Nothing Else Matters (Metallica)

• My Heart Will Go On (Celine Dion)

• With or Without You (U2)

These tracks exemplify Gregorian’s ability to transform iconic modern songs into timeless, meditative choral pieces.

Full Discography (Selected Albums)

• Masters of Chant (1999)

• Masters of Chant II (2001)

• Masters of Chant III (2002)

• The Dark Side (2004)

• Masters of Chant Chapter VI (2007)

• Pure Chants (2021)

Band Timeline

• Formed: 1991, Germany

• Years active: 1991–present

• Status: Active, releasing themed albums and touring internationally

Keywords

Gregorian Pure Chants 2021 album, Gregorian album review, Gregorian Masters of Chant series, Gregorian choral covers, medieval chant modern songs, ambient choral music, choral rock albums, Gregorian discography