Aristotle A. Esguerra reviews the Gregorian Missal (Solesmes) at his own Cantemus Domino site. He concludes:

It's not intended to be a comprehensive book on chant for the new liturgy - the Graduale Romanum is that book, and even that is incomplete. But for a classical rendition of the reformed liturgy for Sundays and holydays, the Gregorian Missal is essential for choirs and congregations. Indeed, the translations of the antiphons, while not official, could even be used as a basis for vernacular compositions for choir and/or the people - regardless of style - and the Gregorian Missal would still retain its usefulness.

Duetsche Welle lists among its "Top Five" things to do in Germany this week: "Listen to Gregorian chant in a candlelit church. The Archaica Men's Choir will perform Gregorian Chants for the Birth of Jesus on several dates around Christmas and New Year's in the Zinna Cloister in the state of Brandenburg. The ancient cloister will be lit by hundreds of candles for the occasion, and warm mulled wine will also be served. Not a bad idea, since the church won't be heated."

At one level, it is heart breaking to see chant treated as pure entertainment, but one might argue that this is better than not being heard at all. In this case, at least, the chant can be heard in its proper setting.

ZENIT: "The Abbey of Solesmes, long renowned for its Gregorian chant, also is known for another key contribution: a deeper understanding of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception."

Those of us who were privileged to study under Gisbert Brandt at the 2004 CMAA Colloquium, held at Catholic University, learned to treat chant lines as music that inspire a sense of dance. In this way the music was infused with a constant motion, disciplined energy, and joy. In this interview, conducted by Arlene-Oost Zinner at the Colloquium and appearing two weeks ago in The Wanderer, the November 24, 2004 issue, Brandt explains another aspect to the chant:

Chant makes the Divine accessible. Chant is liturgical music; it belongs in the liturgy. It is first and foremost meditative music. It is never self-serving, but serves to draw the listener into the liturgy. It does not exist for our entertainment.... But to discover its beauty, one must make the effort to approach it without prejudice. One must listen and allow it to have its effect. Ridding oneself of prejudice is an enormous challenge.

Brandt discusses his own background, training, and current work with choirs of all ages. The interview is also available in pdf.

From the site Music-for-Church-Choirs.com, apparently primarily from the keyboard of Colin Mawby, comes a three-part series of brief comments on Gregorian chant. There are an introduction, comments on interpretation, and this, a list of Top Twenty Gregorian Chants:

From the Graduale Romanum
and the Liber Usualis

* Missa Orbis Factor

** Dominus dixit ad me (Christmas)
** Alleluia. Dies sanctificatus (Christmas)
** Ecce advenit (Epiphany)
** Victimae Paschali (Easter)
** Veni Sancte Spiritus (Whitsun)

*** Missa Cum Jubilo

**** Missa Kyrie Fons Bonitatis
**** Credo 4
**** Omnes de Saba venient (Epiphany)
**** Alleluia. Caro mea (Corpus Christi)

From the Liber Usualis

* Creator Alme Siderum (Advent)
* Jesu Redemptor Omnium (Christmas)
* Veni Creator Spiritus (Whitsun)
* Vexilla Regis (Passiontide)

** Ave Maris Stella (Our Lady)
** Ut Queant Laxis (St. John the Baptist)

*** Hodie Christus natus est (Christmas)

**** O quam suavis est (Corpus Christi)
**** Salve Regina (solemn)

Easy *
Moderately easy **
Moderately difficult ***
Difficult ****

Some questions:

Does the solemn tone Salve Regina rate four stars in difficulty? Would we then need at least five stars for most gradual and offertory verses?

Mr. Mawby makes frequent reference to the Liber Usualis, as do many even new books on chant. This writer has never touched one for more than a few seconds! Do you use the Liber Usualis for any liturgies or services apart from the 1962 Mass? If so, do you use restored texts such as Conditor alme siderum and Ubi caritas est vera?

Would you agree in the main with this list? What do you think is missing? The stated criteria are that they be "some of the most splendid and beautiful chants." I nominate the introits Puer natus nobis est (***?) and Laetare Ierusalem (***?), That VIII Alleluia, already seen in I Advent (**), the Hymn to Christ the King on Palm Sunday: Gloria, laus et honor (**), as well as Rorate caeli desuper (*?) and Attende, Domine (*), although these last two may be a bit modern for the kind of purists who eschew the Missa de angelis. Finally, along with the editor of The St. Michael Hymnal, I would never want to leave out Lumen ad revelationem gentium (*, but what a stella!) , which has inevitably beautiful organ pieces based on it and was quite useful for the "unity candle" at a wedding in English (with Laudate Dominum, omnes gentes, not Nunc dimittis for the verses!) a few weeks ago.