Thanks to good marketing, good cover art, and good luck, this disc probably has sold more copies than most other recordings of Gregorian chant put together. It's often quipped that most of those discs have been listened to exactly once and put away--to the puzzlement of many musicians and critics, who point out that there are more beautiful, more varied performances by professional singers available. Yet the singing of these Spanish Benedictines has a special quality that probably explains this disc's popularity--a reverent serenity that no doubt stems from the fact that the monks are actually praying, not just performing. Granted, Chant can become a bit monotonous with repeated listening, but it really gives you the sense of devotion that has always been the purpose of "Gregorian" chant. If this recording (ahem) enchants you at first, wonderful. If you get bored with it later, don't give up--there has been an extraordinary variety of styles and sounds over the 1,500-year history of plainchant, so go exploring with Anonymous 4, Ensemble Gilles Binchois, Sequentia, or Ensemble Organum. You won't be sorry.
 
  1. Puer Natus Est Nobis: Intriot (Modo VII)
  2. Os Iusti: Gradual (Modo I)
  3. Christus Factus Est Pro Nobis: Gradual (Modo V)
  4. Mandatum Novum Do Vobis: Antiphonal And Psalm 132 (Modo III)
  5. Media Vita In Morte Sumus: Responsorio (Modo IV)
  6. Alleluia, Beatus Vir Qui Suffert: (Modo I)
  7. Spiritus Domini: Introit (Modo VIII)
  8. Improperium: Offertorio (Modo VIII)
  9. Laetatus Sum: Gradual (Modo VII)
  10. Kyrie XI - A: (Modo I)
  11. Puer Natus In Bethlehem: Ritmo (Modo I)
  12. Jacta Cogitatum Tuum: Gradual (Modo VII)
  13. Verbum Caro Factum Est: Responsorio (Modo VII)
  14. Genuit Puerpera Regem: Antiphonal And Psalm 99 (Modo II)
  15. Occuli Omnium: Gradual (Modo VII)
  16. Ave Mundi Spes Maria: Sequenza (Modo I)
  17. Kyrie Fons Bonitatis: Trope (Modo III)
  18. Veni Sancte Spiritus: Sequenza (Modo I)
  19. Hosanna Filio David: Antiphonal (Modo VII)