This recording from the sopranos and altos of Buckfast Abbey Choir captures the unique sound world of upper voices for the Mass. Drawing on repertoire from a short, yet vibrant, period in early twentieth-century France, the program showcases Masses by Gabriel FaurÃ©, Jehan Alain, and Jean Langlais, three significant figures in the evolving tradition of French church music. These works are interspersed with Gregorian chants in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, patron of the Abbey Church at Buckfast, in whose radiant acoustic this album was recorded. FaurÃ©'s Messe basse, with it's intimate lyricism, is paired with a contemporary Gloria by David Davies. Alain's Messe modale en septuor reveals his rhythmic vitality and chant-inspired style, while Langlais' Missa in simplicitate embodies an effortless spiritual purity. Rooted in the Benedictine tradition - restored at Buckfast by French monks in 1882 - and French inspiration, this album offers music of beauty, simplicity, and prayerful intensity.

Tracklist:

Anonymous: Introitus: Gaudeamus
Faure: Messe Basse: I. Kyrie
Faure: Messe Basse: Gloria (By David Davies)
Faure: Messe Basse: II. Sanctus
Faure: Messe Basse: III. Benedictus
Faure: Messe Basse: O Salutaris Hostia (By Andre Messager)
Faure: Messe Basse: IV. Agnus Dei
Anonymous: Alleluia: Ave Maria
Alain: Messe Modale en Septuor, Ja 136, Awv 110 I. Kyrie
Alain: Messe Modale en Septuor, Ja 136, Awv 110 II. Gloria
Alain: Messe Modale en Septuor, Ja 136, Awv 110 III. Sanctus
Alain: Messe Modale en Septuor, Ja 136, Awv 110 IV. Agnus Dei
Alain: Choral Cistercien Pour Une Elevation, Ja 134, Awv 62
Alain: O Quam Suavis Est, Ja 35, Awv 39
Langlais: Trois Prieres, Op65 I. Ave Verum
Langlais: Trois Prieres, Op65 II. Ave Maris Stella
Langlais: Trois Prieres, Op65 III. Tantum Ergo
Anonymous: Communio: Beata Viscera
Langlais: Missa in Simplicitate I. Kyrie
Langlais: Missa in Simplicitate II. Gloria
Langlais: Missa in Simplicitate III. Credo
Langlais: Missa in Simplicitate IV. Sanctus
Langlais: Missa in Simplicitate V. Agnus Dei
Roth: Ain Karim, Fantaisie Pour Flute Et Orgue

UPC: 5061115741825
Label: Ad Fontes
Release Date: 8.14.26
Format: CD

[PRE-ORDER] Buckfast Abbey Choir - Messe Modale: Upper Voices Music For Mass By Alain (CD)