Thought I might share an unusual double-album set I found some years ago: a set of instructional records for Gregorian chant, made by the monks of St. Benoit-du-Lac in Canada.
I'm not quite sure when they were made; but the albums have a typewritten sticker, identifying them as the gift of one R. P. Giguère, to the Little Franciscans of Mary at Fort Kent, and dated August 1, 1951.
I have always loved Gregorian Chant and wondered what the earliest recording of it is.
The searches I did for this thread has turned up The Westminster Cathedral Choir in 1925, but I do not know if there are any earlier.
I see that it was distributed by Ed. Archambault Lte. who are still in business in the same spot on Ste Catherine Street. They have to be one of the longest running music houses on the continent. From the label I would guess these were recorded by Herbert Berliner's Compo Company.
Jim
The Benedictine monks of Solesmes are the keepers of the chant tradition in the Roman Catholic church. Their editions of Gregorian Chant are the last word in historical and scholarly accuracy. I have their edition of the "Liber usualis," the book of usual chants, containing the music for the most important occasions throughout the church year, and we musicology grad students studied the chant from this book. It is the true musical foundation of all of Western music (and I do seriously mean "all"), and a world cultural treasure. (BTW, this has nothing whatsoever to do with one's religious affiliation or lack thereof; I myself am a lapsed Lutheran.) The monks of Solesmes performances of the chant may be regarded as definitive, both for their accuracy and for their artistry. I have LP and CD recordings of their beautiful singing; owning a 78 recording is indeed a great privilege, one that I can only aspire to.
I have always loved Gregorian Chant and wondered what the earliest recording of it is.
The searches I did for this thread has turned up The Westminster Cathedral Choir in 1925, but I do not know if there are any earlier.
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