Antonio Rella directs Gregorian High Mass at Saint Peter's in 1904 - Kyrie Eleison

This is the opening of the earliest recording of the Gregorian Chant, taken in Saint Peter's on 11 April 1904 for the Gramophone and Typewriter Company. The Victor catalog issued the following statement (or perhaps warning) apropos these recordings "It cannot be denied that these Gregorian Chant records are somewhat monotonous, except to those especially interested". Sure enough this is a drastic departure from the romantic style prominently featured on red seal discs of this time and would probably be a shock to anyone used to nothing but the singing style of Melba and Patti.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• gregorian chant
• 78 rpm
• early sound
• pioneer recording
• cappella sistina
• historical recording

[themfromspace]

Shoutout to the blog Cantuale Antonianum for posting a discussion of this video!

[friulano]

Meraviglioso. Finalmente un Gregoriano cantato da uomini e non da puri spiriti

[transformingArt]

I always have great interests on these early acoustic Choir recordings. It sounds great for 1904. Thanks for posting this.