ENIGMA.com
June 21st, 2004, 11:33 PM
Frank Peterson`s idea might have sounded strange, but it worked. A Gregorian choir sings modern popsongs, arranged in the style of the chants sung by medieval monks. The first two GREGORIAN albums (1999/ 2000 and 2001), produced by Hamburg/Germany-based Peterson (Enigma, Sarah Brightman) became international bestsellers, selling one million units each and reaching goldstatus in a dozen countries including Germany, Belgium, Australia, South Africa and Singapur.
Shortly after the release of part two, the producer team consisting of Frank Peterson, Carsten Heusmann, Jan-Eric Kohrs and Michael Soltau started to prepare for part three. For the third time, songs were needed that could be transposed into the style of Gregorian chants. Songs were written, existing compositions had been tested. A lot of them weren`t suitable, only few turned out to be good enough. There is just one basic rule the producers had to stick to, explains Peterson: `Gregorian music uses only seven tones. As soon as there are semitones in a composition, we cannot use it.” That means songs like `Wish You Were Here` by Pink Floyd, included on Part Two are no problem – but Elton John`s `Sacrifice` turns out to be hard.
`Finding the right tunes is hard, because you never know which songs are finally going to work with Gregorian arrangements – and sometimes you`re surprised` says producer Carsten Heusmann. `Take ‘Blue Monday’ by New Order. It was a true electronic dance tune which was transposed by us into an atmospheric guitar-driven Gregorian rock anthem.`
In the end, twenty songs were left. The producer team now started to prepare the material. Playbacks were recorded, possible arrangements were discussed. And finally, they even found a solution to include `Sacrifice.`
Voice recordings took place in London`s Angel Studio, a former church that had been converted into a studio. Producer Jan-Eric Kohrs: `The place is perfect for us, because it sounds very Gregorian.`The team worked hard and finally returned home with twenty potential album tracks.
Again, it was Peter Weihe who was responsible for the guitar sessions. Peter Weihe is probably one of the world`s best guitarists and his knowledge was a crucial contribution to the typically GREGORIAN sound. `His music is very atmospheric, it was such an inspiring session,` says producer Michael Soltau.
GREGORIAN – `Masters Of Chant III` includes `Join Me` by HIM that comes in two different versions. One is sung by Sarah Brightman, the other version is a remix by German dance producer Christopher von Deylen of Schiller. Other titles on the new album are `Blasphemous Rumours` (Depeche Mode), `Only You` (Yazoo), `Blue Monday` (New Order), `Sacrifice` (Elton John), `Ordinary World` (Duran Duran), `Fields Of Gold` (Sting), `I Won`t Hold You Back` (Toto), `Wicked Game` (Chris Isaak), ‘Be’ (Neil Diamond) and the new compositions `Before The Dawn` and `Out Of The Cold`. The release of a GREGORIAN dvd is planned.
www.gregorian.de
check out their music :up2:. liked their remake of "Nothing Else Matters" and "Wicked Game"
Shortly after the release of part two, the producer team consisting of Frank Peterson, Carsten Heusmann, Jan-Eric Kohrs and Michael Soltau started to prepare for part three. For the third time, songs were needed that could be transposed into the style of Gregorian chants. Songs were written, existing compositions had been tested. A lot of them weren`t suitable, only few turned out to be good enough. There is just one basic rule the producers had to stick to, explains Peterson: `Gregorian music uses only seven tones. As soon as there are semitones in a composition, we cannot use it.” That means songs like `Wish You Were Here` by Pink Floyd, included on Part Two are no problem – but Elton John`s `Sacrifice` turns out to be hard.
`Finding the right tunes is hard, because you never know which songs are finally going to work with Gregorian arrangements – and sometimes you`re surprised` says producer Carsten Heusmann. `Take ‘Blue Monday’ by New Order. It was a true electronic dance tune which was transposed by us into an atmospheric guitar-driven Gregorian rock anthem.`
In the end, twenty songs were left. The producer team now started to prepare the material. Playbacks were recorded, possible arrangements were discussed. And finally, they even found a solution to include `Sacrifice.`
Voice recordings took place in London`s Angel Studio, a former church that had been converted into a studio. Producer Jan-Eric Kohrs: `The place is perfect for us, because it sounds very Gregorian.`The team worked hard and finally returned home with twenty potential album tracks.
Again, it was Peter Weihe who was responsible for the guitar sessions. Peter Weihe is probably one of the world`s best guitarists and his knowledge was a crucial contribution to the typically GREGORIAN sound. `His music is very atmospheric, it was such an inspiring session,` says producer Michael Soltau.
GREGORIAN – `Masters Of Chant III` includes `Join Me` by HIM that comes in two different versions. One is sung by Sarah Brightman, the other version is a remix by German dance producer Christopher von Deylen of Schiller. Other titles on the new album are `Blasphemous Rumours` (Depeche Mode), `Only You` (Yazoo), `Blue Monday` (New Order), `Sacrifice` (Elton John), `Ordinary World` (Duran Duran), `Fields Of Gold` (Sting), `I Won`t Hold You Back` (Toto), `Wicked Game` (Chris Isaak), ‘Be’ (Neil Diamond) and the new compositions `Before The Dawn` and `Out Of The Cold`. The release of a GREGORIAN dvd is planned.
www.gregorian.de
check out their music :up2:. liked their remake of "Nothing Else Matters" and "Wicked Game"