Songs & Prayers from Taize

I adore Taize and could listen to this constantly. I recommend this CD to anyone who loves spiritual music. The chants are vibrant, different from traditional plainchant but clearly based on it. One of the beauties of Taize music is that it is multi-lingual, binding the languages and, symbolically, the cultures of people all over the world in sacred song. Taize is so unique in nature that one really needs to hear it rather than hearing it described. Since a couple of my favourite pieces didn't make it to this particular edition, I'll be purchasing another Taize CD down the road as well.

simple and short but very profound songs, psalms and chants from the western latin/english tradition. great for easy listening or incorporating into personal devotional or meditative prayer. the quality of the recording was not what it could be. although stylistically this would probably more familiar to Catholics i would recommend these psalms and songs for any Christians seeking to recapture more traditional and Scripture based worship venues within the modern context of their daily lives.

I have been attending taize services on and off for a decade now. When I heard the first few songs on this CD, my heart sunk with disappointment. Not only is the audio quality seem terribly poor, but the songs seem to be conducted and performed by a semi-professional group rather than prayed by a prayerful congregation & choir. I have no doubt that these people meant well and were prayerful, but I just couldn't get into it. The Taize I know is is an organic, communal prayer--soft, inviting, soothing--that I've felt welcomed into. Some of these arrangements felt so scripted and baroque... I feel an ordinary person could not possibly join into some of these songs :-( I don't want to be disrespectful to other people's musical and prayer tastes, but if you're looking for what I described in this CD, you might find yourself disappointed. Disclaimer--I was so disappointed I only listened to the first 6 songs or so, as I couldn't take more. I will be returning this CD for the reasons I described.

I love this CD. I listen to every morning after I leave daily Mass and as I drive to work. I listen to it just in general too as I am driving in my car. It brings my heart so close to God's love. It is a beautiful CD and I recommend it to everyone. It is so full of peace and calm and the love of God. God bless you and enjoy!!

I liked the music and the message.

The singing of the Taize songs is well done, though it seems as if the participants are just regular worshipers like you and me. But what the CD lacks in professional level singing, it makes up for in love and dedication.

I had this on cassette tape and I really have missed it now that my car only plays CDs. The music is very calming and centering. The lyrics are included in the liner.

Some of Taize's most beautiful and most meditative music. The lovely balance of slower and slightly more lively songs, the tonal quality of the voices and the excellent diction allows for the words of each song to be clearly understood and makes this a "must buy" no matter whether your motive is that you enjoy choral chant as an art-form or just want to relax and be peaceful.

This album is heavenly. The pure melodies bring peace and bliss to the soul. The best purchase I have made in a long time.

このＣＤを収録したテゼ共同体は1940年にブラザー・ロジェによってフランスのテゼ村で始められたキリスト者の信仰共同体である。出身者はプロテスタントからもカトリックからも混じっており、このＣＤの曲も何風とも言えない不思議な宗教曲集である。旋律は中世のカトリック風ともまた、宗教改革後のドイツプロテスタントの宗教曲風とも、また、近年のプロテスタントのコンテンポラリーミュージック風とも、また、どこかイスラエルの民俗音楽風でもある。また、ドイツのプロテスタントの女子修道会であるマリヤ福音姉妹会の賛美歌風でもある。古い伝統を踏まえながらもカビ臭くないというところか。このＣＤに単旋律のユニゾン演奏を期待していたが、このＣＤは合唱であったのは期待を裏切られた。しかしもともと音楽の専門家集団ではないはずなのに、これだけの訓練された歌を自分たちの歌として唱和して歌えるというのは不思議である。

This wonderful recording has become our preferred travel CD. We regularly sing one of the pieces as a prayer before meals. My six-year-old daughter just loves it!

I love this CD, I will buy more like this from Taize.

Love every minute of this CD!