Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos
The Mystery of Santo Domingo De Silos

In the long and winding journey of discovering Classical Music, it very often happens to take alternative routes, linger in the same places for a long time, realize that you have already passed the same point, or, getting distracted, fall disastrously.

Sometimes, however, by chance or through the directions of a passerby, you find the right path. I am, of course, referring to the record that is the subject of this review.

Continuing with the metaphor, it may be one of the most hidden paths, the least traveled, or the most difficult to cross, but certainly one of the most fascinating.

From the very first syllables of "Dominus Regnavit" that open the record, you immediately get the feeling that time stops.
It is undeniable how, in a matter of seconds, the Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos are able to immerse the listener in their monastic dimension. You also notice that this cantus planus is both austere, solemn, and full of spirituality, yet at the same time capable of conveying a strong sense of serenity, liberation, and sharing of the spirit.

With their Chant, the Monks manage to express a unique sense of fraternity, as demonstrated by the performance itself: the Choir is indeed a compact ensemble, yet at the same time, it is able to highlight all the individualities that compose it.
Thanks to an excellent recording, characterized only by a slight background rustle, the Chant resonates as it did in the Abbey where it was originally recorded. The natural reverb of the capture does not disturb the listening but rather enhances it: one perceives in detail the sighs, breaths, pauses, and vocal inflections of the Monks. In the choral passages, the notes remain suspended in the air, perfectly intelligible to the listener until their natural exhaustion.

The fascinating Spanish cadence, combined with the warm timbre of the Monks’ voices, makes even a simple lullaby precious, like the commemoration of the Saints and Martyrs in the "Nomina Offerentium" or in the prayer of the "Credo".

The atmosphere only becomes darker at times in the 3 "Kyrie" present on the record.  

In conclusion, we are in the presence of one of those Masterpieces that every music lover should own or at least listen to.

There remains the hope that these few lines can serve you, if not as a map, at least as a compass to guide you in this fascinating journey.

Monaci di Santo Domingo de Silos, Dom Ismael Fernandez de la Cuesta (dir.), Deutsche Grammophon - 1969, T: 50'31, ADD