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Gregorian is a German musical group that performs pop and rock compositions in a style that imitates Gregorian chants.
Although the style of music itself differs significantly from authentic Gregorian chants, the band uses the image of medieval monks in their performances. In particular, most of the songs are performed by a choir of 8-10 people, and at concerts the vocalists perform in monastic cassocks.
Unlike the performers of genuine Gregorian chants, Gregorian use an impressive instrumental accompaniment, including a guitar (depending on the composition - electric or acoustic), percussion, keyboard instruments. Computer processing of music with the help of special effects is also used. At concerts, Gregorian perform in the style inherent in rock bands: compositions are performed "live", their performance is accompanied by a memorable show.
Gregorian is produced and founded by Frank Peterson. In 1990, together with Michael Cretu, he participated in the recording of the debut album of the Enigma MCMXC a.D. project. (on the cover of the disc, Peterson disappeared under the pseudonym F. Gregorian). Prior to that, as a keyboardist, he worked with Michael on Sandra's first solo album.
After breaking up with Michael Cretu in 1991, Peterson recorded the Gregorian album Sadisfaction. But he soon realized that the audience could not appreciate this creation, which is why the idea of combining pop music with Gregorian chants had to be shelved, moreover, this niche was already occupied by the Enigma project. In the 90s, Peterson produced such projects and performers as the Princess (Eng. Princessa), Sarah Brightman (Sarah Brightman), Ofra Haza (Ofra Haza), Eva Mali (Zarina Maliti) and many others. And so, only by the end of the 90s, when the audience was already accustomed to the frequent use of chorales in new age, pop and rock music, Peterson decided to return to his old idea, but in a different format.
In 1998, Frank Peterson, together with a new team (Michael Soltau, Carsten Heusmann and Jan-Eric Kohrs), resumes work on his old project Gregorian. This time he is given the idea of performing songs of different styles and trends in a classical choir. It was necessary to choose something interesting and unexpected from all the huge variety of music, to process it so that the songs were listened to in a new way. The idea of using a choir was not new, as after the success of Enigma MCMXC a.D. many similar groups appeared: often they recorded only one album, after which they went into oblivion. Of course, Frank took a big risk, because no one knew how the audience would react to such a performance of popular hits. A series of Gregorian albums created by him "Masters of Chant" (8 albums) and "The Dark Side" has a stable commercial success.
Gregorian's repertoire includes a wide range of numbers from Christmas and classical songs to rock ones: The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, AC / DC, Deep Purple, Metallica, Phil Collins, Rammstein, HIM, etc., as well as his own compositions.
Frank Peterson – Project Leader, Arranger
Chorus: Richard Naxton (Naxos), Jhonny Clucas (Jhonny), Chris Tickner (Chris T), Richard Collier (Rich), Gerry O'Beirne (Gerry), Lawrence White (Lorro), Rob Fardell (Bobby B), Daniel Williams and Brendan Matthew (Bren)
Female Vocals: Sarah Brightman (also known as Hepsibah or Sarah Hellmann), Amelia Brightman (Violet, Sarah Brightman's younger sister), Eva Mali (Zarina Maliti) Marjan Shaki
Keyboards: Jan-Eric Kohrs, Carsten Heusmann
Percussion, drums: Roland Peil, Harry Reischmann
Guitar, acoustic guitar, solo: Gunther Laudahn
- Sadisfaction (1991).
- Masters of Chant (October 6, 1999).
- Masters of Chant Chapter II (October 15, 2001).
- Masters of Chant Chapter III (October 7, 2002).
- Masters of Chant Chapter IV (October 6, 2003).
- The Dark Side (October 25, 2004).
- The Masterpieces (September 30, 2005) is a best of collection.
- Masters of Chant Chapter V (March 31, 2006).
- Christmas Chants (November 11, 2006).
- Masters of Chant Chapter VI (September 28, 2007)
- Christmas Chants & Visions (2008)
- Masters Of Chant Chapter VII (September 25, 2009)
- The Dark Side Of The Chant (November 5, 2010)
- Best Of 1990 - 2010 (January 28, 2011) - a collection of the best songs[2].
- Masters Of Chant Chapter VIII (September 30, 2011)
- Epic Chants (September 14, 2012)
- Masters Of Chant Chapter IX (September 13, 2013)
- Winter Chants (October 31, 2014)
- Masters Of Chant X: The Final Chapter (November 6, 2015)
- Holy Chants (2017)
- 20/2020 (November 22, 2019)
- 1991: Once in a lifetime
- 1991: So Sad
- 2000: I still haven't found what I'm looking for
- 2001: Still Haven't Found What You're Looking For? (US Release)
- 2001: Moment of Peace
- 2002: Voyage, Voyage
- 2003: The Gift / Angels
- 2003: Join Me
- 2004: Where The Wild Roses Grow
- 2004: Engel (Rammstein)
- 2010: O Fortuna (Starwatch Entertainment)
- 2012: World Without End (single available on iTunes)
- 2001: Masters of Chant in Santiago de Compostela
- 2002: Masters Of Chant Moment Of Peace In Ireland
- 2003: Masters Of Chant Chapter III
- 2003: Gold Edition
- 2006: Live at Kreuzenstein Castle (Live DVD)
- 2008: Christmas Chants & Visions (Live DVD)
- 2009: The Masterpieces (Live DVD)
- 2011: Gregorian: Video Anthology - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
- 2011: The Dark Side Of The Chant On Tour (Live DVD)
- 2012: Live in Zagreb (Live DVD)
- 2013: Epic Chants Tour (Live DVD)
