Gregorian Chant: The Monks and Their Music

Made when Chant left competing CD's from Nirvana, Kenny G, and Mary Chapin Carpenter in the dust on the Billboard top 100 albums chart, this 1994 religious TV special looks at the origins, practice, and appeal of Gregorian Chant. Combining scholarly interviews with footage of male and female choirs performing glorious segments of chant, the program is more piecemeal than comprehensive. Relying on performance clips and soundbites, rather than strong connecting narrative and true exploration, Gregorian Chant feels like a piece of reportage, not a carefully scripted documentary (although an accompanying booklet offers more historical information). Still, given the popularity of the subject and the exceptionally low price, this is recommended. Aud: J, H, C, P. (R. Pitman)