JUST like a prayer, the poptastic Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz
have miraculously stormed into our Top Ten.
The 17 band members aged between 19 and 42 have brought the ancient art of
Gregorian chant – the world’s oldest written form of
music – to the often immoral world that is showbiz.
Gregorian Chant recently pressed all the right buttons as part of the haunting
soundtrack to hit Xbox game Halo.
It prompted demand from a whole new generation for a 21st Century recording of
the ancient music – a form of plainsong.
The monks’ album, Chant: Music For Paradise, has made a divine
intervention into the UK album charts at No9, beating the likes of Amy
Winehouse in the process.
After the success of Halo, record label Universal set about finding a
classical choir to record some chants, putting ads in religious papers
asking interested groups to submit a CD with a view to earning a contract.
Following hundreds of submissions, they chose an entry from a group of
Cistercian monks from Vienna, who sent the company a YouTube link of a video
they made during a 2007 visit by Pope Benedict XVI.
Monks’ spokesman Father Karl, 45, has left the peaceful
monastery to visit London to promote the album.
He said: “We are very surprised about our success. At the beginning
it was a miracle we were chosen.
“Three months ago I did not know what Universal Music was and had I
known I may not have applied.
“We did not realise when we signed that they also had artists with
aggressive language like Eminem.
Huge success ... Halo 3
“I do not dislike Eminem, but we are not pop stars. I now believe we
have made the right choice.
“I must confess I am looking forward to going home – this
is a crazy world for me. I’ve been doing a lot of interviews for
radio and TV.”
The monks do not even have access to TV, but they are allowed use of a
computer, hence their YouTube entry.
Sadly, you won’t be able to catch the monks on tour.
Father Karl said: “We will not be doing any live shows because it
would be ridiculous to say we are monks and then go out and live a lifestyle
that does not fit with what it means to be a monk.
“We monks are very busy just like the people I have seen in London,
but we always have God in our hearts.
“Also, the band don’t want to leave the monastery –
they want to live a strict life, not the life of a rock star.
“Here, when I walk down Oxford Street I see people running around
and buying things – I look in their faces and they do not look as
happy as my brothers.
Album ... Chant: Music for ParadisePressure
“Life in the monastery is more peaceful and we are able to purify
our minds through prayer. Here I feel all my thoughts are lost in a sea of
happening and pressure.
“I think there is something healing in our music and when I see this
crazy civilisation I think it is good that this music is in the chart as it
could calm them down and remind them there is something more in life that
they have forgotten.
“It appeals to all different people. I’ve had Amy
Winehouse fans come to me and tell me how much they like the music. I know
who Madonna and Amy Winehouse are as I listen to the radio in the monastery.
“Our music is not just about relaxing but if that’s what
it helps people to do then we are pleased.
“Our success is nothing short of a miracle.”s.wostear@the-sun.co.uk
