The Gregorian group made itself known in the late 1990s. The soloists of the group performed compositions based on the motive of Gregorian chants. Stage images of musicians deserve considerable attention. The performers take the stage in monastic attire. The group's repertoire is not related to religion.
Formation of the Gregorian Collective
The talented Frank Peterson is at the origins of the creation of the team. From a young age he was fond of music. After graduating from high school, Frank took a job at a store that specialized in selling musical equipment. It was there that he recorded his first demo.
By some miracle, the record got to the producers. Soon Peterson was offered to work in the team of the singer Sandra. This was the first serious experience of the young musician on stage.
Franck was friends with Michael Cretu (Sandra's husband and producer). He showed him several author's compositions. The producer offered Peterson a co-writer position on Sandra's team.
In Ibiza, where Frank and Michael worked in the late 1980s, they had a brilliant idea - to combine religious chants with dance motifs. Actually, this is how the Enigma group appeared. It was one of the most successful projects of the late 1980s. In the team, fans knew Frank under the pseudonym F. Gregorian.
In the early 1990s, Frank left the Enigma team. The musician believed in himself. Therefore, he decided that he had enough talent and acquired knowledge in order to develop his own project. Thomas Schwarz and keyboardist Matthias Meisner helped Peterson to realize his plans. The recording of the LP Sadisfaction featured vocalist Birgit Freud and musician's wife Susana Espellet.
Music critics noted that the debut collection turned out to be interesting. But, alas, he could not compete with the Enigma group. Longplays of the new team sold worse. In this regard, Frank postponed the "promotion" of the group and took up other, more promising projects. Peterson went on to produce albums for Sarah Brightman and Princessa, and later opened a recording studio.
Group resuscitation
Only in 1998, the musician decided to implement his plan. He restored the activities of the Gregorian group. The reanimated group included: Jan-Erik Kors, Michael Soltau and Carsten Heusmann.
The idea of the future longplay was to select the tracks that became top in the period of 1960-1990s. The musicians planned to rework the tracks in the spirit of Gregorian chants, giving them a better and more powerful sound. The disc includes cover versions of the immortal hits of the bands: Metallica, Eric Clapton, REM, Dire Straits and more
Each composition included in the collection has undergone unexpected changes. The musicians managed to pick up a new arrangement and introduction for the tracks. The songs have acquired an interesting "coloring". More than 10 singers from the church choir were invited to record the LP. A significant number of singers have been in the place of the vocalist for the entire existence of the group.
Today, 9 singers are responsible for vocals. In addition to vocalists, the line-up includes:
- Jan-Erik Kors;
- Carsten Heusmann;
- Roland Peil;
- Harry Reishman;
- Gunther Laudan.
Gregorian is the brightest and most memorable band of our time. Fans adore the work of musicians for originality and originality. They are not afraid to experiment. Despite this, the "mood" of the team has not changed for more than two decades.
The creative path and music of the Gregorian group
In 1998, immediately after the revival of the team, Frank assembled a new one. At the same time, he began recording his second studio album, Masters of Chant. The guys have been working on the creation of a new LP for over a year. They processed the selected material in the recording studio Nemo Studios in Hamburg.
Peterson feared that studio sounding of Gregorian chant would destroy all magic. Together with the singers, Frank went to the English Cathedral. There, the band members performed the prepared material.
The production and further processing of the disc was handled by Frank. Already in 1999, music lovers enjoyed the powerful tracks of the second studio album. The pearls of the disc were the tracks: Nothing Else Matters, Losing My Religion and When a Man Loves a Woman.
The album was certified platinum in several countries. The LP sold well. Such success inspired the musicians to organize a large-scale tour in honor of the released album. The musicians tried on monastic clothes and set off to conquer the world.
The band's performances took place not at standard concert venues, but in the buildings of ancient temples. In addition, the musicians sang only live, which strengthened the overall impression of the group.
In the early 2000s, the band recorded 10 striking video clips. The work was released in DVD form. The collection can be found under the title Masters of Chantin Santiagode Compostela.
After a grueling tour, the musicians worked in a recording studio to prepare a rock ballad for fans. In the same period of time, unexpectedly for the "fans", the members of the group released an author's single. We are talking about the track Moment of Peace.
Music in the 2000s
In 2001, the band's discography was replenished with Masters of Chant. chapter II. Longplay led a significant number of cover versions of the legendary rock bands. The collection included a bonus track, which opened the voice of the charming Sarah Brightman. We are talking about the composition Voyage, Voyage by Desireless.
The new LP was also warmly received by fans and music critics. Clips were filmed for some of the tracks, which were included in the DVD collection. The musicians went on a tour, during which they visited more than 60 cities. The team still performed at the sites of temples and ancient buildings.
A year later, the Gregorian group gave the "fans" another collection. We are talking about the LP Masters Of Chant. Chapter III. The musicians have transformed the immortal creations of Sting, Elton John and other famous artists. Members of the team presented the composition Join Me by the HIM group in the form of a dance track. Previously, musicians have not worked in this genre.
Since that time, the team has presented new LPs every year. The musicians present their own vision of various tracks and genres, respectively - from medieval classics to top modern tracks.
There are practically no unsuccessful albums in the band's discography. Over the years of creative activity, the musicians have sold over 15 million collections. The concert geography of the Gregorian group covered 30 countries of the world. The band's concerts are a real bright and memorable show. Spectators who attend performances of idols always sing along with them. From time to time, the vocalists stop singing and enjoy the live performances of their "fans" from the audience.
Interesting facts about the team
- Musicians do not use a phonogram.
- Founding member Frank Peterson began playing the piano at the age of 4.
- Gregorian is considered a group of German origin, but it is certainly dominated by "English" voices.
- The group's repertoire includes assorted numbers from Christmas and classical to rock songs.
- Most of the group's repertoire is made up of cover versions.
The Gregorian Collective at the present time
The team continues to actively tour and replenish the discography with records. In 2017, the musicians presented the "perfect" LP Holy Chants, according to fans.
In 2019, it became known that the band's frontman was working on a new LP in a Hamburg recording studio. The musician did not announce the date and title of the collection in advance. At the same time, the band members announced a large-scale tour, which started at the Historische Stadthalle site in the German city of Wuppertal. Fans can follow the news of their favorite team on the official Facebook page.
