Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz

The Cistercian Monks, stationed at Austria's Abbey of Stift Heiligenkreuz nestled in the Vienna woods, first captured the interest of pop and classical crossover listeners through their 2008 album release Chant: Music for the Soul, known as Chant: Music for Paradise across Europe. This recording showcased the monks engaged in Gregorian chant as sung prayer and achieved global success, generating significant notice along with substantial revenue for the ancient order. Established back in 1133 by St. Leopold III, the abbey endured multiple trials over centuries, such as the Turkish invasion during the 1600s and the ascent plus collapse of the Nazi government in adjacent Germany. Around the period when Chant appeared, approximately eighty monks belonged to the order, with the majority residing at the abbey itself. Universal Records reached out to the Austrian monastery that same year in pursuit of a fresh Gregorian chant project; following periods of prayer, discussion, and bargaining, the monks consented to produce the record. Seventeen members performed the pieces inside their church, adhering to practices dating from pre-Christian eras. Upon launch, the album topped the Billboard charts in the United States at the number one position. Subsequent releases included Vesperae: Baroque Vespers at Stift Heiligenkreuz and Chant: Amor et Passio in 2011, succeeded by Chant: Stabat Mater two years later.