Templars would have chanted this before going to battle, as a prayer for a decisive victory. Ensemble Organum is a French chorus founded by Marcel Pérès in 1982. Under Pérès’ leadership the group has become an authority on Gregorian Chant and other early sacred musical forms for the last 35 years. During that time they have performed more than 1,300, concerts — that’s just over 37 concerts concerts per year.
While Ensemble Organum was originally based out of Sénanque Abbey, they relocated to Royaumont Abbey in 1984, where Pérès founded the European Center for Research on Medieval Music (CERIMM). In 2001, the group relocated yet again to the former Abbey of Moissac, where Marcel founded another research structure called the Center for the Research on Ancient Music.
Both of these centers allow Ensemble Organum to better understand the musical practices of the early composers and musicians. They use this research to create the most authentic performances of early music.
Da Pacem Domine is the Incipit of two different Latin texts. It translates to “Give Peace in our time, O Lord,” and most of the lyrics were taken from Psalm 122. The Templars would have chanted this before going to battle, as a prayer for a decisive victory, so there might be peace.
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