Taizé

   Interdenominational and international Christian monastic community founded by Roger Louis Schutz-Marsauche (1915– ) in 1949, named for this small village near the site of the great medieval Benedictine monastery at Cluny in Burgundy, France. Because they wished their many pilgrim guests to participate actively in their liturgies, Brother Roger, Brother Robert Giscard (1922–1993), Fr. Joseph Gelineau, and a lay composer, Jacques Berthier beginning in 1975 designed a repertory of chants and songs that could be easily learned. Some are congregational ostinatos, canons, or simple modal melodies used as responds to more professional music. Others give the congregation a simple line to be accompanied by choral polyphony. Berthier, the principal composer, often borrowed from Gregorian and Byzantine chant. The most common original language is Latin, chosen for its neutrality and cantabile qualities, but Taizé music has since been translated into many languages and is sung throughout the world.

   See also Liturgical Movement; Second Vatican Council.