Chant - Music for the Soul Debuts at #1 on the Billboard Classical Chart

Chant - Music for the Soul Debuts at #1 on the Billboard Classical Chart

Consumers Discover the Calming Effects of Ancient Art as Chant Intrigues the iTunes Generation

NEW YORK, June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Chant - Music for the Soul debuted at #1 on the Billboard Classical Chart and remains the #1 classical release at the iTunes Music Store.

Chant - Music for the Soul was released exclusively through the iTunes Music Store on Tuesday, June 10th and was an instant success for the digital music retailer. The recording will be released physically in-stores nationwide on Tuesday, July 1st.

iTunes editors raved about Chant - Music for the Soul:

"If the Internet had been around 875 years ago, when the Abbey of Stift Heiligenkreuz was founded, you'd probably have heard of these guys by now. Instead, it wasn't until early 2008 that the folks at Universal saw a YouTube clip of the monks at one of the Pope's favorite monasteries, and set about making Chant. It's the most authentic recording you'll ever hear of Gregorian Chant -- the prayer that has been sung in free rhythm by Christian monks for more than a thousand years. It is, quite literally, Music for the Soul." iTunes Music Store

About CHANT - Music for the Soul:

Chant is the ultimate in relaxation and stress relief -- the perfect antidote to our fast-moving modern world. Chant has proven to heal, calm and also give strength; its power is timeless. Dr. Alan Watkins, Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience at Imperial College London, says, "We have recently carried out research that demonstrates that the regular breathing and musical structure of chanting can have a significant and positive physiological impact. Previous studies also demonstrate that such practices have been shown to lower blood pressure, increase levels of the performance hormone DHEA as well as reducing anxiety and depression. The control of the breathing, the feelings of well-being that communal singing bring, and the simplicity of the melodies, seem to have a powerful effect on reducing blood pressure and therefore stress."

Already a runaway hit overseas, Chant - Music for the Soul debuted at #9 on the UK pop chart, alongside Madonna and Duffy, and bested the likes of Amy Winehouse and Leona Lewis. Not surprising given our hectic lifestyle, Chant - Music for the Soul is a much-needed growing phenomenon. In the ongoing quest for spiritual bliss, the CD is a must-have, and arguably the most peaceful listening experience imaginable.

Earlier this year, Universal Classics & Jazz in the UK placed ads in various religious publications encouraging choral groups to submit demos for consideration for a major recording contract. The monks of the Cistercian Abbey Stift Heiligenkreuz in Vienna applied with a clip they had posted on YouTube. With their rich and evocative sound the Monks were the easy favorites. Billboard recently reported, "It's a pretty safe bet that very few of Universal Music's recent signings count Pope Benedict XVI among their fans. But the pontiff is a definite admirer of the latest boys in the hood(s) to sign globally to Universal Classics."

   Release Date: July 1st, 2008   Pre-release at the iTunes Music Store June 10th   UPC: 28947668220  

Source: Universal Classics

CONTACT: Rebecca Davis, +1-212-333-8237, rebecca.davis@umusic.com, or
Samantha Nemeth, +1-212-333-1048, samantha.nemeth@umusic.com, both for
Universal Classics

Web site: http://www.iclassics.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment