Gregorian — Band Biography & Member Profiles
Gregorian is a unique German musical project that performs Gregorian chant‑inspired versions of modern pop and rock songs. The group blends ancient choral vocal styles with contemporary melodies, creating an atmospheric crossover sound that has captivated audiences worldwide for decades.
Frank Peterson — Founder, Producer & Creative Director
Full Name: Frank Peterson
Born: 1963, Hamburg, Germany
Early Life & Background: Peterson grew up in Hamburg and developed both musical and technical skills early in life. He pursued music production and composition, later working closely with the project Enigma, where he helped shape the fusion of atmospheric sounds with Gregorian elements.
Before Gregorian: Before founding Gregorian, Peterson gained experience producing and composing for various artists across genres. He worked with notable performers and contributed to international music projects, including collaborations with pop, classical, and crossover musicians.
Role in Gregorian: Peterson is the mastermind behind Gregorian’s concept and sound. As producer, arranger, and director, he selects songs suitable for transformation into the Gregorian style and guides the vocal ensemble’s performances. He also oversees recording and live production.
Outside Gregorian: In addition to this project, Peterson has produced or composed for artists such as Sarah Brightman, Andrea Bocelli, Enigma, and others, and has worked on film scores and commercial music.
Vocal Ensemble — Choir & Supporting Musicians
Gregorian is not a traditional band with fixed members in the sense of a rock group. Instead, the project features a vocal ensemble made up of classically trained singers and session musicians recruited to perform Gregorian chant–inspired arrangements. These vocalists deliver harmonized chants and melodic interpretations of well‑known songs, often accompanied by instrumental backing.
Current Ensemble Contributors
Some vocalists and performers associated with Gregorian include:
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Amelia Brightman
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Eva Mali (Zarina Maliti)
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Richard Naxton
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Johnny Clucas
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Chris Tickner
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David Tilley
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Gerry O’Beirne
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Lawrence White
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Rob Fardell
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Daniel Williams
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Ted Hands
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Brendan Matthew
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Ashley Turnell
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Miles Horner
These vocalists frequently change between albums and tours, as Gregorian operates more like a collective ensemble than a traditional fixed lineup.
Early History of the Project
The concept behind Gregorian began in 1991, when Frank Peterson, along with collaborators Matthias Meissner and Thomas Schwarz, initially released an album called Sadisfaction under the name Gregorian. This early release had a more pop‑oriented sound and featured vocalists who were not part of the later chant‑focused approach.
In 1998, Peterson and his team reinvented Gregorian with a new vision: to reinterpret popular songs from pop and rock history through the lens of Gregorian chant style, using a choir‑like ensemble and atmospheric arrangements. This marked the beginning of the group’s signature sound that would define their later albums.
Musical Style & Concept
Gregorian’s music is rooted in the aesthetic of Gregorian chant — an ancient form of monophonic choral music associated with medieval church traditions — but applied to a contemporary repertoire of pop, rock, and modern songs. The project transforms well‑known melodies into epic, often ethereal arrangements that blend choral harmonies with instrumental support.
For each album, songs are carefully selected based on their ability to be re‑imagined within the 7‑tone scale and adapted to the vocal style, with the vocalists recording in church‑like atmospheres to evoke a sacred and immersive feel.
Live Performances
Gregorian has toured extensively across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, performing live concerts that combine choral performance, atmospheric staging, and visual elements evocative of sacred spaces. The group has performed in churches, arenas, and theatres, bringing their chant‑inspired sound to diverse audiences.
Legacy & Cultural Impact
Over more than two decades, Gregorian has become one of the most recognized crossover music acts that fuse classical chant traditions with contemporary pop and rock repertoires. Their albums and live shows have brought a new appreciation for vocal harmony and cinematic presentation of popular music through an ancient‑inspired lens.
🎶 Gregorian — Discography, Hits & Trivia
📀 Studio Albums
Gregorian has released numerous albums, mainly focusing on their signature chant-style reinterpretations of pop, rock, and classical songs. Key albums include:
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Sadisfaction (1991) — Early pop-oriented work before the Gregorian chant concept.
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Masters of Chant (1999) — First full album reinterpreting modern hits in Gregorian style.
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Masters of Chant Chapter II (2001) — Continued success with hits like Moment of Peace and covers of pop classics.
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Masters of Chant Chapter III (2002) — Further exploration of modern songs with choral arrangements.
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Masters of Chant Chapter IV (2003) — Blend of pop and rock hits in chant style.
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The Dark Side (2004) — Covers of darker-themed songs from rock and pop artists.
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Masters of Chant Chapter V (2006) — Expanded repertoire with more contemporary songs.
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Christmas Chants (2006) — Seasonal album with a Gregorian twist on holiday classics.
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Masters of Chant Chapter VI (2007) — Continued popular success and refined arrangements.
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Masters of Chant Chapter VII (2009) — Latest in the main chant series.
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Epic Chants (2010) — Compilation highlighting their most popular and epic-style tracks.
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Masters of Chant Chapter VIII (2012) — Blend of classical, pop, and cinematic elements.
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Winter Chants (2013) — Seasonal reinterpretations with atmospheric arrangements.
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Masters of Chant Chapter IX (2015) — Continued popularity in Europe and Asia.
Gregorian has also released live albums, compilations, and special editions showcasing their choir-based interpretations.
📈 Commercial Success
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Gregorian’s albums have sold millions of copies worldwide, particularly in Europe and Asia.
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Masters of Chant series became the flagship product of the project, earning widespread recognition in Germany, France, and the Netherlands.
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The group is especially popular for live performances in cathedrals and arenas, drawing fans of both classical and contemporary music.
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Their albums consistently charted in European music charts, establishing a dedicated fan base over two decades.
🎧 Popular Tracks & Ratings
🔥 Iconic Songs & Covers
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Moment of Peace — Signature original chant-inspired track from Masters of Chant Chapter II.
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Nothing Else Matters — Metallica cover reimagined with Gregorian vocal harmonies.
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Mad World — Atmospheric interpretation of the Tears for Fears classic.
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The Sound of Silence — Simon & Garfunkel’s song transformed into epic choral style.
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Ave Maria — Blend of classical and chant influences with ethereal vocals.
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Boulevard of Broken Dreams — Reworked in chant style from Green Day’s hit.
Fans praise Gregorian for their unique ability to merge modern hits with sacred-sounding chant arrangements, making old favorites feel fresh and mystical.
🔥 Fun Facts & Trivia
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Gregorian’s music blends ancient and modern, creating a “sacred pop” style that is both meditative and dramatic.
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The project is studio-based, with vocalists often rotating between albums and tours.
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Founder Frank Peterson originally worked with Enigma, bringing a similar ethereal production style to Gregorian.
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The choir includes both male and female classically trained singers, though the arrangements often emphasize monastic-style male voices.
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Gregorian has performed live in cathedrals, concert halls, and festivals, emphasizing the spiritual and cinematic atmosphere of their music.
🧠 Did You Know?
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Gregorian was originally named after the 1991 album Sadisfaction but later rebranded for the chant-focused project.
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Despite using ancient chant techniques, the group’s repertoire spans pop, rock, metal, and classical songs.
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Their albums have been particularly popular in Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Japan.
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The project has inspired other “chant-style” tribute acts, but Gregorian remains the most recognized and successful.
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Gregorian often collaborates with artists like Amelia Brightman (vocals) and incorporates cinematic instruments to enhance the chant arrangements.
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