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Origins and Organization of Plainchant: From Recitation to Notation

Explore the origins of plainchant and secular monophony, from their Jewish roots to the influence of early Christian theologians. Learn about the early organization of chant and the development of notation, leading to the formation of plainchant as we know it today.

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Origins and Organization of Plainchant: From Recitation to Notation

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  1. Chapter 1 “Plainchant and Secular Monophony”

  2. Origins of Chant • Recitation and singing of Christian scriptures • Based in Jewish Practices • Biblical references • Allure & danger of music- St. Basil (4th cent)- St. Augustine (5th cent) • Not systematized • Local Practices: Roman, Ambrosian, Gallican, Mozarabic, etc. • NO NOTATION

  3. Early Organization of Chant • Pope Gregory I, “Great” (reigned 590-604) • Promotes “Roman” versions of chant • Credited w/ systematic organization of chants • Myth • Probably begun under earlier popes From an early St. Gall MS

  4. Origins of Notation • Need to unify HRE • Impose common liturgy throughout HRE • Singing Schools- Metz (France)- St. Gall (Switzerland) • Texts notated as memory aids (Neumes) • Earliest appear c. late 800s Coronation of Charlemagne (800 CE)

  5. Nondiastematic Neumes Pre-1000 (?)

  6. Diastematic Neumes 11th Century

  7. More Diastematic Neumes Late 11th Century

  8. “Square” Notation 14th Century

  9. “Modern” Chant Notation From the Liber Usualis

  10. Plainchant • Also: just “Chant” or “Gregorian Chant” • Defined: - one line melody (one or more singers) - NO accompaniment/2nd or additional lines • Five elements - Liturgical Function - Relationship of Words and Music - Mode - Melodic Structure - Rhythm

  11. Liturgical Function • Determines much of a chant’s sound, etc. • Two broad classes of services • Office (from officium = “duty”)- fixed daily series of 8 services (prayers, etc.)- monastery/nunnery – private devotions- Rule of St. Benedict defines these • Mass- daily public service (prayers, singing- Eucharist (re-enacts Christ’s sacrifice)

  12. Ordinary vs. Proper • Based in Liturgical Calendar- Advent through Easter, then Pentecost • Feasts celebrated in order/assigned days- specific prayers, readings, hymns, etc. • Certain unique elements used on specific days- cannot be sung/said on any other day- PROPER • Unchanging elements not tied to specific days- Framework of mass/office- ORDINARY

  13. Order of the Mass Music Kyrie Gloria Credo Sanctus/Benedictus Agnus Dei Ite, missa est Introit Gradual Offertory Communion Ordinary Proper

  14. Words and Music • How many notes for each syllable? • Syllabic (one note to each syllable)- “Victimae Paschali Laudes”- “Credo” • Melismatic (multiple notes for a syllable)- “Kyrie”- “Alleluia” • Neumatic (short melismas, 2-4 notes)

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