Adorate Deum / Gregorian Chant From The Proper Of The Mass

Nova Sch

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Cat No: 8550711

Release Date: 12 January 1999

Label: Naxos - Nxc / Naxos Classics

Packaging Type: Jewel Case

No of Units: 1

Barcode: 4891030507111

Genres: Classical

Composer/Series: Adorate Deum / Gregorian Chant from the Proper of the Mass

Description
Adorate DeumGregorian Chant from the Proper of the Mass Gregorian chant represents the continuingmusical tradition of the Catholic Church. In legend, at least, theregularisation of Christian chant has been attributed to the sixth century PopeSt. Gregory the Great. Gregorian chant is, in fact, the form of plainchant thatlargely but not entirely replaced local forms of chant during the Middle Ages.Manuscript sources are preserved from the 10th and 11th centuries,but these are clearly part of an earlier tradition. The term Gregorian chant isgenerally acceptable, in popular usage, to describe the official chant of theChurch. This chant has musical value and interest in itself. Its historicalmusical importance is immeasurable, since much of the liturgical music of theMiddle Ages and of the Renaissance was based on melodies drawn from this bodyof music. In later years, particularly in the nineteenth century, theconnotations of elements of the chant continued as part of the common fund ofmusic to which composers might refer, notably in the chant for the Dies irae (Day of Wrath) from the RequiemMass, the opening notes of which provided a thematic allusion for Liszt's Totentanz and an idee fixe forRachmaninov.Gregorian chant is monodic, modal and in freerhythm. It has a single melodic line, without harmonic or polyphonic elements;it came, at least, to make use of the eight church modes, scales represented bythe white notes of the modern keyboard and starting on D (Dorian mode), E(Phrygian mode), F (Lydian mode) and G (Mixolydian mode), the names drawn fromthe different ancient Greek modes; the rhythm of the chant follows that of thewords. It is possible to classify types of chant very simply as syllabic,neumatic and melismatic. Syllabic chant takes one note to a syllable,represented generally in the musical settings of the Psalms. Neumatic chant mayuse groups of from two to four notes to a syllable, as often in the hymns ofGregorian chant, and melismatic chant indicates the use of a large group ofnotes for one syllable, as found in the florid music for the Alleluias of theliturgy.The liturgy of the Catholic church centres onthe Mass. The Ordinary of the Mass, the elements that remain constantthroughout the year, includes Kyrie(Lordhave mercy), Gloria (Glory be toGod in the highest), Credo (Ibelieve), Sanctus (Holy, holy,holy) and Agnus Dei (Lamb ofGod). The chants of the Proper of the Mass are those that differ from day today, according to the season or the saint or event to be celebrated. The Properconsists of introit, gradual, alleluia, tract, offertory and communion, towhich may be added sequence and possible tropes, these last representingadditions to the liturgy, musical, verbal or both, many of which were removedin the changes that took place as a result of the Council of Trent in thesixteenth century. The introit is to be sung, started by one ormore cantors according to the day, as the priest approaches the altar at Mass. Adorate Deum (Worship God,
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