The previous articles in this series discussed the texts and melodies of the Mass Propers. This article concerns the technical elements of the melodies, which are wrapped up in a concept called modality. N.B.: in the process of writing this article, the author came across a detailed article on a similar topic, written by Angela…
The previous article in this series discussed the texts of the Propers. While very important, the texts are only one half of the package. The present article will discuss the other half of the package: the melodies, specifically the historic Gregorian chants to which the Propers are sung in the Western Church. The Propers as…
The Propers (that is, the Introit, Gradual, Tract, Alleluia, Sequence, Offertory, and Communion) are an integral part of the Divine Service. More than any other part of the liturgy, they give shape and life to the rhythm of the liturgical year. Unfortunately, the Propers frequently are misunderstood textually, musically, and liturgically. This series of articles…
In the course of the Lutheran Missal Project, the contents of around 40 missals and other liturgical books will be catalogued. To paraphrase George Orwell, every one of these missals is unique, but some are more unique than others. This description is particularly apt in the case of one of the books in question: Cantiones…