Description
Book SynopsisThe Gregorian Melody is a resource of music pedagogy that centers on one of the most ancient musical repertoires honored by the church and music historians. Though it may not be common to see the word
expressive describing Gregorian chant, a repertoire often associated with subdued solemnity, this volume by renowned scholar and practitioner Alberto Turco includes an abundance of insights into the Gregorian art and proposes that chant is first and foremost sung prayer, an interaction of word and melody, which both include proper and appropriate
expression.
The material included in this resource is foundational as it lays out the elements of the Gregorian melody through a careful analysis of first principles. It will be useful as an introduction to Gregorian chant and for helping readers to understand the Gregorian melody. Readers of all levels may turn to this book to sing the liturgical chant with a deepened appreciation for the expressive power of the
Trade Review"This volume is the encapsulation of decades of research, study, and teaching by one of the most brilliant minds in the field of chant. Herein, Turco has admirably compiled and expanded the most critical information any student of chant should assimilate. The text begins with an overview of the history of chant, which is both concise and informative, adding details that are not commonly known. The heart of the work focuses on chant: firstly on its text, secondly on the melody, and ultimately on the union of text and melody, which is fundamentally different from setting texts to melodies. Turco reminds us that understanding chant must start with understanding its text. This is a welcome addition to the pedagogical materials on the subject, for the study of chant melodies and especially chant rhythms, along with the ancient rhythmic signs, can only be successful if it is grounded on an understanding of the text and its particular nuances. Turco’s approach to the text, and ultimately to the wedding of text and melody, is thorough and masterful. It renders this volume an essential addition to the library of any student or teacher of chant."
Edward Schaefer, President, The Collegium"We are fortunate to have this excellent translation of Alberto Turco’s
The Gregorian Melody: The Expressive Power of the Word by Stephen Concordia, OSB. It is the first time that we have realized the true relationship between the neumes and the words they express. I recommend this book most highly."
Ann Labounsky, Chair of Organ and Sacred Music, Duquesne UniversityTable of ContentsCONTENTS Abbreviations 9
Foreword 13
Author’s Preface 17
INTRODUCTION 21
1. Gregorian chant: sung prayer 21
2. Historical overview of Gregorian chant 24
3. The Gregorian repertory 29
4. The relevance of Gregorian chant 33
CHAPTER 1: THE SOURCES 37
1. Manuscript sources 37
2. Alphabetic notation 47
3. Historical overview of the printed editions 48
4. Square-note semiography 57
5. Complementary elements of square-note semiography 58
CHAPTER 2: THE TEXT 71
Introduction 71
1. The syllable 72
2. The single word 77
3. Latin accentuation 77
4. Rhythm 83
5. The “expanded” word 85
CHAPTER 3: MELODY (PART I) 89
1.
Legato melodic-verbal style 89
2. The accent syllable-neume 90
3. The final syllable-neume 106
4. Rhythmic interpretation 114
5. The word-melody 123
6. The reading of rhythm 126
CHAPTER 4: MELODY (PART II) 143
1.
Sostenuto melodic-verbal style 143
2. Phrasing in the syllabic, semi-ornate, and ornate genres 148
3. Interpretation 161
CHAPTER 5: SYMBIOSIS OF TEXT AND MELODY 165
1. Text and ornamentation 165
2. Text and composition 177
APPENDIX Manuscript illustrations, selection of chants, graphic tables 191
GLOSSARY 241
