Front cover image for An introduction to Gregorian chant

An introduction to Gregorian chant

Richard L. Crocker offers in this book and its accompanying compact disc an introduction to the history and meaning of the Gregorian chant. He explains how Gregorian chant began, what functions and meanings it had over time, who heard it and where, and how it was composed, learned, written down and handed on. Crocker explains Gregorian chant and its functions within modern catholic liturgy as well as its position outside this liturgy, where the modern listener may hear it just as music. He describes the origins of the chant in the early Middle Ages, details its medieval development and use, and considers how it survived without, and later with, musical notation. The author probes the paradoxical position of the chant in monastic life -- serving as an expression of liturgical fellowship on the one hand and as the medium of solitary mystic ascent on the other. The book also includes a detailed commentary on each of twenty-six complete chants performed by the Orlando Consort and by the author on the accompanying compact disc. --From publisher's description
Print Book, English, ©2000
Yale University Press, New Haven, CT, ©2000
Compact discs
248 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm + 1 audio disc (digital ; 4 3/4 in.)
9780300083101, 0300083106
42980246
Chant, chanting and Gregorian chant
Tone and tonal space for Gregorian chant
Melodic movement, rhythm and words
Gregorian chant, Roman politics and European polyphony
Singing the praises in early Christian worship
Gregorian chant in the Roman rite
Monastic chant in time and eternity
Gregorian chant in notation and in the mind. CD contents. Haec dies (Gradual)
Puer natus (Introit antiphon)
Viderunt omnes (Gradual)
Alleluia Dies sanctificatus
Tui sunt caeli (Offertory): Magnus et metuendus ; Tu humiliasti
Viderung omnes (Communion antiphon)
Laetatus sum (Gradual)
Adiutor in opportunitatibus (Gradual)
Custodi me (Gradual)
Alleluia Dominus dixit
Alleluiz excita Domine
Super flumina (Offertory)
Exaltabo te (Offertory)
Psallite Domino (Communion antiphon)
Qui meditabitur (Communion antiphon)
Kyrie eleison
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Sanctus
Agnus Dei
Psalm 2: Quare fremeurunt gentes ; with Dominus dixit (antiphon)
O Magnum mysterium (responsory)
Parvulus filius (antiphon) ; Psalm 250: Laudate Dominum
Multifarium (chapter) ; Verbum caro (responsory)
A solis ortus cardine (Office hymn)
Gloria in excelsis (antiphon ; Canticle: Benedictus
Salve Regina (Antiphon)
Tracks 1 and 26: Orlando Consort. Remaining tracks: Richard L. Crocker ; with (tracks 2, 5, 22-25) Marika Kuzma.