Overview

How music functioned in the middle ages, what it meant to its hearers, and how it was performed: these are the subjects of this fascinating volume. The studies collected here introduce the reader to the practical detail and complex intricacies of the performance of medieval music in the liturgy, bringing into clear focus a number of matters that were long obscure. (A second volume by Professor Kelly,The Sources of Beneventan Chant, Ashgate 2011, complements this volume). Two detailed studies of aspects of musical practices of the Eternal City bring new historical perspectives to the understanding of the growth of the Roman liturgy, while the second and third groups of articles bring the reader close to the actual sound of medieval musicians. Writings on the art of the prosula, a hitherto understudied musico-poetic phenomenon, give practical information about Gregorian chant that can be acquired in no other way. Likewise, the study of variants in the music of the Exultet for Holy Saturday provides a window onto a creative and improvisational practice that is often difficult to discern from surviving written sources. A final study, of the composers of chant in the middle ages, gives us a view of how musicians and others thought of themselves in a time that often valued anonymity.

Full Product Details

Author:   Thomas Forrest Kelly
Publisher:   Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint:   Routledge
Edition:   New edition
Weight:   0.771kg
ISBN:  

9781409405276

ISBN 10:   1409405273
Pages:   372
Publication Date:   28 July 2010
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.

Table of Contents

Contents: Part 1 Roman Matters: Old-Roman chant and the Responsories of Noah: new evidence from Sutri; Candle, text, ceremony: the Exultet at Rome. Part 2 Embellishing the Liturgy: Introducing the Gloria in excelsis; New music from old: the structuring of responsory prosas; Melodic elaboration in responsory melismas; Melisma and prosula: the performance of responsory tropes; Neuma triplex; Modal neumes at Sens. Part 3 Singing from Scrolls: Structure and ornament in chant: the case of the Beneventan Exultet; The liturgical rotulus at Benevento; A Milanese processional roll at the Beinecke library. Part 4 Later Medieval Music: Medieval composers of liturgical chant; Early polyphony at Montecassino; Indexes.

Reviews

Author Information

Thomas Forrest Kelly is Harvard College Professor and Morton B. Knafel Professor of Music, Harvard University, USA

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions