Cantatorium

Proper of the Mass for Sundays and Feasts in Proportional Rhythm

Chant recordings sung in proportional rhythm according to the oldest extant manuscripts (YouTube)

Table of Neumes (PDF) - including Metz, St. Gall, Vatican, neography, and modern notations with a summary of principal differences between proportional rhythm and the Solesmes method

Rearticulation and Upper Auxiliary Notes (PDF)

Written Evidence for the Decline and Loss of the Authentic Traditional Rhythm

My thoughts on editorial principles

Antiquarianism?

Rhythmic Analysis of the Introit Dominus Dixit (PDF)


Recommended Reading:

Excerpt from Gregorian Chant according to the Manuscripts by Dom Gregory Murray, O.S.B. (full PDF here)

Summary of “The Rhythm of Gregorian Chant” from Rhythm, Meter and Tempo in Gregorian Chant by Dr. Jan van Biezen; the examples in square notation are available here


Further Reading:

Gregorian Chant: A History of the Controversy Concerning Its Rhythm by John Rayburn

Rhythmic Proportions in Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Chant by Fr. Jan Vollaerts, S.J.


Links:

Mensuralism & Historically Informed Performance Practice:

Note: Most if not all of the following sites presuppose a nuanced, non-proportional rhythmic interpretation.

Restored Editions:

  • Graduale Authenticum - the best online resource for viewing the oldest manuscripts; arranged according to the novus ordo Roman calendar

  • Graduale Synopticum - same edition and numbering as the Graduale Authenticum, with different search options

  • Introits from the Graduale Novum - triplex edition incorporating the melodic corrections of the AISCGre working group published in the journal Beiträge zur Gregorianik

  • Graduale Restitutum - duplex edition incorporating the AISCGre melodic corrections, arranged according to the novus ordo Roman calendar; normally the same reading as the Graduale Novum

  • Offertoriale Restitutum - duplex edition with offertory verses

  • Graduale Renovatum - Royce Nickel's edition; normally the same reading as the Graduale Novum and Graduale Restitutum

  • Graduale Lagal - Chris Hakkennes's edition; arranged according to the novus ordo Roman calendar

Solesmes Method & Editions:

PDF Libraries:

Church Regulations concerning Chant Editions:

  • Col Nostro (Italian) motu proprio of Pope St. Pius X authorizing the Vatican chant edition and permitting the approval of other books only if the variations in the chant come from good manuscripts (paragraph D)

  • Pietras Dubia & PCED Response (2018) tolerating chant editions and interpretations other than Solesmes/Vatican, no. 24; note that Pérès and his disciples use editions that sometimes differ considerably from the Vatican edition

Notation:

Texts:


Contact:

Patrick Williams: organistAL at aol dot com