Cantatorium
in memory of Dr. Jan van Biezen, 1927–2021
R.I.P.
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
Table of Neumatic Elements (PDF); one-page, Gregorian notation without rhythmic markings
Rearticulation and Upper Auxiliary Notes (PDF)
Written Evidence for the Decline and Loss of the Authentic Traditional Rhythm
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:
Musicologie Médiévale - bilingual French/English site; free membership
Recordings:
under the direction of the late Fr. Roman Bannwart, O.S.B., on Spotify and YouTube; these recordings generally agree with the semi-mensuralist rhythmic theories articulated by Dr. Dirk van Kampen in this article
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; the Antiphonale Synopticum is accessible at the same site
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 calendar
Graduel Neumé - Solesmes edition, pre-Pius XII, with St. Gall neumes copied by Dom Cardine
Graduale Duplex - Vatican edition with St. Gall neumes; arranged according to the novus ordo calendar
Several chants in duplex and triplex editions with melodic corrections from the Académie de chant grégorien, Brussels
Solesmes Method & Editions:
Fundamentals of Gregorian Chant according to the Solesmes Method
Repercussion (Rearticulation) according to the Solesmes Method
Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest Sacred Music Resource Page
Gregorian Books Homepage - includes English edition of Dom Johner's commentary
Saint René Goupil Gregorian Chant Propers (Corpus Christi Watershed)
Liber Usualis in modern notation (1932)
PDF Libraries:
St. Jean de Lalande Library of Rare Books (Corpus Christi Watershed)
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:
Illuminare Score Editor (alternate link here)
Texts:
gregorien.info - includes morphological analysis of the Latin texts
Antiphonale Missarum Sextuplex (PDF) by Dom René-Jean Hesbert, O.S.B.
Contact:
Patrick Williams: organistAL at aol dot com