Marian antiphons accompaniments
  • Matty
    Posts: 25
    I'm amazed the Nova Organi Harmonia series only has the solemn versions of the Marian antiphons (included twice).

    Does anyone happen to know whether there are any harmonisations of these in the simple tone by the Flemish school – Flor Peeters etc?
  • JonathanKKJonathanKK
    Posts: 542
    My theory is that the simple tones were a Solesmes thing, and not part of the Vatican Edition. So that might be why the NOH did not include them.
  • Chris Garton-Zavesky
    Posts: 6,902
    Matty,

    Jonathan knows better than I do, probably, but I would guess one doesn't accompany the Marian antiphon in its simple tone because --- well --- it's the simple tone. More elaborate ceremony requires more elaborate instrumentation, I would think.
  • M. Jackson Osborn
    Posts: 8,415
    Chris -

    I do not mean to enter into this by offering argumentation about the pluses and minuses, the correctness or incorrectness of 'accompanied' chant. I will, though, take issue with your implication that 'accompanied chant' represents greater solemnity than chant which is unaccompanied. Such an argument is outrageously presumptuous and without foundation - (or else humourous in the extreme).

    As for Matty's question, Jonathan would seem to have a plausible answer. Perhaps one of our experienced scholars of the NOH could supply a definitive answer.
    Thanked by 1tomjaw
  • Richard MixRichard Mix
    Posts: 2,801
    As you may know Langlais has a Paraphrase sur la Salve Regina on the simple tune that would serve for a choral prelude, no. 5 in his 24 Pièces.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • Chris Garton-Zavesky
    Posts: 6,902
    Jackson,

    I don't mean more solemnity, but more elaborate-ness. I resist the idea that Propers ought to be accompanied and that Ordinaries must be accompanied. ( I also find unfounded the concept that the assembled lay faithful must sing everything and that the music should be chosen to elicit such participation ). Rather, I'm expanding on the idea that we bring out trumpets and such for specially festive occasions. Festive and Solemn aren't interchangeable terms, so I'm sorry for the confusion.
    Thanked by 1tomjaw
  • JonathanKKJonathanKK
    Posts: 542
    By the way, the simple tones not being part of the Vatican Edition means that the "solemn" tones were in fact intended to be used every day. Originally you will see that they had no designation, they were just the Marian antiphons and that was that. Because the simple tones existed as such, later the designation "solemn" came to be applied to the more elaborate tones.
    Thanked by 2CHGiffen tomjaw
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