Ope iuva celitus David operosa
Quod sit tutus exitus
A carne cenosa
Exsultantis spiritus
In spe graciosa
De data divinitus
Vita gloriosa.
MUSIC OF THE SARUM OFFICE
The Gregorian Institute of Canada is affiliated with the School of the
Arts, McMaster University.
PNEUMA.
The pneuma (or neuma or neupma) is a lengthy melisma sung at the conclusion of
certain antiphons. They appear amongst the common forms. The pneuma was sung
at the end of the final antiphon (after the psalms) for each of the nocturns, and at
the end of the antiphon (after the canticle) for the Benedictus and Magnificat.
Father Aidan notes that it is of interest that in monastic houses they would add the
pneuma to the main antiphons at the Little Hours, but not in Sarum use.
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