History of the Missa de Angelis
  • amindthatsuits
    Posts: 860
    I can't seem to find anything--if there is anything --on the history of the Missa de Angelis. I always thought the Gloria and the Credo sounded French, but I may be way off, of course. It's rather late and so I was hoping we had some kind of information on it, but I can't seem to find it.

    Thanks.

    Kenneth
  • Mark P.
    Posts: 248
    The Mass of the Angels — Mass VIII — for example, consists of a Kyrie from the 15th or 16th century in mode 5; a Gloria from the 16th century, mode 5; a Sanctus from the 12th century, mode 6; and an Agnus from the 15th century, mode 6. The grouping did not become known as Missa de Angelis until late in its life. It is perhaps best to keep these Masses together as they are in the Liber, for uniformity, and for tradition.

    Chant: Music for the Few? Or the Many?

    by Lucy E. Carroll
  • RobertRobert
    Posts: 343
    A good start would be the article at the beginning of the December 1933 issue of Caecilia.
    Thanked by 1Earl_Grey
  • amindthatsuits
    Posts: 860
    The Caecilia article is awesome; just glanced through it. So the one part I felt sure was French--the Gloria--is probably from Italy or Spain somewhere, but the whole Mass was preserved in more recent manuscript in France. Oh, well. I will have to look up that book. I have always believed that time is the best judge of these things, and it sounds like someone had the idea these disparate things all hung together well.

    That my beloved Franciscans do (or did) a votive Mass for the Holy Angels on Mondays, and this Mass was associated with that, was news to me, although if I like something it often turns out to be Franciscan.

    I should never write these things without the L. Usualis handy. I had thought Credo III came from there as well, although now I remember how the book is laid out. Anyone have any idea on where I could find the history of that? I have not hit the musicology databases at school, and probably should. But I am not looking for a literature review....just a quick understanding of the history, if there is one that we know. Many thanks. Very helpful.
  • MarkThompson
    Posts: 768
    That Cecilia article was indeed extremely interesting. I've long been curious about that mass myself. But the most surprising comment, perhaps, was this little remark near the end:
    In 1904, at the occasion of the 13th centenary of Saint Gregory the Great, a Solemn High Mass was celebrated in the church of Saint Peter in Rome. The singing was given entirely in Gregorian Chant, this not having been done for a long time. For this Mass, Pope Pius X himself chose the Kyrie and the Gloria of the "Missa de Angelis".
  • Pancho
    Posts: 27
    I wonder how long "for a long time" means. Whatever was sung in the mean time, it was probably something deemed suitable at the time (like some of that choral, operatic, 19th century stuff I've read about) even if we wouldn't care for it today.
  • M. Jackson Osborn
    Posts: 8,424
    Fr Columba Kelly does not hold this mass in high (or even moderate) esteem. It seems to be sort of a boring C-major vocalise in his judgment. This notwithstanding, I am among those who think it a somewhat festive exuberance. Is it, or is it not, better that running up and down the scales in Orbis Factor???
  • amindthatsuits
    Posts: 860
    Well, there is always a tension between what specialists would like and what is enduring. As the editor of the Oxford Book of English Verse put it, a great work is a great work, "even though 100 judges have said so." For my purposes--the guide for the "clueless, panicked volunteer music director," it suits my needs beautifully, as does the information. Giovanni Vianini in Milan has produced some beautiful videos of "il piu esequito messa nel mondo," the most performed Mass in the world. In his solo demonstration of the Kyiea, I love the Italianate juxtaposition of his flawlessly neat appearance, beautiful singing, lovely setting--and the cleaning lady in the back. Viva Italia.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oR-jhw5qQE

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37q9zIznj2M
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