Optional "florid" alleluias in the Rossini Propers
  • David AndrewDavid Andrew
    Posts: 1,206
    The Rossini Propers include an optional "florid" alleluia for the Gradual chants, but I'm not understanding the instructions regarding their proper execution.

    From what I can tell, there is supposed to be a double alleluia prior to the Gradual verse, and a single alleluia after. However, according to the instruction in the text, the florid alleluia is sung (which only has one repetition of the text) in place of the double alleluia provided in the main text (set to the psalm tone), followed by the "B" setting of the verse text, which includes a concluding alleluia.

    Can someone explain how this is supposed to work?
  • Chrism
    Posts: 870
    It's supposed to work just like chanting the Alleluia from the Liber.

    For the First Sunday of Advent, if you look on page 2, after the Gradual, the cantor(s) sing the Alleluia at the bottom of the page from the start of the line up to the coda, then the choir sings Alleluia from the beginning of the line through the end of the line. Then the cantor(s) sing line B-4 under 1st SUNDAY in Advent at the top of the page. Then the choir sings the Alleluia at the bottom of the page again from the start of the line through the ends.

    The net result is that the following text is sung:

    Alleluia, alleluia. Ostende nobis, Domine misericordiam tuam: et salutare tuum da nobis. Alleluia.
  • gregpgregp
    Posts: 632
    And, btw, several of those florid Alleluias are written in chant notation on pp. 84-85 of the Parish Book of Chant.
  • Felicity
    Posts: 77
    The easiest way to explain this is via example. Please look at the 1st Sunday in Advent on page 2.


    First, sing lines 1 and 2 - which constitute the Gradual.

    Second, instead of singing line 3, sing the florid Alleluia at the bottom from the beginning as far as the dal segno symbol; and, then chant the florid alleluia from the beginning all the way through to its end.

    Third, sing line B-4, which is the Verse.

    Last, sing the florid Alleluia at the bottom of the page from beginning to end.


    I hope this helps.
  • JonathanKKJonathanKK
    Posts: 542
    Here is something which should be useful; it is a one-page printout of all the Alleluias Rossini uses, as found in square notes in the Liber Usualis. Note that the list of where they are taken from gives one source each; however, at least several of these melodies occur more than once in the Liber (the Mode 8 and 2 especially).
    Printout Gregorian Alleluias for Rossini.doc
    123K
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