Psalm tones ancient, obscure and retired
  • Palestrina
    Posts: 561
    I am sure there must be a richer range of psalm tones than those that we find in the Graduale and the Liber… but I wouldn’t know where to start looking.

    Does anyone know of any good sources?

    I am especially interested in elaborate psalm tones, and not merely variants (eg. Sarum) on the mainstream Roman selection.
    Thanked by 2ServiamScores CHGiffen
  • ServiamScores
    Posts: 3,243
    Adjacent but related: if anyone has any good resources about psalm tones of other rites (Ambrosian, Mozarabic, etc.) I'd love to see those, too.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • monasteryliturgistmonasteryliturgist
    Posts: 557
    This is a file I made for another community with the normal tones we use but towards the back in has what are known has "Ancient Tones" although they are found in the Vesperale.

    Tone C, E, D, Peregrinus, and Sine Antiphona

    Admittedly they are familiar for many depending on where you get your sources. If you usually use the Liber Usualis they might have variation you are unaccustomed to, even the non Antiquus tones.
    Applying the Gregorian Tones to English.docx
    6M
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  • GerardH
    Posts: 660
    There's the ton royale from Paris. Looks to be 16th century.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • RoborgelmeisterRoborgelmeister
    Posts: 374
    I think there are other Parisian tones, but I've never been able to find a reliable source.
  • Palestrina
    Posts: 561
    Thank you, everyone - I am enjoying the sources you are sending through very much. They certainly speak to Dobszay’s view that the Roman Rite as we have it in our books is really a subset (or particular usage) of the Roman Rite and that there’s a universe of rich liturgical and musical heritage beyond it still waiting to be explored!
    Thanked by 2davido IanW
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 3,488
    Maybe but then you see things like the Bärenreiter Lassus use the introit tones for Magnificats and you want to ask the editor “did you even listen to the tenor of the 1567 Magnificat for 4vv? Because that part has the (modern) solemn tone inflection before the mediant [in some verses], are you deaf?” IOW there is a rich history with what we do have even if it’s not the only strand of chant, and early-music performers and scholars sometimes seem embarrassed by it.
  • tandrews
    Posts: 230
    Also missing: Alstott's tones I-III.
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