Antiphon

SKU: GI.G-10314

ISBN 7851471031413. English, Latin. Text Source: Antiphons tr. Charles Thatcher, verses, The Grail, 1963.

Entrance Antiphons for the Church Year contains thirty antiphon texts from the Graduale Simplex, translated from Latin and set to newly composed music. The psalm verses appointed for these antiphons are taken from the Grail translation (1963). As with the Responsorial Psalm of the Mass, the assembly sings the antiphon after its intonation by the cantor/choir, repeating it after each verse of the psalm. The number of psalm verses which are sung may vary according to need. The singing of the doxology, Glory to the Father, while recommended, is optional. In several cases (e.g., Christmas and Easter), the assembly sings a refrain—a simple acclamation in Latin—and the actual antiphon text is sung by the cantor/choir. The antiphon functions as a first and final verse. It is thought that liturgical singing in the early Church consisted in part of such short acclamatory phrases. Many of the antiphons in this collection are proper to a specific Sunday, solemnity, or feast. The rest are seasonal in nature and, like the common Responsorial Psalms of the Lectionary, may be chosen according to what seems best for the occasion. The antiphons of Christmas Day and Easter Sunday could be used at daily Masses during their octaves. Notations in the scores of some antiphons suggest alternate occasions when they are appropriate. Regarding performance, these compositions were conceived with flexibility in mind. Assembly participation and instrumental accompaniment are assumed. SATB choral singing is effective, but not necessary. Discrete use of descants where provided can lend an air of festivity. Psalm verses might be sung by an entire choir, by a small group or cantor, or a combination of both.

SKU: ST.EC54

ISBN 9790220222023.

This is an important addition to the pair of consecutive EECM volumes of John Sheppard's Latin compositions for the Use of Salisbury published in the 1970s. Although he had evidently mastered the forms of Mass and votive antiphon, the composer is at his most characteristic in his settings of the plainsong melodies which form the bedrock of the Sarum liturgy. These account for most of the contents of this volume, together with free-composed settings of Biblical texts and a small corpus of devotional polyphony, most of it fragmentary. In general, textural richness is cultivated in preference to long arcs of melisma, and perfect time is favoured over imperfect, creating a directness of expression that seems to typify mid-Tudor polyphony. The format of this volume follows EECM's house style for post-Reformation composers.

SKU: CA.2103311

ISBN 9790007247621. Latin.

In the extensive Å“uvre of French composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier, the Marian Antiphons take pride of place among the smaller sacred works. He devoted himself to them for almost 25 years while working in the Italian-influenced circle of the Duchess Marie de Lorraine (known as Mademoiselle de Guise) and later in the service of the Paris Jesuits. This volume contains settings of the Salve Regina and the Ave Regina caelorum for two sopranos, mezzo-soprano, and basso continuo.

SKU: CA.2103300

ISBN 9790007247591. Latin.

In the extensive Å“uvre of French composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier, the Marian Antiphons take pride of place among the smaller sacred works. He devoted himself to them for almost 25 years while working in the Italian-influenced circle of the Duchess Marie de Lorraine (known as Mademoiselle de Guise) and later in the service of the Paris Jesuits. This volume contains settings of the Salve Regina and the Ave Regina caelorum for two sopranos, mezzo-soprano, and basso continuo.