Gregorian Chant Guidelines (For Extra-Credit)
Gregorian Chant
Contrary to the popular myth that Gregorian chant was the direct compositional work of Pope Gregory, the seminal event that led to the repertory of Gregorian chant was the visit of Pope Stephen II to Paris in 754. The papal liturgies made a profound impression on King Pepin of the Franks who subsequently ordered Roman chant to be sung in the Frankish kingdom. This effort was continued by his son Charlemagne, cantors were brought from Rome to teach chant to the Franks, and Frankish cantors were also sent to Rome to learn the chant. The Franks made two major contributions to the body of chant: they fitted the chants into the ancient Greek system of eight modes (the octoechos), and also invented notation, using neumes to show the shape of a remembered melody. Gregorian chant continued to develop and be reformed in its usage down to the 20th Century, where it began to fall into disuse following the Vatican II Council.
After full-heartedly adopting the chant of the Church of Rome as the sung form of the Mass and the Offices, the first major contributions of the Franks the development of Gregorian chant was fitting the chants into the ancient Greek system of eight modes (the octoechos), which were used in Byzantine chant. Each mode was characterized by a tonic note and a dominant note, which made their tonality distinctive. In a few cases, a chant had to be modified to fit into this new pattern. In addition to the early formalization of the structure of Gregorian chant into eight modes. The Franks also invented notation, using neumes to show the shape of a remembered melody. But the neumes were useless if the melody they represented was not already known.
By 900 the Franks had added neumes to complete Graduals. The early systems of neumes varied from one part of the kingdom to another. The neumes written in different monasteries were quite different, though they conveyed the same information. In the following century the neumes in new manuscripts were “heightened,” conveying a fairly clear idea of the melodies. Later a line, or two lines, were drawn to identify the notes C and F. Finally, in the eleventh century, a new system of notation on a four-line staff became universal. While these manuscripts show the melodies (by this time forgotten) clearly, they have lost the nuances of rhythm that the first neumes had conveyed.
In addition to composing chants for new feasts, the Franks also developed new classes of chants. The Ordinary chants were no longer sung by the people, so many new and more elaborate chants could be composed for the choir. The Credo was not sung in Rome at all until, under Frankish influence, it was added to the Roman Mass in the eleventh century. Additionally, the Franks composed a great number of new hymns, including several hymns for each saint’s Office. Sequences were added to most Masses after the alleluia verse. Tropes, or explanatory phrases, were added to every ordinary and proper part of the Mass.
SOURCE
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Charles Martel (cont.)
Early Life:
Born on August 23, 686, Charles Martel was the son of Pippin the Middle and his mistress Alpaida. The mayor of the palace to the king of the Franks, Pippin essentially ruled the country in his place. Shortly before his death in 714, Pippin's wife, Plectrude convinced him to disinherit his bastard children in favor of his eight-year old grandson Theudoald. This move angered the Frankish nobility and following Pippin's death, Plectrude had Charles imprisoned to prevent him from becoming a rallying point for their discontent.
Personal Life:
Charles Martel first married Rotrude of Treves with whom he had five children before her death in 724. These were Hiltrud, Carloman, Landrade, Auda, and Pippin the Younger. Following Rotrude's death, Charles married Swanhild, with whom he had a son Grifo. In addition to his two wives, Charles had an ongoing affair with his mistress, Ruodhaid. Their relationship produced four children, Bernard, Hieronymus, Remigius, and Ian.
Rise to Power:
By the end of 715, Charles had escaped from captivity and found support among the Austrasians. Over the next three years, Charles conducted a civil war that culminated in the Battle of Soissons against King Chilperic and the Duke of Aquitaine, Odo the Great. Victorious, Charles was able to gain recognition for his titles as mayor of the palace and duke and prince of the Franks. Over the next five years he consolidated power as well as conquered Bavaria and Alemmania. With the Frankish lands secured, Charles next began to prepare for an anticipated attack from the Muslim Umayyads to the south.
Battle of Tours:
In 721, the Umayyads first came north and were defeated by Odo at the Battle of Toulouse. Having assessed the situation in Iberia and the Umayyad attack on Aquitaine, Charles came to believe that a professional army, rather than raw conscripts, was needed to defend the realm from invasion. To raise the money necessary to build and train an army that could withstand the Muslim horsemen, Charles began seizing Church lands, earning the ire of the religious community. In 732, the Umayyads moved north again led by Emir Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi. Commanding approximately 80,000 men, he plundered Aquitaine.
As Abdul Rahman sacked Aquitaine, Odo fled north to seek aid from Charles. This was granted in exchange for Odo recognizing Charles as his overlord. Mobilizing his army, Charles moved to intercept the Umayyads. In order to avoid detection and allow Charles to select the battlefield, the approximately 30,000 Frankish troops moved over secondary roads toward the town of Tours. For the battle, Charles selected a high, wooded plain which would force the Umayyad cavalry to charge uphill. Forming a large square, his men surprised Abdul Rahman, forcing the Umayyad emir to pause for a week to consider his options.
On the seventh day, after gathering all of his forces, Abdul Rahman attacked with his Berber and Arab cavalry. In one of the few instances where medieval infantry stood up to cavalry, Charles' troops defeated repeated Umayyad attacks. As the battle waged, the Umayyads finally broke through the Frankish lines and attempted to kill Charles. He was promptly surrounded by his personal guard who repulsed the attack. As this was occurring, scouts that Charles had sent out earlier were infiltrating the Umayyad camp and freeing prisoners.
Believing that the plunder of the campaign was being stolen, a large part of the Umayyad army broke off the battle and raced to protect their camp. While attempting to stop the apparent retreat, Abdul Rahman was surrounded and killed by Frankish troops. Briefly pursued by the Franks, the Umayyad withdrawal turned into a full retreat. Charles reformed his troops expecting another attack, but to his surprise it never came as the Umayyads continued their retreat all the way to Iberia. Charles' victory at the Battle of Tours saved Western Europe from the Muslim invasions and was a turning point in European history.
Later Life:
After spending the next three years securing his eastern borders, Charles moved south to fend off an Umayyad invasion in Provence. In 736, he led a successful campaign that expelled the Umayyads from the region and for the first time integrated heavy cavalry into his formations. From 737, until his death in 741, Charles focused on the administration of his realm and expanding his influence. When he died on October 22, 741, his lands were divided between his sons Carloman and Pippin the Younger. The latter would father the next great Carolingian leader, Charlemagne.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
The Christian Call to Prayer
In some primarily Catholic, Anglican, or Lutheran countries the Angelus Bells are rung three times a day to call Christians to pray (at six in the morning, noon, and six in the evening). In particular, these bells are intended to focus our minds on the mystery of the incarnation. In Ireland, television stations pause every evening at 6 to allow Christians a moment to pray. Here's an example of that break. Consider taking a moment each day to do likewise.
Monday, October 21, 2013
"The Life of Muhammad” by Ibn Ishaq
For those of you who would like to read ahead. Here's the biography of Muhammad we'll be reading in the coming weeks.
"The Life of Muhammad” by Ibn Ishaq
"The Life of Muhammad” by Ibn Ishaq
Conversion of Clovis
If you have time, please read the following chapters from Gregory of Tour's History of the Franks
Class Note
Please note, we will be daubing our walls in class this week. Please bring a change of work clothing, as the process can get quite messy. Also, students may wish to wear gardening or rubber gloves during the process. Feel free to bring gloves, if you would prefer to keep your hands clean.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Documentary Guidelines
1. Ten minutes long
2. 1-2 Fictional characters with speaking roles
3. 2-3 Non-fictional characters with speaking roles
4. Include Sound-effects and Music
5. Historically accurate
6. Should include a narrator
7. Submitted via email or cd in .wav format.
8. Use only music and sound that are copyright free!
9. Focuses on the regions and periods discussed in the first semester.
10. Each episode should include a clear plot arc.
Free Recording Software: Audacity
Free Sound Effects: Freesound
Free Music: ClassicalCat
To get an idea of how this should sound, check out Adventures in Odyssey.
Your Documentary Proposal should include the following information:
1. Time period and location
2. Character list
3. A paragraph description of the plot arc
2. 1-2 Fictional characters with speaking roles
3. 2-3 Non-fictional characters with speaking roles
4. Include Sound-effects and Music
5. Historically accurate
6. Should include a narrator
7. Submitted via email or cd in .wav format.
8. Use only music and sound that are copyright free!
9. Focuses on the regions and periods discussed in the first semester.
10. Each episode should include a clear plot arc.
Free Recording Software: Audacity
Free Sound Effects: Freesound
Free Music: ClassicalCat
To get an idea of how this should sound, check out Adventures in Odyssey.
Your Documentary Proposal should include the following information:
1. Time period and location
2. Character list
3. A paragraph description of the plot arc
Old Roman Chant
-
- Dominus dixit ad me:
- Filius meus es tu,
- ego hodie genui te.
- Quare fremuerunt gentes:
- et populi meditati sunt inania?
- Gloria Patri.
- The Lord hath said to me:
- Thou art My Son,
- this day have I begotten Thee.
- Why have the Gentiles raged,
- and the people devised vain things?
- Glory be to the Father.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Ambrosian Chant (c. 5th century AD)
Ambrosian Chant
With Thee is the principality
in the day of Thy strength:
in the brightness of the Saints,
from the womb before the morning star I begot Thee.
The Lord said to my Lord:
Sit Thou at My right hand,
until I make Thy enemies Thy footstool.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Friday, October 4, 2013
Early Byzantine Chant
from the Service of the Three Youths in the Fiery Furnace
The Three Youths
Constantine and the Council of Nicea (325 AD)
Constantine the Great
Constantine and the Early Church
Monday, September 30, 2013
Book Report Guidelines
Book Report Guidelines for 'Lost to the West'
12-point, Times New Roman font, double-spaced, title in bold, 5 integrated quotes from the text, 1 quote from an outside source, and footnotes.
Word Count: min. 750 max. 1500.
Your report must accomplish the following tasks:
1. Provide background on the author
2. Explain how the book was received.
3. Identify the central purpose of the book
4. Identify the author’s thesis (or theses)
5. Describe how the book is organized
6. Summarize the events described in the book
7. Identify your perspective on the book
8. Explain your perspective.
9. Evaluate the importance of the book.
10. Explain how this book changed your opinion or understanding of the topic
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Devotional
This is not an assignment, however, while posting the current readings to the blog I was reminded of a beautiful prayer written originally on the occasion of St. Augustine's baptism in 387. In that prayer, the author describes the 'noble army of martyrs' praising God together with the Apostles and Prophets. It is a beautiful vision of the joys of a reunion in Heaven, written at a time in which many Christians were living with the absence of beloved family members and friends.
If you have time this week, please consider reading the Te Deum prayer and listening to the Arvo Part setting, that I have included here, during your devotional time.
If you have time this week, please consider reading the Te Deum prayer and listening to the Arvo Part setting, that I have included here, during your devotional time.
Te Deum laudamus.
WE praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud; the Heavens, and all the Powers therein;
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee;
The Father of an infinite Majesty;
Thine adorable, true and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost the Comforter.
THOU art the King of Glory, O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, thou didst humble thyself to be born of a Virgin.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints, in glory everlasting.
O LORD, save thy people, and bless thine heritage.
Govern them and lift them up for ever.
Day by day we magnify thee;
And we worship thy Name ever, world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy be upon us, as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted; let me never be confounded.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
The Oxyrhynchus Hymn
Let it be silent
Let the Luminous stars
not shine,
Let the winds and all the noisy rivers die down;
And as we hymn the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Let all the powers add "Amen Amen"
Empire, praise always, and glory to God,
The sole giver of
good things,
Amen Amen
Thursday, September 19, 2013
2nd Epistle of St. Clement
Ancient references to Clement.
Ancient references to the epistle.
The sermon itself: 2nd Epistle of St. Clement.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
The Way and Judaism
Hello Rhetoric II students! Welcome back! This term we will be following the same procedure for the weekly blog. If you have any questions please post them in the comments section below. There are two online readings this week. Enjoy!
Read: Factions within Judaism
Read: The Jewish Diaspora
Read: Factions within Judaism
Read: The Jewish Diaspora
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