alleluya, antiphony, graduale, quadrat, notation

Christ 2
King David 5
Blasius Psaltery
alleluya

A Hebrew expression meaning 'praise the Lord!'. The archaic language was preserved because of the respect for traditions. It's an answering son (soloist and choir), it is sung before the reading of the gospel in the Catholic mass. At Easter time - to express happiness - it may be added to the end of other genres as an appendix or short exclamation. Concerning its musical characteristics it is a decorated, melismatic melody. According to St Augustine where the power of the word ends, the heart starts to sing.

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antiphony

The choir book containing the songs of the office

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graduale

1. Decorative Gregorian song following the reading in the mass. 2. The choir book containing the songs of the mass.

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quadrat

Musical notation. According to its name, the shape of notes was square in it. Its typical characteristic feature was that it separated the notes clearly, and between notes that belonged to the same group (neuma) there was just a tiny line. This type of notation had its influence on polyphonic music, too.

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notation

The musical notation of medieval codices written (or copied) by hand

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