A long time ago, before amps and guitars, before vinyl records, even before modern musical notation, there was music. What we know about ancient music is limited however, simply because no one knew how to write down or record their music until roughly 900 A.D. Even then, the only thing people knew how to use were simple notations without bar, signature, and sometimes staff, called [url=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d1/Neume2.jpg/800px-Neume2.jpg]Neums.[/url] We can give thanks to this technology almost completely to the Catholic church, which sought to unify its clerical chants across the Roman Empire, and later, all of Europe. Gregorian Chant, the official music of Catholicism, is named after Pope Gregory I (509-604 A.D.), who is responsible for implementing the sung Office and the sung Mass into monasteries across the west. It is because of this and the traditional Catholic Church that we have so many surviving pieces of ancient choral music. Not only are these pieces of music historical, they have a beauty so unique, so calming, so otherworldly, I'd like to take this time to introduce you to one of the oddest things you can listen to in your spare time.
[url=http://filesmelt.com/dl/01_-_Anon-_Puer_Natus_Est_Nobis.aac]Puer Natus Est Nobis.[/url]
[I]This piece of music is the oldest "Christmas" tune you'll probably ever hear. The first part is Isaiah 9:6, and the second is based on Psalm 97:1.[/I]
What makes the Gregorian Chants sound so otherworldly? Well, other than being sung in Latin (the creepiest sounding language in existence), one must remember the setting monks sang in. I shouldn't have to explain to you how unbelievably large some cathedrals are, but remember also that many of them were build mostly or entirely out of stone. Have you ever been in a cave and heard an echo of yourself? Imagine yourself in the biggest cave you can think of, and you are getting close to the acoustics that cathedrals had. While cloisters and monasteries were of course much smaller, the reverberation factor still existed, and monks used this to its full potential.
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/Cathedrale-saint-etienne-metz-de-place-prefecture.jpg/800px-Cathedrale-saint-etienne-metz-de-place-prefecture.jpg[/img]
[I]Cathedral of Saint Étienne in France. Built 1220 to 1520.[/I]
The other factor in Chants you have to consider is that modern harmony was not mapped until the Renaissance period (1500 A.D.) Instead, the church wrote notation based on ancient musical scales called Modes. Whereas today you have keys such as C Major, G minor, F, etc, Modes all had separate names such as Intriot, and Antiphon. Some modes were strikingly different from harmonic scales, some where one, or even two notes completely off of what we consider to be harmonic. Another factor you have to consider is that chants do not have bars, or measures of beat. In fact, if you listen closely, there is no tempo to chants at all.
[url=http://filesmelt.com/dl/03_-_Anon-_Christus_Factus_Est_Pro_Nobis.aac]Christus Factus Est Pro Nobis.[/url]
[I]Based on St. Paul's letter to the Philippians, Ch. 2, 8-9. A glorification of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.[/I]
Of course, as culture, art, and language grew, so did Gregorian Chants. The first step forward was of course the addition polyphony, or two notes playing together. This would become the basis of modern harmony. Bells have been used in churches for as long as they were around, but it was symbolic and not musical in meaning until almost 1600 A.D. when bells were first used in masses together with the chorus. The Organ however goes back much further, being used as the bass or drone of many chants. The organ is almost as symbolic of the catholic church as chants themselves.
[url=http://filesmelt.com/dl/50_-_Track_50.aac]Hildegard of Bingen: O Successores.[/url]
[I]Since most all chants were written anonymously, to be able to credit this work to anyone, much less a woman, is remarkably rare. I am unsure of the verses this is taken from, but I know it is a declaration of holiness for those who have repented.[/I]
For many people, the Catholic church is an organization to be ridiculed and scorned. They are responsible for many tragedies that occurred during the dark and middle ages, even on into the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Indeed, whole wars and kingdom rivalries such as England and France were caused by popes and bishops. When one listens to Gregorian Chants, you can understand why peasants who listened to these chants would be enchanted but also fearful; chants were tools of the church to show the power of God and instill a fear and reverence of the salvation offered to them. Just as with the Gargoyles, Catholic priests were more likely to scare people to Christ than to extend his holy love.
[img]http://www.christvbible.com/images/Judith_Slaying_Holofernes.jpg[/img]
[I]Judith Slaying Holofernes by Gentileschi. Based on the story of the Hebrew woman Judith, this piece signified the ultimate punishment for the wages of sin.[/I]
However, I want you to look beyond the church, beyond your own religious beliefs for a moment and look at what art has come out of the Catholic church. Inspired by God or by tyrants, no one can claim these pieces of art are anything less than brilliant. Sure, you might get bored easily, and if so, Gregorian Chant is not something to put on your MP3 player. And again, much of the melody is very old and highly unrefined; many find chants to be unnerving. Yet, with a little patience and an open mind, choral music is just as important a genre as any other. If you listen, you might be surprised how much modern music has been influenced by Gregorian Chants. If you ever feel in need of reverence or meditation, chants are like a trip into the past, into a world of fear, holiness, and purity.
[url=http://filesmelt.com/dl/04_Amazing_Grace.mp3]Amazing Grace.[/url]
[I]A modern, and well known choral piece. I dare you to find a better version of this song.[/I]
Listened to this in music class. Sounds epic.. but not really music I would listen to..
It's very very cool stuff, for a while. Then the monophony gets rather dull and lifeless.
Cool
Winterfylleth are black metal with Gregorian chants... does that count? :v:
[QUOTE=Dopey Trout;25288644]Winterfylleth are black metal with Gregorian chants... does that count? :v:[/QUOTE]
No.
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