1 Jan 1000 Jahr - 11th C. Marian antiphon: “Alma redemptoris mater” (“Loving Mother of the Redeemer”)

Beschreibung:

Thought to be written by Hermann of Reichenau (d. 1054) known as Hermannus Contractus (Herman the Cripple)

One of four Marian antiphons, plainchants associated with Mary, each of which is assigned to a season of the year

Antiphonal = two alternating choirs singing a psalm -- this is no longer practiced in the antiphons

Divides into four clear sections, last three of which have varied downward trajectory from the highest note

Written in Lydian mode, takes place entirely within the range of an octave
Manuscript for this piece states that B’s are to be sung as B flats
Leading tone appears twice, but never functions as part of a cadence

Combines all three types of text setting common in early plainchant
Opens with melisma (single syllable sung on many notes)
Occasional syllabic writing (each syllable receives a single note)
Neumatic writing (adjacent syllables receive 2-3 notes)
Plainchant moves between these three text setting styles continuously

The more important a word or syllable to a plainchant, the more notes, or the higher a pitch it might achieve
Many plainchants used melodic patterns or formulas that repeat throughout the course of the melody