The previous articles in this series discussed the texts and melodies of the Mass Propers. This article concerns the technical elements of the melodies, which are wrapped up in a concept called modality. N.B.: in the process of writing this article, the author came across a detailed article on a similar topic, written by AngelaContinue reading “The Propers, Part 3—The Modes and the Gregorian Psalm Tones”
Tag Archives: Propers
The Propers, Part 2—The Sense of the Melodies
The previous article in this series discussed the texts of the Propers. While very important, the texts are only one half of the package. The present article will discuss the other half of the package: the melodies, specifically the historic Gregorian chants to which the Propers are sung in the Western Church. The Propers asContinue reading “The Propers, Part 2—The Sense of the Melodies”
The Propers, Part 1—The Sense of the Texts
The Propers (that is, the Introit, Gradual, Tract, Alleluia, Sequence, Offertory, and Communion) are an integral part of the Divine Service. More than any other part of the liturgy, they give shape and life to the rhythm of the liturgical year. Unfortunately, the Propers frequently are misunderstood textually, musically, and liturgically. This series of articlesContinue reading “The Propers, Part 1—The Sense of the Texts”
The Lutheran Missal 