Vocal Ensemble for Music of the Middle Ages
at the Speyer Cathedral

Background Picture
 
The background picture of the Schola Cantorum Saliensis shows an excerpt of page 116, vol. 1 of the Codex Hartker (St. Gallen 390/391). This is an Antiphonary from the 10th century. It shows a part of the Responsorium for the Feast of Candlemas (Febr. 2, see: Lucas 2.22 cont.)

The unusual signs between the lines of the text are the so called Neumes. They explain much about the articulation of the Chant, but little about the specific pitch in which it was to be sung. With the aid of other literary sources, and the Gregorian semiology the Schola Cantorum Saliensis is making an effort to present a scientifically founded version of the Gregorian Chant.

ADORNA THALAMUM TUUM SION ET SUSCIPE REGEM christum quem virgo concepit virgo perpetit post partum quem genuit adoravit.

Adorn your house, Sion, and welcome Christ, the King, who the virgin has conceived, who she has carried for full term, who she has born und adored after birth.
Accipiens simeon puerum in manibus gratias agens benedixit dominum.

When Simeon held the boy in his arms, he thanks the Lord and praised him.
Senex puerum portabat puer autem senem regebat.

The old man carried the boy, but the boy guided the old man.
Symeon iustus et umoratus exspectans redemptionem israhel et spiritus sanctus erat in eo.

When the honest Simeon in tears hoped for the redemption of Israel, the Holy Ghost was present in himself.
 

   

2019-12-27