HYMNAL AND ANTIPHONAL (Augustinian use)

£18,500 · Offered by Sokol Books

This charming manuscript, with beautifully decorated initials, comprises the selection of chants for the Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours), covering the entire duration of the liturgic year. A small and portable volume designed for personal use, it is a very unusual example containing exclusively the music and words of plainchant without any accompanying text. Divided into two section, marked by large illuminated initials, the first is a repertory of hymns, approximately arranged according to the liturgic year. There are hymns for the major hours (Vespers, Matins and Lauds) of all feast days, and hymns for little hours (prime, terce, sext and none) for major occasions. In the typical book of hymns, or hymnal , music notation was indicated only for the first strophe of each hymn, because the same melody was sung for each strophe of the text. In many cases, notation was completely absent. Exceptionally, this volume has all the strophes of each hymn melody written out in full: this uncommon feature is particularly significant considering its small format. Another interesting characteristic is that the texts of the same four hymns for the little hours ( Iam lucis orto sidere , Nunc sancta nobis spiritus , Rector potes veras deus , Te lucis ante terminum ) are copied identically for several festivities, but each time the melody changes. This allow us to appreciate that not only the text had spiritual value, but also music: certain melodies were considered appropriate for specif

• Binding: Hardcover

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