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Roman Rites

Audio

Gradual

Italy, Florence, 1392-1399

MS M.653 no. 5 (I.15)

Transcription

John Bidwell:

The musical notation in these two gradual leaves is based on a system traditionally ascribed to the eleventh-century Benedictine monk Guido of Arezzo. Changes in pitch and duration are indicated by the square-shaped notes, called neumes, placed on a four-line staff. The topmost line begins with an f-clef indicating the location of fa in the do-re-mi scale, also thought to have been devised by Guido of Arezzo. Here is the introit for Epiphany sung by the Edmundite Novices.