Klaus Pietschmann: Zeit und Ewigkeit

Zum liturgischen Kontext der Gradual- und Alleluia-GesŠnge im Magnus Liber Organi*

 

This article explores the liturgical character and symbolism of the Graduals and Alleluias of the Magnus Liber Organi, which were the only chants for the mass contained in that collection. Liturgical commentaries by Lothar of Segni (Pope Innocent III), Johannes Beleth, and Honorius of Autun (Augustoduriensis) reveal the special role of the Gradual and Alleluia in the liturgy of Notre Dame in Paris. Moreover, the extension of the plainsong as set in the tenor of the organum leads to a moment of ritual stasis, which reflects the timeless eternity of God as described in the eleventh book of AugustineŐs Confessions. According to this interpretation, the plainsongŐs elongation represents divine eternity and is thus an important element of anagogical semantics within medieval liturgy, analogous to the Gothic architecture of Notre Dame and other cathedrals.

 

> zurŸck zur homepage

> zurŸck zum Gesamtinhaltsverzeichnis