Chant research at the turn of the century and the analytical programme of Helmut Hucke
Edward Nowacki
The end of a century, like the any era, is time to take stock and lay plans. This no less true plainsong medieval music than field human endeavour. So it comes as surprise encounter in our professional literature exhortations re-envision subject contemplate its direction twenty-first century. Richard Crocker has been particularly cogent recommending abandonment lost causes adoption new or neglected research methods. 1 attempt read oldest melodic texts plainchant trace sumptuous oral tradition that preceded them, however tantalizing, ultimately unsatisfying his view, perhaps even vain. In place he urges us cultivate critical, evaluative understanding chants composed era musical notation, is, authoritative compositions when they were copied rather witnesses an obsolescent tradition. Putting this advice into practice would require more listening, performing remembering are speculation about how got way.
Plainsong & Medieval Music