Western Plainchant: A Handbook by David Hiley
Joan Halmo
624BOOK REVIEWS Western Plainchant: A Handbook. By David Hiley. (New York: Clarendon Press, Oxford University Press. 1993. Pp. xcvii, 661; 25 illustrations [19 plates, 6 maps, 1 diagram]; 38 tables; 205 musical examples; 3 indices.»75.00.) In this important study, Hiley arranges a vast array of material into eleven chapters. Chapter provides the details necessary to understand structure ofthe major liturgical services, Church's calendar, and some special aspects Christian worship. The next chapter describes differentiates among principal genres ofchant, their forms styles, place in complex scheme ofworship Roman rite; gives an overview books themselves. first third chapters particular, with up-to-date perspective, will be assistance musicologists others who work manuscripts chants they contain, but may not have had opportunity take systematic training liturgy. second chapter, by examining documenting thoroughly many kinds pieces within chant repertoire, serves as kind encyclopedic catalogue : over 240 pages long, section is itself valuable resource for standard medieval repertoire Mass Office, well other such drama Latin songs. examines matter notation, its origins, evolution various families used ofWestern Europe. He careful attention controversial issue rhythmic elements elaborates on notational systems, from those given theoretical treatises Middle Ages that printed chant-books fifteenth century onward. discussion supplemented fine plates which demonstrate diversity notation different regions periods development. group focuses particularly historical dimensions 5, reviews writings apply chant, especially regard how related Greek system ofpitch modality. sketches surrounding emergence up earliest recorded sources eighth century, 7 recounts stages establishment Frankish kingdom during Carolingian period. comparative survey repertoires occupies 8, richly informative vignettes called "Persons Places" comprises 9. final two provide synopsis evaluation numerous attempts at reform ofchant centuries restoration modern times. examples volume are transcribed onto five-line staves; music nuanced commentary throughout Hiley's text. great asset reader manuscript BOOK REVIEWS625 taken precisely identified (not all publications past named sources). book reflects breadth scholarly activity study decades, both varied author's own research, also his recognition scholars countries. includes exhaustive bibliography consisting usual published items along unpublished studies, dissertations. Subsequently, work, lists often alludes relevant each specific topic, so genuinely fulfills function handbook providing direct, accessible reference information subject primary secondary sources. As such, bookwill ofinterest new long experience chant. Another salient welcome characteristic contextualization music: treated only phenomenon, seen relationship liturgy, cultural setting (and studies previously made excellent contribution field). For instance, attractive—and deceptively simple— 9...
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