Toledo, Rome and the legacy of Gaul
Kenneth Levy
Between the late sixth and mid-ninth centuries lengthy process unfolded that brought substantial unity to liturgical-musical practice of Western Church. The Roman-Benedictine liturgy Gregory Great was taken England in 596–7 by Italianborn Augustine, prior Monastery St Andrew on Caelian hill. His purpose substitute Roman observance for entrenched Anglo-Saxon, Celtic Gallican rites as well pagan customs. Yet when Augustine questioned about variety Christian usages he found, pope unwilling offend local sensibilities impede Anglo-Saxons' conversion. told leave place whatever seemed desirable. During seventh early eighth an accelerating missionary activity spread through France, Germany northern Italy. wherever it arrived became similarly intermixed with material, not until mid-eighth century vigorous measures were impose a purer usage. change came ecclesiastical initiative but practical politics pious Frankish monarch. Pepin Short (714–68) sought increase throughout his domain imposing rite. He asked Stephen iii (752–7) clerics teach musical rite, Stephen's successor Paul i (757–67) sent chant books, ‘antiphonale et responsale’, presumably without notation.
Early Music History