Review: Interlacing Traditions: Neo-Gregorian Chant Propers in Beneventan Manuscripts, by Luisa Nardini
Bibiana Carmela Pia Vergine
Interlacing Traditions: Neo-Gregorian Chant Propers in Beneventan Manuscripts , by Luisa Nardini. Monumenta liturgica beneventana 8. Toronto: Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, 2016. xv, 444 pp.

Neo-Gregorian chant as a distinct repertory has not yet received systematic musicological analysis, which makes Traditions seminal study the field. As Nardini points out her book, this scholarly lacuna is due part to fact that there still disagreement both on terminology used name and identify repertory, also been called “neo-Beneventan” “chant romain-beneventain,” its geographical origins. strong case for use term “neo-Gregorian,” grounds it “implies formal, stylistic, liturgical kinship with Gregorian chant” (p. 9) frees from boundary southern Italy, inviting future studies neo-Gregorian other regions. In chants were local cantors’ response need supply new feasts music, they newly composed, hagiographical, scriptural texts musical settings blended old new, nonlocal, styles. For reason, introduction, chant, particular fertile ground music within an exceptionally rich cultural context.

The title book reflects was direct result mixture or “interlacing” traditions occurred when different cultures combined. Faithful nature performs …
Journal of the American Musicological Society