Building a Church with Music: The Plainchant Capitals at Cluny, c. 1100
Sébastien Biay
One cannot see the eight capitals of former abbey church at Cluny without being struck by theme music, witch appears on two whose inscriptions enumerate tones or modes Gregorian chants. This pair capitals, which has its own historiographs, takes pride place in literature hemicyclecapitals as a group, and for good reason.The capital depict secular musicians playing instruments, are out sacred setting. While we do not expect art reflect practice, nevertheless inextricably linked with particular practice: that liturgy and, monastic setting, necessity singing it. How can excplain representation instrumentalists musical context allowed song? In first this essay, author will analyze inscription order understand why verb to sing is absent, even though these texts describe immanent transcendent realities govern singers chant. second part, he shall how forms, gestures positions musicians, previously interpreted an allegory modal system, illustrate aspects liturgical chant practice experience. He draw comparisons manuscripts illumination show expresses interior praparation human spirit mind act performance. Only such preparation music become catalyst redemption, third musician demonstrates vividly his stance distinctive features intrument holds.
Studies in the visual cultures of the Middle Ages