On Gregorian Orality
Kenneth Levy
The study considers various means of approach to the Gregorian melos during its oral transmission, before conversion neumes. Among these are intuitive analysis, based on Carolingian received text; analogy with Balkan epic ("Homer and Gregory"); "multiples" or parallel readings. An by way a rare case "close multiples" is explored in depth. Gallo-Gregorian Offertory Elegerunt apostoli survives readings that close their musical substance but may be independent neumation. It suggests later stage this particular chant, perhaps good deal cognate "idiomelic" repertory as well, had become melodically stable memorized, was no longer freely improvised. There have been common-sense reasons for supposing this, nothing else takes it so near proof.
Journal of the American Musicological Society