Speaking of Plainsong in the Middle Ages
Christopher Page
Apparently the Middle Ages did not produce much music criticism. It could scarcely be otherwise if, as has been claimed, criticism an institution, meaning ‘a specific discursive medium characterized by controlled exercise of authority and judgment’ history reaching back to eighteenth century’ seemingly no further. Consider substantial repertoire Gregorian chant, once employed throughout Latin West, plainsong that is principally evoked in title this chapter. The monks, friars, nuns clerics who sang liturgy were required perform any sense word recognisable from many later periods musical history, even when they cantors assigned solo chants. Those standing near them choirstalls heard sing, but we may suppose exactly listen for time; was designed promote concentration upon art autonomous sound. Even if a particular chant drew ear someone present, it surely difficult bring varied discernment bear material which pope, inspired Holy Spirit, believed responsible.
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