Gregorian Chant and the Romans
Kenneth Levy
Abstract A central problem in plainchant studies has been the relationship between two “Roman” repertories, “Old Roman” (ROM) and “Gregorian” (GREG). Many attempts have made to penetrate “mystérieuse alchimie” that links them. Almost without exception, these embraced notion ROM music was supplier of GREG. This paper advances an alternative hypothesis. It recognizes initial transfers musical material Franks under Pippin III (before 768)—ROM generally improvisational process style. However, still or later Charlemagne, rejected and, their effort establish GREG, turned familiar Gallican chants, which tended fixed, memorable melodies. Later, perhaps during tenth century renovatio imperii Otto I, though even Charlemagne's reign, authorized GREG repertory reached Rome, where it supposed supplant local ROM. But Roman musicians resisted; rather than abandon ROM, they compromised by accepting certain portions remodeling them so conformed with sequence events would explain relationships
Journal of the American Musicological Society