Interlacing Traditions: Neo Gregorian Mass Propers in Beneventan Manuscripts by Luisa Nardini
James Vincent Maiello
Reviewed by: Interlacing Traditions: Neo Gregorian Mass Propers in Beneventan Manuscripts by Luisa Nardini James Vincent Maiello Manuscripts. By Nardini. (Studies and Texts, 205; Monumenta Liturgica Beneventana, 8.) Toronto: Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies, 2016. [xiv, 444 p. ISBN: 978-0-888-44205-5. $100 (hdk)] Southern Italy was one the liveliest cultural intersections medieval world, a phenomenon borne out arts, architecture, literature, liturgy region. The former Duchy Benevento, for example, incubated [End Page 315] most complex musico-liturgical traditions West, pluralistic mélange archaic, Byzantine, elements, as well newly composed chants 'neo-Gregorian' style. Traditions focuses on this neo-Gregorian repertory, examining its origins, nature, diffusion. first part book addresses various contexts which chant existed, beginning with an overview local ecclesiastical archives traditions. After acknowledging dominant role Benedictine abbeys played south Italian Church archival practices, offers compact literature review that is at vanguard scholarly tradition dating back to seventeenth century. Her critical assessment scholarship provides model using such sources effectively. An modern follows, useful introduction confirms present study necessary welcome addition field. Next, surveys historical liturgical developed before coexisted after arrival 'Gregorian' repertory. She profiles rich pre-Gregorian repertory southern Italy, addressing Lombard, Roman influences, shows how manuscripts continue bear witness nature processes development. These same reveal also musicians refused abandon their completely Carolingians standardised music across Europe they supplemented new blended both these interacted, providing contextual framework understanding detailed rest book. Chapter 2 institutions locations where produced reception beyond. demonstrates methodology proposing origins specific items based historical, cultic, philological evidence tracing spread movements clergy diffusion saints' cults. factors like pilgrimages, monastic movement, interrelationships between secular sacred orbits bore creation transmission For Dirige me second Sunday Lent serves case suggest Benevento not isolated culturally ninth tenth centuries has been previously argued dovetailed other repertories. bulk chapter treats detail. Beginning repertory's epicenter, turn cultic cathedral, are manifested sources. Although abbey Montecassino loomed large over region, Cassinese show high degree standardisation relatively few non-standard items; true centers within orbit shared close affinity Montecassino. Nardini's brief discussion outside particularly insightful connecting manuscript reality people place. In 3, traces circulation assesses occurrence methodological overview, she examines manuscript's structure, function, date, origin affect number source, context additional data determining origin. Graduals, usually contain items, because their...
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