what is an antiphon in chant

An antiphon (Greek ἀντίφωνον, ἀντί "opposite" and φωνή "voice") is a short chant in Christian ritual, sung as a refrain. The texts of antiphons are the Psalms. Their form was favored by St Ambrose and they feature prominently in Ambrosian chant, but they are used widely in Gregorian chant as well.

Full Answer

What is an antiphon in the Bible?

Mar 07, 2022 · An antiphon (Greek ?ντίφωνον, ?ντί “opposite” and φωνή “voice”) is a short chant in Christian ritual, sung as a refrain. The texts of antiphons are the Psalms. Antiphonal music is that performed by two choirs in interaction, often singing alternate musical phrases.

What is antiphonal music?

What is an antiphon in chant? An antiphon (Greek ?ντίφωνον, ?ντί "opposite" and φωνή "voice") is a short chant in Christian ritual, sung as a refrain. The texts of antiphons are the Psalms. Antiphonal music is that performed by two choirs in interaction, often singing alternate musical phrases. Click to see full answer.

What is the difference between psalm tones and antiphons?

The short answer is that an antiphon is another psalm that is selected for that specific day to go along with the readings for the Mass of the day. It is a tool, given to us in sacred scripture, that helps us to better understand the readings for that Mass.

What are the Greater Advent Antiphons?

An antiphon is a short chant/song that’s performed at a Christian church service. The antiphon form is part of the Psalms and was favored by St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, and an important ecclesiastical figure of the 4th century. He is credited with promoting the antiphonal chant.

What is the communion antiphon?

The chant (a psalm, hymn, or antiphon) that was historically sung by a soloist, the choir, or the congregation during the Communion of the priest and the faithful in the Roman Mass. In the Roman liturgy this chant is called the Communion antiphon (antiphona ad communionem ) or simply the Communion.

What is an antiphonal response?

antiphonal singing, alternate singing by two choirs or singers. Antiphonal singing is of great antiquity and occurs in the folk and liturgical music of many cultures.

What is the entrance antiphon?

The Introit (from Latin: introitus, "entrance") is part of the opening of the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist for many Christian denominations. In its most complete version, it consists of an antiphon, psalm verse and Gloria Patri, which are spoken or sung at the beginning of the celebration.

When should the communion antiphon be said?

Beginning with Advent and Christmas, a Communion antiphon is provided for each Sunday, Solemnity and Feast. As the priest and Eucharistic ministers receive communion, before general distribution, engage your choir in singing these beautiful settings of the Roman Missal texts.

What is an example of antiphon?

Antiphonal music is that performed by two choirs in interaction, often singing alternate musical phrases. Antiphonal psalmody is the singing or musical playing of psalms by alternating groups of performers. The term “antiphony” can also refer to a choir-book containing antiphons.

Where do the antiphons come from?

Origin. The antiphon texts are believed to have originated in Italy in or before the sixth century.

What is a Catholic antiphon?

antiphon, in Roman Catholic liturgical music, chant melody and text sung before and after a psalm verse, originally by alternating choirs (antiphonal singing).

What does Introit mean in music?

Definition of introit 1 often capitalized : the first part of the traditional proper of the Mass consisting of an antiphon, verse from a psalm, and the Gloria Patri. 2 : a piece of music sung or played at the beginning of a worship service.

What is it called when priests chant?

Gregorian chant is sung in the Office during the canonical hours and in the liturgy of the Mass. Texts known as accentus are intoned by bishops, priests, and deacons, mostly on a single reciting tone with simple melodic formulae at certain places in each sentence.

What is an antiphon?

An antiphon ( Greek ἀντίφωνον, ἀντί "opposite" and φωνή "voice") is a short chant in Christian ritual, sung as a refrain. The texts of antiphons are the Psalms. Their form was favored by St Ambrose and they feature prominently in Ambrosian chant, but they are used widely in Gregorian chant as well.

What is antiphonal music?

Antiphonal music is that performed by two choirs in interaction, often singing alternate musical phrases. Antiphonal psalmody is the singing or musical playing of psalms by alternating groups of performers. The term “antiphony” can also refer to a choir-book containing antiphons.

What are the antiphons of the Magnificat?

The Greater Advent or O Antiphons are antiphons used at daily prayer in the evenings of the last days of Advent in various liturgical Christian traditions. Each antiphon is a name of Christ, one of his attributes mentioned in Scripture. In the Roman Catholic tradition, they are sung or recited at Vespers from December 17 to December 23. In the Church of England they have traditionally been used as antiphons to the Magnificat at Evening Prayer. More recently they have found a place in primary liturgical documents throughout the Anglican Communion, including the Church of England 's Common Worship liturgy. Use of the O Antiphons was preserved in Lutheranism at the German Reformation, and they continue to be sung in Lutheran churches.

Where did the chant originate?

Origins. The chant of early Christianity through to the end of the 5th century had its root in the Synagogue, from whence early Christians borrowed the traditions of the chanting of psalms, singing of hymns and cantillation. There is some evidence from Acts of the Apostles that early Christians stayed close to contemporary Jewish traditions, ...

What is the name of the music that two or more singers sing in?

When two or more groups of singers sing in alternation, the style of music can also be called polychoral. Specifically, this term is usually applied to music of the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. Polychoral techniques are a definitive characteristic of the music of the Venetian school, exemplified by the works of Giovanni Gabrieli: this music is often known as the Venetian polychoral style. The Venetian polychoral style was an important innovation of the late Renaissance. This style, with its variations as it spread across Europe after 1600, helped to define the beginning of the Baroque era. Polychoral music was not limited to Italy in the Renaissance; it was also popular in France with Marc-Antoine Charpentier (37 settings H.16-H.52), in Spain and Germany. There are examples from the 19th and 20th centuries, from composers as diverse as Hector Berlioz, Igor Stravinsky, Béla Bartók, and Karlheinz Stockhausen.

When did antiphons start?

Polyphonic Marian antiphons emerged in England in the 14th century as settings of texts honouring the Virgin Mary, which were sung separately from the mass and office, often after Compline. Towards the end of the 15th century, English composers produced expanded settings up to nine parts, with increasing complexity and vocal range. The largest collection of such antiphons is the late-15th-century Eton Choirbook. As a result, antiphony remains particularly common in the Anglican musical tradition: the singers often face each other, placed in the quire's Decani and Cantoris.

What is the Venetian polychoral style?

Polychoral techniques are a definitive characteristic of the music of the Venetian school, exemplified by the works of Giovanni Gabrieli: this music is often known as the Venetian polychoral style. The Venetian polychoral style was an important innovation of the late Renaissance.

What is an antiphon?

An antiphon consists of one or more psalm verses or some other part of a religious service, such as Vespers or Mass, alternating with verses which contain the fundamental thought of the passage. An antiphon is often sung in Gregorian chant. The word is of Greek origin, αντί (opposite) + φωνη (sound). Antiphon can also be used outside of a strict musical or liturgical context to mean a more general response. When used in this way the word often maintains its religious connotation .

What is the antiphonal music?

In modern Orthodox practice, one choir or set of chanters may sing all the parts alone, but where there are two choirs or chanters alternating such hymns, the music is said to be antiphonal. The Byzantine churches tend to perform music in an antiphonal fashion more often than the Slavic. The first three hymns of the Divine Liturgy are referred to as the antiphons.

Overview

Origins

Polyphonic votive antiphons

Greater Advent antiphons

Polychoral antiphony

See also

External links