Julian of Speyer
Encyclopedia
Julian of Speyer also known as Julian of Spires and Latinized Julianus Teutonicus, was a German
Franciscan
composer, poet, and historian of the thirteenth century.
Born in Speyer
, Julian studied at the University of Paris
and was the musical director for the royal chapel during the reigns of Philip Augustus and Louis VIII of France
. Eventually, he left to become a member of the newly founded Order of St Francis
, but exactly when is not known.
In 1227, Julian accompanied Brother Simon Angelicus to Germany, when he was made Provincial of Germany by the General Chapter of Assisi. It is probable that he was present at the translation of St. Francis
at Assisi
in May 1230. Afterwards, he lived in Paris
again at the great convent of the Minorites, where he was choir-master as well as corrector mensae (who oversees the reading in the refectory
).
Although in the Middle Ages, Julian of Speyer was held in high respect as a composer and writer of rhymed offices, he was almost forgotten until the end of the nineteenth century. It is certain that he composed the rhymed Office (historia) of St. Francis of Assisi (written between February 23, 1229, and October 4, 1235), as well as that of St. Anthony of Padua
, who was canonized on May 30, 1232 (composed just after 1241).
Both these musical, as well as poetical, masterpieces are still used by the Franciscans. These works are distinguished for the harmony
, rhythm
, and rhyme
of the verses, and for their sublime expressiveness as musical compositions. Only a few sentences in the third nocturn
(the antiphons) were written by Pope Gregory IX and the cardinals; the rest is entirely Julian's composition.
Even outside the Franciscan Order the rhythmic structure has often been copied, with whole verses being frequently taken (especially from the Historia rhythmica of St. Francis) and set to Julian's melodies without any changes. It is not known how much of the poetic narrative of St. Dominic (d. 1221), used on his feast by both Franciscans and Dominican
s, belongs to Julian of Speyer. Some portions at least of the mass formula of Sts. Francis and Anthony are undoubtedly his musical and poetical compositions. Only in the turn of the century was Julian recognized as the author of the Legenda S. Francisci and of the Vita ab auctore anonymo of St Anthony of Padua.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
composer, poet, and historian of the thirteenth century.
Born in Speyer
Speyer
Speyer is a city of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany with approximately 50,000 inhabitants. Located beside the river Rhine, Speyer is 25 km south of Ludwigshafen and Mannheim. Founded by the Romans, it is one of Germany's oldest cities...
, Julian studied at the University of Paris
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
and was the musical director for the royal chapel during the reigns of Philip Augustus and Louis VIII of France
Louis VIII of France
Louis VIII the Lion reigned as King of France from 1223 to 1226. He was a member of the House of Capet. Louis VIII was born in Paris, France, the son of Philip II Augustus and Isabelle of Hainaut. He was also Count of Artois, inheriting the county from his mother, from 1190–1226...
. Eventually, he left to become a member of the newly founded Order of St Francis
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
, but exactly when is not known.
In 1227, Julian accompanied Brother Simon Angelicus to Germany, when he was made Provincial of Germany by the General Chapter of Assisi. It is probable that he was present at the translation of St. Francis
Francis of Assisi
Saint Francis of Assisi was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. He founded the men's Franciscan Order, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the lay Third Order of Saint Francis. St...
at Assisi
Assisi
- Churches :* The Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi is a World Heritage Site. The Franciscan monastery, il Sacro Convento, and the lower and upper church of St Francis were begun immediately after his canonization in 1228, and completed in 1253...
in May 1230. Afterwards, he lived in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
again at the great convent of the Minorites, where he was choir-master as well as corrector mensae (who oversees the reading in the refectory
Refectory
A refectory is a dining room, especially in monasteries, boarding schools and academic institutions. One of the places the term is most often used today is in graduate seminaries...
).
Although in the Middle Ages, Julian of Speyer was held in high respect as a composer and writer of rhymed offices, he was almost forgotten until the end of the nineteenth century. It is certain that he composed the rhymed Office (historia) of St. Francis of Assisi (written between February 23, 1229, and October 4, 1235), as well as that of St. Anthony of Padua
Anthony of Padua
Anthony of Padua or Anthony of Lisbon, O.F.M., was a Portuguese Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan Order. Though he died in Padua, Italy, he was born to a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal, which is where he was raised...
, who was canonized on May 30, 1232 (composed just after 1241).
Both these musical, as well as poetical, masterpieces are still used by the Franciscans. These works are distinguished for the harmony
Harmony
In music, harmony is the use of simultaneous pitches , or chords. The study of harmony involves chords and their construction and chord progressions and the principles of connection that govern them. Harmony is often said to refer to the "vertical" aspect of music, as distinguished from melodic...
, rhythm
Rhythm
Rhythm may be generally defined as a "movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions." This general meaning of regular recurrence or pattern in time may be applied to a wide variety of cyclical natural phenomena having a periodicity or...
, and rhyme
Rhyme
A rhyme is a repetition of similar sounds in two or more words and is most often used in poetry and songs. The word "rhyme" may also refer to a short poem, such as a rhyming couplet or other brief rhyming poem such as nursery rhymes.-Etymology:...
of the verses, and for their sublime expressiveness as musical compositions. Only a few sentences in the third nocturn
Nocturns
Nocturns are divisions of Matins, the night office of the Christian Liturgy of the Hours. A nocturn consists of psalms with antiphons followed by three lessons, which are taken either from scripture or from the writings of the Church Fathers. The office of Matins is composed of one to three nocturns...
(the antiphons) were written by Pope Gregory IX and the cardinals; the rest is entirely Julian's composition.
Even outside the Franciscan Order the rhythmic structure has often been copied, with whole verses being frequently taken (especially from the Historia rhythmica of St. Francis) and set to Julian's melodies without any changes. It is not known how much of the poetic narrative of St. Dominic (d. 1221), used on his feast by both Franciscans and Dominican
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
s, belongs to Julian of Speyer. Some portions at least of the mass formula of Sts. Francis and Anthony are undoubtedly his musical and poetical compositions. Only in the turn of the century was Julian recognized as the author of the Legenda S. Francisci and of the Vita ab auctore anonymo of St Anthony of Padua.