Tonary
Encyclopedia
A tonary is a liturgical book
in the Western Christian
Church containing various chant
s which is organized according to the eight psalm tones of Gregorian chant
. It may include antiphon
s from the Mass and Offices
, as well as responsories
and other chants. Although they can be standalone works, they were frequently copied with other liturgical books, including antiphoners, gradual
s, tropers, prosers, and collections of musical treatises.
Tonaries were particular important before a clear musical notation
system was developed, as the ordering assisted in the memorization of the chants. The earliest tonary is from the 8th century, and they were used mostly in the 11th and 12th centuries, with some still in use in the 13th century, mainly in Germany. They are also frequently a bridge between theory and practice of the singing of chants and psalms.
Liturgical book
A liturgical book is a book published by the authority of a church, that contains the text and directions for the liturgy of its official religious services.-Roman Catholic:...
in the Western Christian
Western Christianity
Western Christianity is a term used to include the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church and groups historically derivative thereof, including the churches of the Anglican and Protestant traditions, which share common attributes that can be traced back to their medieval heritage...
Church containing various chant
Chant
Chant is the rhythmic speaking or singing of words or sounds, often primarily on one or two pitches called reciting tones. Chants may range from a simple melody involving a limited set of notes to highly complex musical structures Chant (from French chanter) is the rhythmic speaking or singing...
s which is organized according to the eight psalm tones of Gregorian chant
Gregorian chant
Gregorian chant is the central tradition of Western plainchant, a form of monophonic liturgical music within Western Christianity that accompanied the celebration of Mass and other ritual services...
. It may include antiphon
Antiphon
An antiphon in Christian music and ritual, is a "responsory" by a choir or congregation, usually in Gregorian chant, to a psalm or other text in a religious service or musical work....
s from the Mass and Offices
Canonical hours
Canonical hours are divisions of time which serve as increments between the prescribed prayers of the daily round. A Book of Hours contains such a set of prayers....
, as well as responsories
Responsory
-Definition:The most general of a responsory is any psalm, canticle, or other sacred musical work sung responsorially, that is, with a cantor or small group singing verses while the whole choir or congregation respond with a refrain. However, this article focuses on those chants of the western...
and other chants. Although they can be standalone works, they were frequently copied with other liturgical books, including antiphoners, gradual
Gradual
The Gradual is a chant or hymn in the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist for many Christian denominations. In the Tridentine Mass it was and is sung after the reading or chanting of the Epistle and before the Alleluia, or, during penitential seasons, before the Tract. In the Mass of Paul VI...
s, tropers, prosers, and collections of musical treatises.
Tonaries were particular important before a clear musical notation
Musical notation
Music notation or musical notation is any system that represents aurally perceived music, through the use of written symbols.-History:...
system was developed, as the ordering assisted in the memorization of the chants. The earliest tonary is from the 8th century, and they were used mostly in the 11th and 12th centuries, with some still in use in the 13th century, mainly in Germany. They are also frequently a bridge between theory and practice of the singing of chants and psalms.