Chants of the Vatican Graduale - MusicaSacra

Fifth Sunday after Easter 203
recede from this feast, the closer we approach the day of the ascension
and the departure of the Lord from this earth. But it does not. Other
rules come into play here. The melodies for the Introits of the first,
second, and fourth Sundays are devout, rather than jubilant. Into these
the brilliant third Sunday is inserted. Now, rising above all these, comes
the Introit of the fifth Sunday: a clarion call of real Easter joy which
would resound to the uttermost ends of the earth, as if conscious of the
fact that never was there a more consoling message brought to cheer
mankind.
In its first half, the first phrase has an energetic ascent for its arsis,
followed by a similarly proportioned thesis. How delicate the melodic
line here is, avoiding everything rough or severe! By preference the new
neum sets in on the last note of the preceding one (dge-eg-ga-acb, and
the descending ca-ag-gag). After a brief arsis the second half brings a
drawn-out thesis with the tetrachord d-g. Strength is thus gained for a
renewed, powerful ascent. The second phrase begins with the same motive
as the first, but increases greatly in force with the fourth over usque.
The effect is heightened still more by the two identical clives. And now
comes a loud cry of joy with the torculus. It is not only tone-painting,
but the manifestation of long-pent-up, surging joy in the heart of the
singer. The third phrase brings the message itself. One might expect a
still greater enhancement of the melody here. But a further development
upward is hardly possible, for the third mode, the one selected for
this piece, very rarely reaches above the high e used over extremum. And
a repetition of that note might sound weak. Moreover, how is a royal
message announced? First a fanfare and the rolling of drums, and then
the solemn and quiet proclamation of the message. The greater and the
more unexpected its contents are, the warmer and more mysterious will
be its ring. That is the case here. The message announces our freedom
from ignoble bondage, and the cessation of that misery of soul which
once seemed so hopelessly abject because no man could help. It announces
our citizenship in a kingdom whose Ruler is the God of infinite
love. What is more, it promises a life of eternal bliss in this kingdom.
Hence we shall sing these words not so much with rousing joy as rather
with deep emotion and heartfelt thanksgiving. But with the twofold
alleluia joy breaks forth anew. Over suum it has already reverted to the
motive of the first phrase over audidtur; this it varies pleasantly toward
the end and culminates in the florid neums over the final alleluia.
This melody was adopted for the Introit of the feast of the Immaculate
Conception; and also, though less happily, for the feast of St.
Anthony Mary Zaccaria (July 5).
Analyses, I, 31 ff.