Chants of the Vatican Graduale - MusicaSacra

22 Second Sunday of Advent
manifestation of divine favor the melody bows down in gratitude. In
the Sequence-like melody it is best to consider the torculus the points of
support, and to rhythmize in a movement resembling five-eights time:
dd\ cdb ag\ bcb ab | gag g
ad sal- van- das gen-tes.
Thus the word-accents are clearly brought to the fore.
The second phrase begins with the same motive as the first, but its
span is greater. After the accented c and the following d it does not sink
back to c, but establishes itself on d. However insignificant this small
note may appear, it wields great power, urging up to the high /. After
the ascent over fdciet comes a brief relaxation. But then follows a mighty
cry (obviously the text has influenced the melody)—gloriam vocis suae.
The third phrase portrays the effects of this message. With full,
round tones it soars upward from g to e l , stressing this, as it afterwards
does c. Then with an interval of a fourth it descends to the tonic and to
the final cadence.
Revue, 19, 139 ff.; Analyses, II, 12 ff.
GRADUAL (Ps. 49:2-3, 5)
1. Ex Sion species decoris ejus: 1. Out of Sion the loveliness of
2. Deus manifeste veniet. $". 1. Con- his beauty: 2. God shall come manigregate
illi sanctos ejus, 2. qui festly. $". 1. Gather ye together his
ordinaverunt 3. testamentum ejus saints to him, 2. who have set 3. his
super sacrificia. covenant before sacrifices.
When the Lord will come, He will bring joy to the hearts of men:
that is the promise of the Introit. The Epistle closed with similar words:
"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing." This
thought is prolonged by the Gradual. It speaks of the beauty of Him
who is to come. All beauty, and especially that of the coming Messias,
cannot but produce joy: that is the theme of this bright song. Not infrequently
does it remind us of our modern major scale. In other passages
the Psalmist has painted the beauty of the Messias in brilliant colors,
describing Him as the most beautiful of the children of men. Now He is
to come—and manifeste, in visible form. But this Ruler will not isolate
Himself from His subjects, as is the custom of Oriental sovereigns. He
will show Himself, and with the magic of His beauty He will capture all
hearts.
But he does not come alone: a great host accompanies Him. Of this
the Gradual-verse speaks, as we also read in one of the Advent anti-