Chants of the Vatican Graduale - MusicaSacra

406 The Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus C hrist
the present text has a dactyl, the original has two trochees. In the
original, moreover, the first phrase is rightly given melodic superiority,
while today, in accordance with its import, the second phrase is given
prominence. The manner of rendition will aid to proper interpretation.
The text is a continuation of the Gradual text, as if to indicate that
Alleluia and Gradual were to form one composite whole.—St. John here
adduces proof that Christ was already conceived and born as the Son of
God; He did not become such through His Baptism.
OFFERTORY (1 Cor. 10: 16)
1. Calix benedictionis, cui bene- 1. The chalice of benediction which
dicimus, nonne communicatio san- we bless, is it not the communion of
guinis Christi esti 2. et panis quern the blood of Christi 2. and the bread
frangimus, nonne participatio cor- which we break, is it not the parporis
Domini estl taking of the body of the Lordl
The priest raises the chalice a first time at the Offertory. Soon
after he raises it again, but higher and in a more solemn manner. He has
blessed the chalice, spoken over it the words of transubstantiation, and
it now contains the blood of Christ. At the tinkling of the small bell
the assembled congregation bends its knee in profound adoration. And
wonderful to contemplate, we mortals are permitted to unite most intimately,
with this blood, and by partaking of it can in very truth become
blood-relations of Christ. 0 truly precious blood that imparts such
nobility and dignity! And the consecrated host which is broken, "is it
not the partaking of the body of the Lord?" The interrogatory form with
its double nonne is for us the expression of our deepest conviction that
we believe this word spoken by the Son of God, than which nothing can
be more true.
This conviction is reflected also in the melody, the phrasing of which
is determined by the text. The first phrase with a range of a ninth is
especially well developed melodically, due perhaps to the fact that it
refers to the blood of Christ. The second phrase which is more quiet
and lower-pitched has a range of a sixth. The second nonne corresponds
to the first, but is a fifth lower. Just why the former has not the porrectus
toward its close like the latter is difficult to see. In the rendition, the
conclusion of each nonne should be extended, or even a short breathing
space inserted. The gradual growth of the melody in'the first phrase:
Calix: c-g; benedictidnis: c-a; cui benedlcimus: d-bV, nonne.. .est: d-d 1
is very effective. The melodic flourish over the last syllable of communicdtio
is pitched a third lower over the corresponding participatio. A similar
condition obtains with est at the close of the first and second phrases.