Chants of the Vatican Graduale - MusicaSacra

Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 411
scripts we find it on the feast of St. Gorgonius (September 9) and on
Easter Monday. On the former feast it forms the melody over the words
Magna est...of the third verse for the Offertory Posuisti, while on the
latter it is found over the words Jesus stetit... of the third verse for the
Offertory Angelus Domini. The Easter Monday composition is probably
the original one. The final alleluia, which is sung only in the votive
Masses of the Blessed Virgin during Paschal time, has a melisma truly
festal and triumphant in character.
In its general mood and atmosphere the present Offertory is much
akin to the Magna est of the above mentioned feast. In each case the
melody depicts amazement at the wonderful things God has wrought
in a human soul and admiration for its consequent worth and beauty.
A rare instance of recitation in monotone is exemplified in this Offertory
over quae omnium por-(tdsti). The same holds true for the above
Magna est over the words in salutdri.
The melody over Bedta es not only forms the introduction for the
above verses, but for the Offertory of Easter Monday and of the feasts
of St. Gorgonius and the Assumption. The high d over Virgo should be
slightly retarded; the interval of a fourth will in this way be made more
effective. In the final member of Virgo the descending fourth g-d forms
a contrast to the ascending fourth a-d in the two foregoing members.
Maria should be sung with warmth and fervor, and the two final clives
somewhat retarded. The monotone recitation of quae omnium portd-(sti)
should be measured rather than rapid. The melody over creatbrem is
found also in the Offertories Angelus Domini, Posuisti, and Assumpta
est. Its two bistropha, which are to be slightly retarded, should combine
the well-defined groups of four notes. The melody depicts for us the
greatness of Mary who bore in her womb and in her arms Him who not
only created but also sustains the world. The interval c-g, which is to
be retarded, divides the melismas over fecit into two unequal parts, the
second of which can be considered an extension of the first. Mary, although
a mother, remains a Virgin for all eternity; this is the theme of
the final phrase with its large intervals. Permanes should be phrased
like the final Alleluia of the Offertory on Easter Monday.
COMMUNION
1. Beata viscera Mariae Virginis, 1. Blessed is the womb of the Vir-
2. quae portaverunt aeterni Patris gin Mary, 2. which bore the Son of
Filium. the eternal Father.
All of today's chants, the majority of which are characterized by
direct approach, begin by glorifying the Virgin Mary. They not only