Manuscript Fun • Pt. 2 (FREE SCORE)
It would seem that it is becoming somewhat of an unofficial ‘tradition’ for me to find a beautiful medieval manuscript and photoshop it for Christmas (something I hope to expand to other feasts and solemnities as time rolls along).
(Last year, I offered this stunning manuscript of Puer Natus Est, the Introit for Christmas Day.)
My goal is not to change the manuscript into something that it isn’t, but rather to render it yet more accessible by using a more legible script and more careful syllabic placement, so that singers of even moderate chant ability can sing directly from the manuscripts with (relative) ease.
Click here to download a PDF to sing from Christmas morning!
This year’s entry is a lovely 15th century manuscript from Seville of Dominus dixit ad me (the introit for Midnight Mass).
Click here to view the rest of the manuscript.
This manuscript is richly illuminated in a different way from the aforementioned example, with all manner of filigree in the margins (including a peacock!). And while the script is actually clearer to read than last year’s example, it is still not without its difficulty for the uninitiated. (This is an exceptionally clean and clear manuscript, in fact!)
It should be noted that this melody does not correspond to the current Editio Vaticana (wich you can download here, and print on the back of this version, if you would like to compare the two, or chant the versicle and Gloria Patri after the Introit itself.) That said, it goes without saying that it is of legitimate provenance & antiquity to merit being a perfectly legitimate option to chant for Christmas. After all, some religious community went to great pains to illuminate this chant centuries ago! So without further ado, please download this PDF and sing it! Below you will also find a YouTube demonstration to help you (and your schola) learn it.
A happy Advent to one and all!
Pax, James
