A DOMINICAN CHANTBOOK AND ITS CONTEXT

Abstract

This thesis examines the historical and musical context of the Antiphonarium, a Dominican chant book from the sixteenth century current housed in the University of Arizona Special Collections Library. Designed to be read by both laypeople and experts, this thesis first explores the history of the Dominican Liturgy before 1529 and the general structure of Gregorian chant notation and performance. It then examines the Antiphonarium specifically, focusing on its physical characteristics, its formatting and notation, and its writing and art styles. An analysis of three important chants from the Antiphonarium is also included, highlighting the historical and musical depth contained within the chant book. Finally, it briefly looks at the modern significance of the Antiphonarium, and of Gregorian chant music more generally. The purpose of this thesis is to provide insight into the significance of the Antiphonarium and chant books like it. By providing historical and musical context, as well as physical and musical analysis, it shows that chant is an historically and aurally rich music, and that the ancient chantbooks that contain it deserve careful study and attention.