English Saints' Offices - Volume 1
Early English Church Music Volume 68
Expected to ship in 1-2 weeks.
- ISMN:
- Size: 9.6 x 12.4 inches
- Urtext / Critical Edition
Description
A Major addition to the plainsong subseries of Early English Church Music, and the first tripartite collection of music in the edition, EC volumes 68–70 present transcriptions from over forty cycles of liturgical chants for the Office hours, in alphabetical listing and with English translations by Henry Howard, and comprising over 1,300 individual chants composed in England from the tenth to the fifteenth centuries. While the history and context of the veneration of saints has been extensively studied, the aim of these volumes, drawing on the lifetime's expertise of the editor, is to enhance our knowledge of the melodies, to facilitate comparison between cycles, and to make possible a better appreciation of their character and relation both to one another and to older parts of the chant repertory.
Augustine of Canterbury, Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, Edward the Confessor and Ermenhild of Ely are among the notable figures to be found in EC68, which also includes the authoritative editorial apparatus for the three volumes. There are notes on liturgical form, chronology and style, manuscript sources, performance of antiphons and responsories, and Susan Rankin's account of the transcription of organal voices. Where the only known source of an office has neumatic notation, manuscript images are provided.
**Contents of this volume **
Introduction
- The edition
- Liturgical form
- Table 1 – Outline of the order of service for the office hours
- Manuscript sources
- Table 2 – Types of manuscript source used in the musical transcriptions
- Chronology and style
- Table 3 – Attributions
- Re-use of older chants in new offices
- Performance of antiphons and responsories
- Editorial principles and conventions
- The transcription of the organal voices
- Conspectus of primary sources
- Bibliography
- Calendar of saints' feasts
Volume I
- Adrian of Canterbury
- Alban
- Ann
- Augustine of Canterbury
- Benedict
- Birinus of Wessex
- Botulf
- Chad
- Cuthbert of Lindisfarne
- Dunstan
- Edith|
- Edmund of East Anglia
- Edmund Rich of Canterbury
- Edward the Confessor
- Edward the Martyr
- Erkenwald
Publishers use a lot of words to describe what they sell, and we know it can be confusing. We've tried to be as clear as possible to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Below are descriptions of the terms that we use to describe the various formats that music often comes in.
Choral Score
A score for vocalists that only contains the vocal lines. The instrumental parts are not there for reference. Generally, cheaper than a vocal score and requires multiple copies for purchase.
Facsimile
Reproductions of the original hand-written scores from the composer.
Full Score
For ensemble music, this indicates that the edition contains all parts on a single system (there are not separate parts for each player). In larger ensembles, this is for the conductor.
Hardcover
Hardbound. Generally either linen-covered or half-leather.
Orchestral Parts
Similar to a wind set, this is a collection of parts. In the case of strings, the numbers listed are the number of copies included, though generally these are available individually (often with minimum quantities required).
Paperback
When publishers offer multiple bindings (e.g. hardcover) or study scores, this is the "standard" version. If you're planning to play the music, this is probably what you want.
Performance / Playing Score
A score of the music containing all parts on one system, intended for players to share. There are not separate parts for each player.
Set of Parts
For ensemble music, this indicates that there are separate individual parts for each player.
Solo Part with Piano Reduction
For solo pieces with orchestra, this is a version that contains a piano reduction of the orchestra parts. For piano pieces, two copies are typically needed for performance.
Study Score
A small (think choral size) copy of the complete score meant for studying, and not playing. They make great add-ons when learning concertos and small chamber works.
Vocal Score
A score prepared for vocalists that includes the piano/organ part or a reduction of the instrumental parts.
Wind Set
For orchestral music, this is a collection of wind and percussion parts. The specific quantities of each instrument are notated.
With Audio
In addition to the printed music, the edition contains recordings of the pieces. This may be an included CD, or access to files on the internet.
With / Without Fingering (Markings)
Some publishers prepare two copies - a pure Urtext edition that includes no fingering (or bowing) suggestions and a lightly edited version that includes a minimal number of editorial markings.



