Name: _____________________________________
Date: ____________________
Listen Heldegard of Bingen and Chant (LG 2)
Exercises
1. Describe the general musical characteristics of Gregorian chant:
Texture: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Rhythm/meter: ______________________________________________________________________________
Type of movement: ___________________________________________________________________________
Range: _____________________________________________________________________________________
2. During which service in the Catholic liturgy is the Kyrie sung? __________________________________________
3. What are the notational symbols for chant called? __________________________________________________
Match each test-setting term with its definition.
4. ______ syllabic
a. many notes per syllable
5. ______ neumatic
b. one note per syllable
6. ______ melismatic
c. syllabic style with short melismas of 3 to 6 notes
7. The Kyrie is part of the __________________ (Ordinary or Proper) of the Mass.
8. The text of the Kyrie is based on a ____________ (language) prayer.
9. The Kyrie consists of ____________ phrases sung ____________ times each (give numbers).
10. The Kyrie is sung in ______________________________ style, alternating between two groups of singers.
11. The melody is ____________(conjunct or disjunct) and wavelike with a ____________ (small, medium, or large)
range that grows __________________ (wider or narrower).
Listen to Hildegard of Bingen’s Alleluia, O virga mediatrix while following the Listening Guide, then answer
questions 12 – 19
12. On which liturgical occasion(s) was Hildegard’s chant Alleluia, O virga mediatrix sung?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
13. Who is praised in the text? _____________________________________________________________________
14. This chant is sung in alternations between a soloist and a chorus, a style known as ________________________
Multiple Choice
15. ______ Which term best describes the texture?
a) monophonic
b) polyphonic
c) homophonic
16. ______ Which best describes the melodic movement of Hildegard’s chant?
a) completely conjunct
b) mostly conjunct with a few steps
c) very disjunct
17. ______ Which best describes the
18. What musical characteristic(s) heard in this chant make Hildegard’s music unique? ________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
19. Cite a specific example of word painting in Alleluia, O virga mediatrix. What is the text (and translation)? How
does Hildegard depict the word musically?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________