Probably none of you recall that I auditioned for an early music ensemble some time ago. I was accepted and have been rehearsing with them for an upcoming chanted Mass we’re chanting for a meeting of the Chapters of the Third Order OP. Now here is a section of an email from the director of the group.
…it is all in Dominican Chant, a very good way to introduce new Cappella members into chant performance, since this type of chant is a little easier than Roman or Monastic, viz. “Gregorian” chant; for one thing we just read the notes from the four-line stave without worrying about having to read the original neumes simultaneously, since it is a late [for chant] form of the genner [late12th – 13th Century], and the melodies tend to be slightly shorter and simpler than those of the earlier traditions.
He is probably one of the most knowledgeable people in the world about early sacred music. I think he could kick the crap out of all those monks from the Abbey of Solesmes.