Like the Collect and the Epistle, the Gospel is one of several readings and prayers in the Mass that are recited on a very simple formula. It is less a song than a way to make the text audible in a large church or cathedral. As with the Collect and Epistle, short melodic formulas indicate the ends of phrases, of sentences, and of the entire chant. The Gospel is a reading from one of the Gospels, the four books (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) that tell the story of Jesus' life.
The second edition of NAWM had an example of a Gospel (see NAWM 3g).
Last updated: 19 August 2006
URL: http://www.music.indiana.edu/som/courses/m401/Gospel.html
This page was created by Patrick Warfield and is maintained by
J. Peter Burkholder
Copyright © 1997-2006 by J. Peter Burkholder and Patrick Warfield