Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Unison Chants for the Psalter: A Collection of Single Anglican Chants Appropriated to the Daily Psalms in the Book of Common Prayer Expressly Selected and Adapted for the Use of Church Choirs and Congregations; Organ Harmonies
IV. Suggestion for occasional Change of Instrumental Harmony as a further mode (often of much value and potency) of heightening the desired expression; or of calling attention to important divisions, and changes of subject or utterance, in cases when actual change of the voice-part seemed undesirable.
The Editors still maintain their old convictions as to the superiority of Single Anglican Chants over all other forms not only on the ground of their greater simplicity and liveliness,1' but also, particularly, for the ease with which they can be employed at any verse of the Psalm, whenever a change of Chant is desired; and for any grouping whatever of verses - an advantage not belonging to Double Chants - which, on the contrary, often cause resort to the clumsy expedient of the half-chant, for the cure of inseparable redundancy. Once admit longer forms, and Triple or Quadruple must logically follow the introduction of Double Chants; and thus, putting aside other objections to their use, we should certainly be admitting a serious obstacle to Congregational Chanting of the Psalter.
This Collection therefore consists of Single Chants only. Its contents, as well as their apportionment to the Psalms, are-largely based upon The Psalter with Chants, 1879, of the Editors, and The Anglican Chant Book, 1880; but these sources have been added to and enriched, by permitted quotations from various standard Collections, as well as by numerous original contributions from friendly pens. Indispensable restrictions, both as to compass and character of the Chants, their association in easy and natural sequence for each daily portion of the Psalms, and fitting combination therewith throughout the monthly course, have narrowed the Editors' choice, as well as excluded a few well-known specimens but such difficulties were inherent in their undertaking, and call for no further comment.
Transposition has been largely resorted to, in order to meet the requirements of a limited vocal range; and, more rarely, slight modifications and excisions have been necessary, to carry through and ensure the specific scope and purpose of the Work. As to Transposition the Editors keenly feel all the arguments that may be urged against it. Yet, on the other hand - for such a purpose as the present-those in its favour seem still weightier. This Work, indeed, could not have been undertaken with any prospect of extensive usefulness without its unsparing employment.
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