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1. Term “Gregorian chant” is the collective name and stylistic designation for the (medieval) tradition and repertory collected in liturgical books of the monodic, originally unaccompanied chant of the liturgy of Roman Catholic ritual. The designation derives from a legend arising in connection with the Frankish reception of the Roman liturgy in the eighth and ninth centuries, one identifying Pope Gregory I (590–604) as the author or editor first of the texts, then also of the melodies of the cantus gregorianus (first in the 9th cent.). Although no historical proof has been add…

[German Version] I. New Testament – II. Liturgy and Church Music I. New Testament The Magnificat is Mary's song of praise (Luke 1:46–55), which takes its name from the first word of the Latin translation ( magnificat, “she praises”) and consists of two strophes: vv. 47–50 report, in the first person, God's acting on Mary; vv. 51–55 are more general and praise God's mighty deeds on Israel's behalf. In terms of genre, it is an individual song of praise or a hymn that stands in the tradition of the Old Testament Psalms and is inspi…