Credo Iii

[ithinkjesusiscool]

Pax!
I found a very special Credo III (V) with three flat signs. I think it's found in http://chabanelpsalms.org/introductory_material/Public_Domain_Chant_ACC/LapierreKyriale.pdf
I always though Gregorian chant could only use one flat sign (Bb).  Please explain this? And when people chant Credo III at Mass do different choirs/scholas use different sheet music?

And why do some parishes even choose to recite the creed rather than chant it?
 

[carmenchristi]

You are right.... Sort of. For the most part, yes Gregorian chant uses only a Bb. This is a transposition into modern notation. The "key" of. Eb (three flats- but isn't technically Eb but still remains tritus autenticus (V mode) is used to place it in a comfortable vocal range. So the only note you can find altered is now an A, which is already flat, but you would be able to find natural. If you transpose it up a full tone to start on F which is the natural starting point of tritus (IV and V mode), you will find that the only altered note is infact B.


Of course if you go to the new restitution of neumes in the Graduale Novum you will also find Eb and occasionally even c# or f# in the Gregorian notation. This comes from highly specialized studies of modality (the intervals found in each mode). I would not know how to explain this.

Different choirs use different sheet music for many reasons, maybe mostly for the preferred vocal range.

A parish will recite or sing the creed depending on the capability of the congregation/choir, solemnity of the occasion or time limitations.