Monastic whispers resurface after half a millennium, still echoing in the silent halls.
In a remarkable discovery, a rare collection of monastic music, believed to have been sung by Cistercian monks during the Tudor era, is set to be performed for the first time in almost five centuries at Buckland Abbey in Devon. The music, discovered in a 15th-century manuscript known as the Buckland Book, was originally part of the abbey's rich musical heritage before its closure during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century.
The Buckland Book, a customary containing detailed instructions for the monks' daily rituals and services, was rediscovered by Exeter historian Professor James Clark. The manuscript, which now resides in the British Library, has been loaned back to Buckland Abbey by the National Trust and the University of Exeter for the upcoming performance.
The music, identified as plainchant, is a style of monastic chant that may have been used to seek divine protection during crises, such as the Tudor sweating sickness, a disease that frequently affected England during the Tudor period. The pieces found in the book express requests for God's mercy, forgiveness, and protection from harm.
The university's Chapel Choir, under the direction of Michael Graham, the university's director of chapel music, has been preparing for the performance. Although the notation is familiar to modern Catholic traditions, it lacks instructions regarding rhythm and dynamics, making the interpretation a challenging yet exciting task for the choir.
The performance is set to take place in August as part of a new exhibition at Buckland Abbey, marking a significant cultural and historical moment by reconnecting the abbey to its medieval monastic past through sound. The event is a testament to the rich musical heritage of the abbey and the dedication of those involved in bringing this ancient music back to life.
This collaboration between the National Trust, the University of Exeter, and the University's Chapel Choir has provided an invaluable opportunity for the university's students to explore and perform this old music, offering them a unique insight into the history of music and the monastic life. As the choir prepares to bring the sacred sounds once echoing through the abbey's halls back to life, the anticipation builds for this unforgettable historical and cultural event.
[1] University of Exeter press release: "500-year-old music to be performed for the first time at Buckland Abbey" (2023) [2] National Trust press release: "Buckland Abbey to host performance of 500-year-old music" (2023) [3] The Guardian article: "The rediscovered music that could have helped monks through a crisis" (2023)
The upcoming performance at Buckland Abbey incorporates a portion of the recovery, being a set of 500-year-old plainchant music, which originally formed part of the abbey's musical heritage. This musical exploration, undertaken by the University of Exeter's Chapel Choir, shall not only provide a remarkable entertainment experience but also reintroduce a profound piece of medieval music to audiences.
