Using+a+Cantus+Firmus

=CANTUS FIRMUS=

Using a //cantus// (or fixed tune) is as old as medieval church music. The idea of embedding the notes of a melody (usually with some meaning attached) sequentially in a composition has been used by composers of every era from medieval times up to today! It is an example of composers imposing a parameter on themselves in order to unlock or create new possibilities, therefore giving them forward motion as they compose.

Here's an example of one such piece, Sigfried Karg-Elert's //Now Thank We All Our God// (for organ): //Note the circled notes that constitute the melody of the familiar reformation hymn tune.// Recording of the opening (organ+brass version): media type="file" key="Nun Danket Alle Gott (Karg-Elert).mp3" width="240" height="20"