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Liber Usualis - Gregorian Chant - Catholic Liturgy

The Liber Usualis is a book of commonly-used Gregorian chants in the Catholic tradition, compiled by the monks of the Abbey of Solesmes in France.

This book is in a good condition. The cover of the spine is damaged, but the book and the pages are in a fine condition as can be seen on the pictures. It was printed in 1946.

This 1,900-page book contains most versions of the ordinary chants for the Mass (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei), as well as the common chants for the Divine Office (daily prayers of the Church) and for every commonly celebrated feast of the Church Year (including more than two hundred pages for Holy Week alone). The "usual book" or "common book" also contains chants for specific rituals, such as baptisms, weddings, funerals, ordinations, and benediction. This modal, monophonic Latin music has been sung in the Catholic Church since at least the sixth century and through the present day.

An extensive introduction explains how to read and interpret the medieval musical notation (square notation of neums or neumes). A complete index makes it easy to find specific pieces.

The Liber Usualis  is a book collecting all the musical items of the Mass. The official such book for the Roman Rite is the Roman Gradual (in Latin, Graduale Romanum). Generally speaking, Graduale Romanum has the same context as the Liber Usualis but without the texts of the Epistle and Gospel.