Gregoriana Amsterdam is a vocal ensemble specialized in the reconstruction and performance of Gregorian chant based on tenth-century sources. Gregoriana was initiated by Reinier van der Lof in 2002. Since its foundation Gregoriana has been directed by Geert Maessen. Since 2006 Gregoriana also has a female branch, initially called Virga. Gregoriana’s home is the Amsterdam Obrechtchurch where every third Saturday of the month (except in July and August) at 17:00 Gregorian Vespers (or Meditations) are sung.
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Notation and repertoire
Gregoriana preferably sings from the so-called Fluxus notation, a musical notation in which the oldest, tenth-century notation is placed on lines. Unlike more common notations, in the Fluxus notation all nuances (rhythmic, stylistic and ornamental) remain readable in an obvious way.
Gregoriana is particularly fascinated by those parts of the repertory which are rarely performed, but may nevertheless be regarded constitutive for the repertoire: the great responsories of the Night Office and the offertories with verses. Over 2,000 medieval responsories are preserved. In these chants the Gregorian composition techniques are reflected in an exemplary manner. In the verses of the approximately 100 tenth-century offertories, the most virtuoso parts of Gregorian chant can be found, which among other things is reflected in the longest melismas, the largest ambitus and most text repetitions.
Gregoriana has also paid special attention to the contemporaneous repertoires that were mostly eliminated by the standardization of Gregorian chant. Some of these repertoires, however, may be much older and at the base of Gregorian chant. Notably: Old Roman, Ambrosian (Milanese), (Old) Beneventan, Gallican and Mozarabic chant.
In particular, Mozarabic chant is high on Gregoriana’s priority list. This tradition existed from the sixth to the eleventh century on the Iberian Peninsula and southern France, but was officially abolished and replaced by Gregorian chant in 1085. Over 5000 chants of this tradition have been preserved in pitch-unreadable musical notation only. Gregoriana has performed dozens of computer aided reconstructions of Mozarabic chant.
Cooperation, publications and radio
Gregoriana has worked with imams, chazans and other representatives of several religions, as well as musicians from several musical traditions; classical, improvised and folkloristic. Gregoriana has released eight CDs, including two in collaboration with the Egidius Kwartet. Additionally Gregoriana has published five books, including Calculemus et Cantemus about the lost Mozarabic tradition.
From 2010 to 2016 Gregoriana's director has compiled radio broadcasts on Gregorian chant for the Dutch Concertzender. Many of these programs were about closely related traditions to Gregorian chant. All episodes can be streamed on the internet.