human
Now, you can verify it yourself, the Gregorian melody is not thus treated; every voice takes its own part, and is isolated. Next, plain music allows no accompaniment, it must be chanted alone, without organ, it bears at most that the instrument should give the intonation and accompany it very softly, just enough if need be to sustain the pitch taken by the voices; it is not so that you will hear it given in the churches.
gpt
Yes, I know it well, said Durtal.
human
When I hear it at St. Sulpice, St. Severin, or Notre Dame des Victoires, I am aware that it is sophisticated, but you must admit that it is even then superb. I do not defend the tricks, the addition of fiorituri, the falseness of the musical pauses, the felonious accompaniment, the concert-room tone inflicted on you at Saint Sulpice, but what can I do? in default of the original I must be content with a more or less worthless copy, and I repeat, even executed in that fashion the music is so admirable that I am enchanted by it.
gpt
But, said the abbé quietly,
human
Indeed, and where is that?
gpt
At the Benedictine nuns of the Blessed Sacrament in the Rue Monsieur.
human
And can anyone enter the convent and be present at the offices?
gpt
Anyone. Every day in the week, Vespers are sung at three o'clock, and on Sundays High Mass is said at nine.
human
Ah, had I but known this chapel earlier,