gradual

The gradual as a musical form is thought to be the oldest genre within the Catholic tradition of the Mass Proper, with their origins lying in the performing of a responsorial psalm during the first parts of a mass.[3] These chants are sung by a soloist in alternation with the larger church choir.[4] The evolution of ...

The term “Gradual” comes from the Latin for “step” (gradus; hence the word “gradually” means “step by step”.) Traditionally, this was a psalm sung by a solo cantor on the steps of the ambo (an elevated platform, pulpit-like in structure, from which the Gospel was read or sung by the deacon).

A Gradual is a book of chants for singing in the Mass. This example was produced in the last quarter of the 11th century for the Cathedral of St Etienne in Toulouse.

The Gradual, introduced in the 4th century, also developed from a refrain between psalm verses. Later it became: opening melody (chorus) - psalm verse or verses in a virtuosically embellished psalmodic structure (soloist) - opening melody (chorus), repeated in whole or in part.

The population gradually increased. The temperature changed gradually. The cat moved gradually forward.

progressive. slow. steady. step-by-step.

progressive. slow. steady. step-by-step.

Other forms: graduals. Use the adjective gradual to describe something that happens slowly, bit by bit, like the gradual increase in the amount of daylight in winter. Gradual can also apply to the gentle slope of landforms like hills.

The Responsorial Psalm is generally thematically related to the First Reading and involves the vocal participation of the whole congregation in singing or saying at least the antiphon (the verse repeated in between the other verses), whereas the Gradual is more of a meditative piece of its own requiring vocal ...

Based on Dennis Michno (p. 36 in A Priest's Handbook), I would say “gradual” (or sometimes called “grail”) refers to the psalm between the first and second lessons, and that a “sequence” hymn may take the place of an Alleluia verse between the second lesson and the gospel.

a crescendo of excitement. specifically : a gradual increase in volume of a musical passage.

Based on Dennis Michno (p. 36 in A Priest's Handbook), I would say “gradual” (or sometimes called “grail”) refers to the psalm between the first and second lessons, and that a “sequence” hymn may take the place of an Alleluia verse between the second lesson and the gospel.