canto fermo

British  

/ ˈkæntəs ˈfɜːməs, ˈkæntəʊ ˈfɜːməʊ /

noun

1. a melody that is the basis to which other parts are added in polyphonic music

2. the traditional plainchant as prescribed by use and regulation in the Christian Church

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Etymology

Origin of canto fermo

Italian, from Medieval Latin, literally: fixed song

Example Sentences

When the canto fermo is in notes of equal length and is sung without intermission, it is of course as rigid a mechanical device as an acrostic.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 2 "Constantine Pavlovich" to "Convention" by Various

He exercised his contrapuntal ingenuity by devising schemes for circumventing this troublesome passage in the canto fermo of his life without breaking any of the rules, and finally hit upon the device of running away. 

From Castellinaria and Other Sicilian Diversions by Jones, Henry Festing

It was founded upon a canto fermo, a melody of an ancient plain song of the Middle Ages, and used in High Mass from a very remote period.

From House of Torment A Tale of the Remarkable Adventures of Mr. John Commendone, Gentleman to King Phillip II of Spain at the English Court by Gull, Cyril Arthur Edward Ranger

The effect of the canto fermo, accompanied by a serpent, those who have not heard it could scarcely conceive, and clumsy bells are ringing all the time.

From Letters of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy from Italy and Switzerland by Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Felix

The voices of common sense and of high philosophy sometimes cross; but common sense is the unalterable canto fermo and philosophy is the variable counterpoint.

From The Note-Books of Samuel Butler by Butler, Samuel