canto fermo

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of canto fermo¹

Italian, from Medieval Latin, literally: fixed song

Example Sentences

The morning service closed at half-past one with a hymn in canto fermo.

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By degrees various counter subjects were introduced in opposition to the canto fermo; first dotted notes, then triplets, at last rapid semiquavers, through which the "Credo" was to work its way; quite at the close, the semiquavers became very wild, and arpeggios followed on the whole organ in G minor.

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They say it is canto fermo, 185 Gregorian, etc.; no matter.

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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.

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These are generally sung by two counter-tenor voices, in canto fermo, in harsh, hard tones; the first half of each verse in the same style, and the second responded to by the chorus of male voices that I already described.

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