cantus firmus

American  

[kan-tuhs fur-muhs] / ˈkæn təs ˈfɜr məs /

noun

1. the ancient traditional unisonal plainchant of the Christian Church, having its form set and its use prescribed by ecclesiastical tradition.

2. Music. a fixed melody to which other voices are added, typically in polyphonic treatment.

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Etymology

Origin of cantus firmus

1840–50; < Medieval Latin: literally, firm song

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cantus firmus

Each section is built on a simple cantus firmus — a brief, unharmonized chant — around which a rich, involving six-part harmonic fabric is woven.

From New York Times ● Apr. 3, 2011

Even on the Continent, the great schools of contrapuntists delighted to show their skill by employing as their cantus firmus, or chief part, some well-known popular song, such as "L'Homme Armé," for example.

From Woman's Work in Music by Arthur Elson

It is his way of carrying on together a cantus firmus in two's and a counterpoint in three's.

From The Masters and their Music A series of illustrative programs with biographical, esthetical, and critical annotations by W. S. B. (William Smythe Babcock) Mathews

Two notes are written in the counterpoint to one of the cantus firmus, except in the last measure.

From A Treatise on Simple Counterpoint in Forty Lessons by Friedrich Johann Lehmann

To cantus firmus a write one counterpoint above and one below, in the third species.

From A Treatise on Simple Counterpoint in Forty Lessons by Friedrich Johann Lehmann