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

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

Here it means the cantus firmus, the melody around which the old composers wove their contrapuntal ornamentation.

From Luther and the Reformation: The Life-Springs of Our Liberties by Seiss, Joseph A.

To cantus firmus a write two counterpoints above and two below, in the fourth species.

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

To cantus firmus a write one counterpoint above and one below, three notes to the measure.

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

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 Elson, Arthur