Giving Voice to Hispanic Chant through a Phylogenetic Study of Medieval Plainchant

Project Information

RESOUND

Grant agreement ID: 101097816

DOI

10.3030/101097816

EC signature date 25 July 2023

Start date 1 December 2023

End date 30 November 2028

Funded under

• European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

€ 2 499 500,00

EU contribution

€ 2 499 500,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - RESOUND (Giving Voice to Hispanic Chant through a Phylogenetic Study of Medieval Plainchant)

Reporting period: 2023-12-01 to 2026-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The RESOUND project aims to unlock the secrets of Hispanic chant, a medieval liturgical tradition whose unique notation system has rendered its melodies silent for centuries. By combining expertise in musicology, palaeography, and computer science, the project seeks to decipher this notation, reconstruct the melodies, and create a comprehensive digital corpus of Hispanic chant. This endeavour promises to significantly impact musicological research, cultural heritage preservation, technological innovation, and socioeconomic development.

To achieve these ambitious goals, RESOUND has been structured into four Work Packages (WPs):

- WP1: Focuses on identifying, organizing, and analysing primary and secondary sources related to Hispanic chant. This includes creating detailed catalogues of liturgical and non-liturgical materials, digitizing manuscripts, and collaborating with online databases to ensure the accessibility and dissemination of research findings.

- WP2: Employs computational methods to analyse Hispanic chant, including developing phylogenetic tools, comparing different notation styles, and creating statistical models for chant reconstruction. This WP also involves training researchers in digital tools and techniques for musicological research.

- WP3: Undertakes the acoustic modelling of spaces associated with Hispanic chant, creating virtual acoustic models of relevant churches in both their current and historical states. This involves conducting on-site acoustic measurements, generating 3D models using photogrammetry, and producing auralizations to recreate the sonic experience of these spaces.

- WP4: Analyses the performance gestures associated with Hispanic chant notation, aiming to deduce specific vocal gestures for each neume. This research involves practical comparisons with other chant traditions and collaborations with other WPs to refine neume taxonomies and contribute to acoustic modelling.

Each WP has made significant progress, demonstrating the project's commitment to recovering, analysing, and presenting Hispanic chant in an innovative and accessible way. The combined efforts of these WPs promise to deepen our understanding of medieval music, promote cultural heritage preservation, and inspire new forms of artistic expression.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The RESOUND project has achieved substantial progress across all its Work Packages, marking significant milestones in the recovery and analysis of Hispanic chant.

WP1: This work package meticulously organized and analysed primary and secondary sources related to Hispanic chant. A comprehensive database of liturgical and non-liturgical materials was created, including details on dating, provenance, and notation type. All sources were digitized and made accessible on a shared drive, with standardized indexing and online presentation methods developed in collaboration with external databases. This ensures the long-term preservation and accessibility of these valuable resources for researchers and the public alike.

WP2: This work package focused on the computational analysis of Hispanic chant. Researchers developed advanced tools for phylogenetic analysis, resulting in a publishable article and a novel tool for comparing different notation styles. A statistical model for chant reconstruction was also created, pushing the boundaries of digital musicology. The team further contributed to the project by transcribing melodies, analysing specific manuscripts like BL50, and training team members in the use of digital tools for musicological research, ensuring the project's legacy extends beyond the immediate research findings.

WP3: This work package progressed in its mission to acoustically model spaces associated with Hispanic chant. Taking the Church of Sant Miquel in Terrassa as a pilot, the team conducted a thorough acoustic analysis of the space, including on-site measurements and the creation of a detailed 3D model. Virtual acoustic models were generated for both the current and historical states of the church, providing a deeper understanding of the relationship between the architectural space and the sonic experience of the chant. Furthermore, anechoic recordings of chants were made to produce auralizations, enabling listeners to experience the music as it might have sounded in the church's historical setting.

WP4: This work package delved into the analysis of performance gestures associated with Hispanic chant notation. Through meticulous comparisons with other chant traditions, the team is working to decipher the specific vocal gestures associated with each neume. This research will not only shed light on the performance practice of Hispanic chant but also contribute to a deeper understanding of the relationship between notation and musical expression in the medieval period. The team actively collaborated with other work packages, contributing to the refinement of neume taxonomies and providing singers for anechoic recordings used in acoustic modelling, demonstrating the interconnectedness of the project's different research strands.

These achievements highlight the significant strides made by the RESOUND project in recovering, analysing, and presenting Hispanic chant in an innovative and accessible manner. The project's multi-faceted approach, combining traditional musicological research with cutting-edge digital tools and techniques, has yielded impressive results, promising to transform our understanding of this forgotten musical tradition and its place in the broader context of medieval European music.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

RESOUND is deciphering and reconstructing the lost melodies of Hispanic chant, a medieval liturgical tradition, using cutting-edge technology. This ambitious project combines musicology, palaeography, and computer science to create a comprehensive digital corpus of melodies and performance environments. Expected outcomes include:

- Revolutionizing our understanding of medieval music: By analyzing the unique notation and reconstructing the melodies, the project challenges existing narratives and sheds light on the evolution of European chant traditions.

- Advancing digital musicology: RESOUND develops specialized OCR for neumes and utilizes acoustic modelling, pushing the boundaries of digital musicology and opening new avenues for research and data-driven discoveries.

- Revitalizing historical sites and promoting cultural tourism: By recreating medieval soundscapes, the project fosters cultural tourism and enhances public understanding and appreciation of Hispanic chant and its cultural context.

- Creating a lasting legacy: RESOUND will deliver a comprehensive digital resource, including a vast corpus of digitized melodies, phylogenetic analyses, virtual reconstructions of medieval churches, and educational resources, ensuring long-term preservation and accessibility of this forgotten heritage.

To ensure the project's continued success, further research, collaboration, public dissemination, and sustained funding are crucial. RESOUND promises to transform our understanding of medieval music and its cultural significance, leaving a lasting legacy of innovation and collaboration.