Antiphon

This article is about the musical term. For other uses, see Antiphon (disambiguation).
The Liber responsorialis, showing on the right-hand page the antiphons for the first night office of Christmas. The associated psalm tones are indicated by number and ending pitch, and the pitches for the ending of the doxology are indicated by the mnemonic Euouae.

An antiphon (Greek ἀντίφωνον, ἀντί "opposite" and φωνή "voice") is a short chant in Christian ritual, sung as a refrain. The texts of antiphons are usually taken from the Psalms or Scripture, but may also be freely composed. Their form was favored by St Ambrose and they feature prominently in Ambrosian chant, but they are used widely in Gregorian chant as well. They may be used during Mass, for the Introit, the Offertory or the Communion. They may also be used in the Liturgy of the Hours, typically for Lauds or Vespers.

They should not be confused with Marian antiphons or processional antiphons.

When a chant consists of alternating verses (usually sung by a cantor) and responses (usually sung by the congregation), a refrain is needed.

The looser term antiphony is generally used for any call and response style of singing, such as the kirtan or the sea shanty and other work songs, and songs and worship in African and African-American culture. Antiphonal music is that performed by two choirs in interaction, often singing alternate musical phrases.[1] Antiphonal psalmody is the singing or musical playing of psalms by alternating groups of performers.[2] The term "antiphony" can also refer to a choir-book containing antiphons.

  1. ^ E. Foley and M. Paul, Worship music: a concise dictionary (Liturgical Press, 2000), p. 18.
  2. ^ J. McKinnon, Music in early Christian literature (Cambridge University Press, 1989), p. 10.