Sacred music

Gregorian chant

A single melodic line, unaccompanied, in free rhythm that follows the shape of the words rather than a beat. It is the Church's own music, and the texts it sets are almost entirely scripture.

The proper chants change every week with the day. The ordinary chants — Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Agnus Dei — recur, which is why congregations learn them first.

Polyphony

From the sixteenth century onward, several independent lines woven together. It is more elaborate than chant and was written for the same texts and the same moments.

If you want to start listening

• Begin with a single Introit rather than a whole Mass setting.
• Listen to the same one several times. Chant rewards familiarity more than novelty.
• Read the text first, in translation. The music is a setting of words, not a mood.