Title: Plainsong for Musicians

Author: Dom J. H. Desrocquettes, O.S.B.

Publisher: Rushworth & Dreaper

Place of Publication: Liverpool, England

Imprimatur: October 24, 1955

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 36

Language: English

Plainsong for Musicians by Dom J. H. Desrocquettes, O.S.B. is a concise but highly specialized study of Gregorian chant, plainsong rhythm, phrasing, and performance practice, written specifically to help trained musicians understand the distinctive principles of chant.

Published by Rushworth & Dreaper of Liverpool, the work approaches Gregorian chant from a musician’s perspective, explaining how its notation, rhythm, phrasing, and modality differ from ordinary measured music while remaining connected to broader musical principles.

Desrocquettes develops the subject through a progressive series of stages. Topics include the regularity and grouping of notes, the ictus, compound beats, arsis and thesis, chironomy, melodic phrasing, dynamics, pauses, and the larger rhythmic unity of an entire chant.

Numerous examples of Gregorian musical notation appear throughout the text, illustrating how individual notes and phrases are grouped and interpreted in actual chant.

The preface places the work directly within the tradition of Catholic liturgical music and discusses the challenges of transmitting Gregorian chant through written instruction rather than oral training. Desrocquettes writes from Quarr Abbey on the Isle of Wight and identifies the book’s purpose as helping musicians develop a clearer understanding of Gregorian technique and performance.

The title page also bears a period ownership stamp from the World Library of Sacred Music, Cincinnati, Ohio, adding an interesting American sacred-music provenance to this British publication.

KEY FEATURES

• Specialized study of Gregorian chant and plainsong

• Written by Benedictine Dom J. H. Desrocquettes, O.S.B.

• Published by Rushworth & Dreaper, Liverpool

• Imprimatur dated October 24, 1955

• 36 pages

• Numerous Gregorian chant notation examples

• Detailed discussion of the rhythmic ictus

• Explores arsis, thesis and chironomy

• Covers phrasing, dynamics and treatment of pauses

• Written specifically for trained musicians

• Strong Catholic liturgical and sacred-music interest

• Quarr Abbey, Isle of Wight association

• World Library of Sacred Music, Cincinnati provenance

• Uncommon specialist reference for Gregorian chant study

CONDITION

Please see the photos to assess the item's condition. Additional images are available upon request. We ship throughout the U.S. and internationally. International orders are always welcome. Feel free to message us with any questions.

COMBINED SHIPPING IS AVAILABLE ON ALL ORDERS

Carefully curated by Otto's Books LLC – where history meets humanity. Every title we list is hand-selected for its storytelling power, research value, or cultural insight.

08/16/2026

PLAINSONG FOR MUSICIANS DESROCQUETTES 1955 GREGORIAN CHANT SACRED MUSIC

Gregorian Chant Sacred Music Catholic Liturgy

Plainsong Rhythm Chironomy Ictus Benedictine