The development of antiphonal music in Malta until the 1903 Motu Proprio

Abstract

The composition of antiphonal music in Malta is not just plainchant or polyphonic chant although both forms are used as well. As many Maltese people dedicate most of their time to voluntarily organise the yearly religious feast, during the early 19th Century, various Maltese composers went to study in Naples, wherein they studied the opera and operatic style. Upon their return to the Maltese islands, that is in a time when the Catholic Church was highly influential on the Maltese community. most reflected their opera-related knowledge in their compositions in a time. They created their own orchestra and started being invited to play in various parishes throughout the religious patron-saint feast. The determinant factor that deemed a Maestro di Cappella (as these composers were being called) successful or otherwise, was his capability (or lack thereof) to compose an alluring antiphon. The written antiphon was the same as the one sung in the beginning and at end of a Psalm or a Responsory. However, this time not with plainchant but with a full orchestration; thereby leaving a strong and lasting impact. This was the apotheosis of the yearly celebrations for the devotees, an experience they remained reminiscing about for following year. Till this very day, there are still certain villages that compete with others with regards to their antiphon. Many of the Maltese traditional parishes retained their traditional antiphon while others opted to commission a more modern-style alternative. This study focuses on the period preceding the Motu` Proprio as promulgated by Pope Pius X on the 22nd November 1903. The rationale underlying the exclusion of the Motu` Proprio from this study is that considering the abundance of changes brought about by virtue of the aforesaid Motu` Proprio, I firmly believe that same should be scrutinised separately. I hope that you, as a reader, will find pleasure in reading this study as much as I enjoyed researching and writing it.