Gradual
(GRA-joo-ul)


[Lat.]

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1. The fourth sung item of a Proper Mass, sung between the Epistle and the Alleluia (or Tract). The texts of the gradual come primarily from the Psalms, and the melodies are generally melismatic and usually responsorial.
2. Originally, a book containing the texts of the Gradual of the Mass. It has since developed into a book containing all the music of the Mass sung by the choir.

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