Ambrosian Chant - The antiphonaries of Brezzo di Bedero

There are hundreds of manuscripts or Milanese “codices” which contain chants for the liturgy. Of particular importance are:
- 34 winter antiphonaries (for celebrations from Advent to Easter) and - 31 summer ones (from Easter to Advent) with antiphons, which are chants for the Mass and choruses to alternate with the chant of psalms for the Office
- 12 psalter-hymn books for hymns and psalms
- 9 processionals which include chants for the penitence processions prescribed in the rite
- 7 Offices for the departed
- About 50 different types of abstracts

As far as the Ambrosian codices in particular are concerned, there are a great number with rhomboid or “gothic” notations – typical of Ambrosian Chant.

Another writing characteristic regards B flat. Sometimes it is written with the letter b, but other times it is indicated with a green or blue line – or even brown or red – perhaps only to be found in our manuscripts. It is not unusual that the flat is not even indicated, leaving the cantor to decide whether the sound should be natural or flat.

Extract from “IL CANTO AMBROSIANO” by Mons. Luciano Migliavacca – 1986 NED.