Sequence

Sequence is a Latin medieval chant sung after the Alleluia* of the Mass on feast days and, like the Alleluia, not usually sung in Lent. The Latin term ‘sequentia’ appears to derive from the function of the chant as one which ‘follows’ the Alleluia, after the pattern: (i) Alleluia incipit, (ii) Alleluia jubilus, (iii) Verse, (iv) Alleluia incipit, (v) Sequence. But it is not certain if this was the original or authentic order of performance, or if it was universally practised. Sequences are usually in paired-strophe form, where the two strophes of each pair have the same melody, but the melody changes for each new pair. (Strict parallelism is not always observed in the early repertory, and...