Tempo

The brisk tempo generally used in hymn singing today is a relatively modern phenomenon which can be traced to revival movements of the 18th and 19th centuries. Little is known about the tempo of medieval hymns sung by trained choirs, but the Reformed churches of the16th century brought in a new element: an untutored congregation, often without accompaniment. Although the original model was no doubt secular folk song, there is evidence that in the course of the next century the tempo gradually slowed to a level that is almost unimaginable by present-day standards. For instance Michael Praetorius* suggested a tempo of 43 to the minim in common time, while Thomas Ravenscroft* used minims...