Le nombre musical grégorien

Le nombre musical grégorien was written by Dom André Mocquereau, a monk of the Abbey of Solesmes, to serve as the definitive theoretical foundation for the rhythmic interpretation of Gregorian chant. Published in 1908 by Desclée, this foundational text was born out of the Liturgical Movement, which sought to restore the purity of ancient musical traditions within the Roman Catholic Church. It provided the intellectual rigor necessary to support the Solesmes method of singing, which had become the international standard for plainchant at the time.

The design and pedagogical approach of the work reflect Mocquereau’s meticulous attention to manuscript evidence, emphasizing the fluidity and nuances of the rhythmic signs he promoted. By examining the subtle interplay between the melody and the Latin text, Mocquereau sought to move away from rigid, metronomic interpretations. The book was received with significant influence, shaping generations of choir directors and musicologists, though it also became the subject of long-standing scholarly debate regarding the interpretation of early neumatic notation.