Gradual

The Gradual (Latin: graduale) is a chant or hymn in the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist for many Christian denominations. Gradual can also refer to a book collecting all the musical items of the Mass.

The folio from this gradual with polyphonic masses contains the Missa Salve diva parens, from Kyrie I, by Jacob Obrecht (Hobrecht). Obrecht (1458-1505) was the son of the Ghent city trumpeter Willem Hobrecht. The composer Obrecht was appointed choirmaster at Cambrai Cathedral in 1484. Following his dismissal for mismanagement, he was given the corresponding post (succentor) at St Donatian's in Bruges. He was granted six months leave in 1487 to go and work at the court of Ferrara, at the request of Duke Ercole I d'Este. He was subsequently connected with Our Lady's in Antwerp between 1492 and 1496, before being reappointed in Bruges on 31 December 1498. He travelled to the court of Ferrara for a second time in 1504, where he died of plague in 1505.

Obrecht's portrait was painted by Hans Memling in 1496.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 3 minutes): Johannes Ockeghem: Kyrie from Missa L'homme armé