Christian Cyclopedia

Ambrosian chant is a form of Lat. choral music older and in some ways more elaborate than Gregorian chant (see Gregorian Music). Ambrose* introd. hymns and antiphons into the worship of the W and wrote superb hymns still in use. Music of the Ambrosian mass includes ingressa (counter-part of the Introit*), psalmellus and versicle* (counterpart of the Gradual*), cantus (counterpart of the Tract*), alleluia, antiphon* after the Gospel, Offertory,* confractorium (at the place of the Agnus* Dei), transitorium (equivalent of Communion* chant). Characteristic of Ambrosian psalm* tones is lack of an intonation* and mediation. Ambrosian chant is largely limited in regular service use to Milan and a few areas of N It. See also Chant. ACP