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tion" of the Divine Office) should as a whole be restrained and of only a moderate loudness, should be most carefully observed. Only then can the proper variations of loudness and softness, of crescendo and decrescendo, be made.
A group of ascending notes should be characterised by a slight crescendo, and a group of descending notes by a similar decrescendo.
No individual member of the choir (other than the cantors and they only when necesssary), should lead or dominate the choir; but all should strive to sing or recite the words (and indeed every syllable) together at a uniform pace and loudness.
As to speed, it is impossible to lay down any very precise directions. Much depends on the spirit of the piece and on the size of the church. The Dominican Constitutions warn us against being either too fast or too slow. "Et hoc ne Fratres |
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