This thesis deals with relationship of music and theology. It stems from history of development of the philosophic judgement on the notion of ?musica? in antiquity as well as from the contemporary conceptions and definitions of music. Subsequently it proceeds to the presentation of selected writings of both historical and contemporary theologists? dealing with the subject of the art of music. Based on their analysis this thesis comes to the conclusion that a relationship between theology and music indeed exists and their dialog mutually enriches both of these disciplines. Music transcends the limited capabilities of speech and with its own instruments it speaks about the infinite God. This central thought at which the thesis arrives, is concretely documented in musical activities and pieces of work by selected composers of classical music.

The Abstract The Hymn and its Tradition in Late Medieval Bohemia Veronika Mráčková, Charles University, Prague The present thesis concerns the monophonic and polyphonic office hymns preserved in late medieval Bohemian sources. The author is mainly focused on the repertoire of the hymns written in Strahov Codex from around 1467. This manuscript of uncertain provenance contains an enormous collection of three- and four- voice polyphonic hymns which show plenty of the local characteristics. These domestic traits may be identified not only through texts devoted to indigenous Saints, but also through the melodies which form the cantus firmus in the upper voice of the hymns. The identification of these monophonic tunes in other plainchant sources could help us to determine the origin of Strahov Codex. Additionally, it is clear that this mensural manuscript contains not only music of a high artistic standard, but also a number of less polished compositions, and that it is thus an important witness to the existence of a wide range of daily musical activities in late medieval Bohemia. A crucial part of this dissertation is a critical edition of the monophonic hymn tunes preserved in Roudnice Psalter, as well as an edition of the selected polyphonic hymns written in Strahov Codex.

The reception of the german dialect of the gregorian chant between 1900 an aprox. 1950 (Abstract) In today's musicology, the germanic chant dialect («germanischer Choraldialekt») ist nearly unimportant. Especially in the first half of the 20th century, it was very different. In particular, the invention of the term by Peter Wagner of Fribourg in 1925 promoted the perception of a melodic phenomenon, which can be found equally in many sources of plain chant in central europe. The oldest witnesses of the phenomenon are adiastematic sources, the youngest ones were restored, restituted or newly composed in the first half of the 20th century. So this tradition is existing for more than 1000 years. The present work examines how this tradition has been scientifically, historically and practically elaborated in the last century. The chapter on the history of research shows that the phenomenon of the germanic chant dialect was still considered a local tradition of individual dioceses or monasteries in the 19th century. Michael Hermesdorff from Trier was the first to recognize striking similarities between these fragmented traditions; his pupil Peter Wagner founded the basics of the scientific research. Not all musicologists agreed with Wagner's findings and explanations, but his term and his theory prevailed. In the...

Music Culture of the Elisabethan Convent in Prague Jakub Michl Abstract The Sisters of Saint Elizabeth (Elizabethan Nuns) were a spiritual order primarily focused on administering healthcare. Therefore, music was never the main focus of the order's activities, as it often was in others, particularly educational orders. However, thanks to the uninterrupted historical continuity of the Prague convent, which was exempted from the restrictions of Joseph II's era, many sources illustrating the convent music culture were preserved, including an extensive collection of music. The dissertation aims to describe this music culture in the context of the order structure and its personal hierarchy, as part of the city of Prague and its civic institutions, and in its everyday life and characteristics such as enclosure, hospital service and recreational activities. Music in convents was always tightly bound to liturgy. In the case of the Elizabethan order, significant music production was focused on the order's main liturgical feasts such as S. Elizabeth, S. Francis of Assisi, Porciuncula, Christmas, Epiphany, Easter and also memorial services for deceased patrons of the convent. The convent cooperated with many lay musicians and composers such as F. X. Brixi, Z. V. Suchý, F. X. Labler, J. N. Bayer, among others. At the...