Neumes

Gregorian Chant...the notes are called "neumes"

At Christmas time, inevitably there is wrapping paper decorated with little, funny square shaped notes...it is Gregorian Chant and the little notes are called "neumes" (sounds like it looks). It is simple stuff to read once you get the hang of it. You can read all about neumes here.

Sanctus is partly from borrowed from Jewish "Kadosh Kadosh Kadosh",  and passed to Christian use pretty early on (Holy Holy Holy).  

Not sure what brought this on, although I was listening to the radio and the "disk jockey" played a Sanctus in chant and one from Verdi's requiem.  So here you go...one is peaceful and the other a barn-burner.

We report you decide.