by Marie Therese Levey. Published by Sisters of Saint Joseph Generalate, 2021. Reviewed by Ray Stedman

Some 40 years ago, I wrote that the liturgy is a treasure, and that we need only lift the lid to experience its wonders.

Marie Therese Levey has certainly done that and revealed much more; a history of huge complexity, discovery, loss, recovery and discernment leading to the preservation of the Church’s nearly 2,000-year music heritage, proper to the liturgy. Truly something to savour, to delight in, something which is uniquely ours.

Levey tells the story of the plain chant settings of the common of the Mass (the Kyriale). The story’s strands are myriad, the complexities far ranging. Her management of them is virtuosic. With copious footnotes, cross-references and a huge bibliography, this is a scholarly undertaking. This is a book for dipping into, gleaning knowledge each time.

Persons interested in or involved with the liturgy, particularly its music, will be reminded of their heritage. However, it is not a book of music — but many scores are available online.

Today the Mass is frequently burdened by the four-song, three-chord, two-strum school of music. This book reminds us that liturgical music should connect us with the Divine.

Two further books may interest the reader of The Place of the Kyriale. The first is: The Story of Christian Music by Andrew Wilson-Dickson and the other: Big Bangs by Howard Goodall. The former includes material on the early Church and has a very broad canvas. The latter is more pointedly about the progress of art of music and includes material relating to the Church because so much of what we take for granted as music has its genesis in the Christian Church. Both are quite light weight but they add context to Levey's discussion and are quite enjoyable.

A note: The A4, perfect bound format of The Place of the Kyriale is heavy (681gm) and awkward to handle. A smaller type face, narrower leading and a smaller page size might be considered for any future reprint.

Tui Motu Magazine. Issue 265 November 2021: 21