Musical Tradition and its Transmitters between Synagogue and Church

The following inquiries will concern themselves with two tasks: (1) to examine the concept of 'national folksong' and its applicability in the instance of the musical tradition of the old Synagogue; (2) the attitude of Western music historians to the question of Jewish influence on early Church music. As will be seen, we are convinced that a purely musical examination of the problem will not yield any truly cogent arguments or proofs. Unlike theology or philosophy, whose ideas may be 'in the air' of a period forming part of the Zeitgeist and its forces, the melodies, rhythms and forms that correspond to such intangible ideas are not 'in the air;' if anything, they are perhaps 'in the earth,' but that is another matter. They constitute part of the various established traditions of a group and were invented, performed, and handed down by individuals known or unknown - by persons, not by the written word or notated sound; for the period with which we are concerned did not possess any musical notation. It will be our task to trace, and if possible to identify the persons or groups of persons who acted as carriers of the liturgico-musical tradition between the institutions of Judaism and Christianity.