Gothic cathedral acoustics shaped the sound of Gregorian chant
Evidence
The stone walls and floors of Norman and Gothic cathedrals produced not only an abnormally long reverberation time (six seconds or more) but also reflected sounds of low and medium frequencies as well, discriminating against high frequencies above 2,000 hertz owing to the greater absorption of the walls and air in that range. Anyone who has heard monks chanting plainsong in one of these old buildings will never forget the effect: the voices seem to issue from no point but suffuse the building like perfume. — Schafer, Murray R, The Soundscape- Our Sonic Environment…, 418
Categorization
- QUESTION: The acoustic data on Gothic reverberation (six-plus seconds, high-frequency discrimination) invites verification and further reading on sacred-space acoustics.
- corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Schafer, Murray R, The Soundscape- Our Sonic Environment…, 418
- XREF: connects to: Ancient builders sited and shaped structures with acoustic intent. — Schafer, Murray R, The Soundscape- Our Sonic Environment…, 721
Broader Connections
- Ancient builders sited and shaped structures with acoustic intent.
#expands(0.75) — Schafer, Murray R, The Soundscape- Our Sonic Environment…, 721