The White Hat Guide to the Mass

During the 14th and 15th centuries the most common way to compose a mass was to use a single melody, usually plainsong, as a cantus firmus and weave the other parts around this cantus firmus sung in long hold notes in the tenor part. Over time the melody for the cantus firmus occasionally strayed into the secular (and sometimes downright earthy) world. The nature of Renaissance notation made the made the melody of the cantus firmus clearly visible and recognisable to the performaers, but the lower classes standing (and at this period they invariably stood) at the back of the church it would often be difficult to relate the tenor in its long held notes of no specific rhythm to a specific plainsong. If on the other hand the tenor was a well-known tavern song then you might expect a few quiet smiles amongst the congregation with the cantus firmus followed intently with the non-liturgical words sung under the breath.

Sometimes

Some notable masses

Selected sheet music of masses

Some forthcoming performances in Australia of masses