Music in the Dominican Convent of Marenberg: in Search of Sources

Abstract

The Dominican monastery in Marenberg (Radlje ob Dravi), founded in 1251, was dissolved in 1782 by Emperor Joseph II. The general history of the monastic community is well researched, but there is no study of the role played by music. Information on music from the early days of the monastery is sparse, becoming more tangible only from the 17th century onwards. The convent chronicle of the early 18th century contains numerous details about nuns who devoted themselves to music. Some of them were trained singers, others played various instruments, and some even composed. The four antiphonaries of Marenberg survived the eventful history of the monastery. These manuscripts are presented to the public for the first time in the present article.

Keywords

• marenberg
• dominicans
• dissolution of monasteries
• liturgical music
• antiphonars