canto fermo

British  

/ ˈkæntəs ˈfɜːməs, ˈkæntəʊ ˈfɜːməʊ /

noun

1. a melody that is the basis to which other parts are added in polyphonic music

2. the traditional plainchant as prescribed by use and regulation in the Christian Church

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Etymology

Origin of canto fermo

Italian, from Medieval Latin, literally: fixed song

Example Sentences

He exercised his contrapuntal ingenuity by devising schemes for circumventing this troublesome passage in the canto fermo of his life without breaking any of the rules, and finally hit upon the device of running away. 

From Castellinaria and Other Sicilian Diversions by Jones, Henry Festing

They say it is canto fermo, 185 Gregorian, etc.; no matter.

From Letters of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy from Italy and Switzerland by Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Felix

It was founded upon a canto fermo, a melody of an ancient plain song of the Middle Ages, and used in High Mass from a very remote period.

From House of Torment A Tale of the Remarkable Adventures of Mr. John Commendone, Gentleman to King Phillip II of Spain at the English Court by Gull, Cyril Arthur Edward Ranger

In life we have destiny from which there is no escape; in counterpoint we have the canto fermo of which not a note may be altered. 

From Castellinaria and Other Sicilian Diversions by Jones, Henry Festing

I send you a specimen of the mode in which they render the canto fermo, regardless both of the words and the sense.

From Letters of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy from Italy and Switzerland by Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Felix