A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Pneuma

PNEUMA (from the Greek πνεῦμα, a breathing; Lat. Pneuma, vel Neuma). A form of Ligature, sung at the end of certain Plain Chaunt Melodies, to an inarticulate vowel-like sound, quite unconnected with the verbal text; in which particular it differs from the Perielesis, which is always sung to an articulate syllable. [See Ligature; Perielesis.]

The use of the Pneuma can be traced back to a period of very remote antiquity quite certainly as far as the age of S. Augustine (350–430). Since then, it has been constantly employed in the Offices of the Roman Church; more especially at High Mass, on Festivals, in connection with the Alleluia of the Gradual, from which it takes its Tone, as in the following Alleluia (Tone 1), sung on Easter Sunday:—

The Alleluia is first sung twice by two Cantors,, and then repeated, in full Choir, with the addition of the Pneuma, also sung twice through. The two Cantors then intone the Versus, and the Choir respond; after which the Alleluia is again sung by the Cantors, and the Pneuma by the Choir. The Preface to the Ratisbon Gradual directs that, the Pneuma shall be sung upon the vowel A. There is no connection between this kind of Neuma and that described under Notation, vol. ii. p. 467.

[ W. S. R. ]