Complete Encyclopaedia of Music/A/Antiphony

by John Weeks Moore

Antiphony. A term used by the ancients, in opposition to homophony, which implied a performance wholly in unison. Antiphony also signified certain symphonies performed by various voices, or instruments, in octaves and fifteenths to each other, but was more particularly applied to the practice of singing anthems and hymns alternately, or in dialogue. This word was afterwards used by the primitive Christians in the latter sense. St. Ignatius has generally the credit of its revival, and Ambrosius of introducing it into the Latin church. The prestent

signification of the word extends to certain short passages occasionally drawn from Scripture, and allusive to the particular feast or celebration of the passing day.