Views from the Choir Loft

“Beatus Vir Editions” Announces New Publication

Guest Author · September 1, 2017

WE HAVE RECEIVED word from BEATUS VIR EDITIONS of a new publication with fresh contemporary settings by Roman Catholic composer Royce Nickel.

Press release by BEATUS VIR EDITIONS:

UBLISHED IN HONOR of Saint Therese of Lisieux, this comprehensive collection contains settings of the Lectionary Chants for every Sunday in the Roman calendar, the principal solemnities and feasts, and for various sacred rites, including weddings, funerals, and confirmation. There is a Vocalist’s Edition and an Organist’s Edition, each including the complete cycle of psalm and alleluia settings. The Psalm Responses and Alleluias are set in a simple yet beautiful modal style: melodic simplicity guarantees ease of use for cantor and congregation, while the modal style evokes the beauty of the sacred. For the Alleluias, seven different melodies are provided, changing in the course of the Church year to mark the seasons. The verses to be sung by cantor or choir employ the traditional Gregorian psalm tones. Whereas the psalm settings use the simpler Office tones, the Gospel Acclamation verses feature the more ornate Mass tones, the greater solemnity of style heralding the reading of the Gospel, the high point of the Liturgy of the Word. The Organist’s Edition conveniently presents the Responsorial Psalm and the Gospel Acclamation for each feast on facing pages, avoiding the need for page turns. An appendix provides a scriptural index of the psalm settings for purposes of liturgical planning.

A sample page (Psalm and Alleluia) can be downloaded:

* * Sample page courtesy of BEATUS VIR EDITIONS

We are grateful for this notification by BEATUS VIR EDITIONS and hope that other publishing companies will continue to contact us with new offerings so we can help spread the word.

The book is being sold through Lulu publishing:

* * Lulu.com • Organ Edition

* * Lulu.com • Vocalist Edition

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”

Liturgical reformers who gained power after Vatican II frequently caused great suffering to musicians. With the stroke of a pen, they sometimes make changes that would require thousands—or even millions—of man hours (work undertaken by composers and editors). The Sprinkling Rite during Eastertide is but one tiny example. The version given in that PDF document was the original melody for Roman Missal, Third Edition. Some still prefer that version. However, at the last moment, an “unknown hand” tinkered with a few notes in the antiphon. Those who examine the current edition can verify this with their own eyes.

—Jeff Ostrowski

‘Sarum’ Good Friday?

Plainsong of the Roman Rite has many variants—i.e. slight ‘variations’ or ‘alterations’ made to the ancient melodies. Variants often thrive in particular religious orders. Likewise, before Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church, Gregorian Chant variants were frequently associated with individual cathedrals in England: Hereford, Lincoln, Salisbury, and so forth. In the early 20th century, the (Anglican) organist at Westminster Abbey married “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” to this beautiful variant melody from England. Those who sing Gregorian Chant on Good Friday will recognize the melody. What do you think of this pairing?

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Eb Organ Postlude”

Gustav Adolf Merkel (d. 1885) was a German organist, teacher, and composer. Although a Lutheran himself, he held the appointment at the (Roman Catholic) Cathedral of Dresden from 1864 until his death. You can download his Organ Postlude in E-Flat, which I like very much. He has an interesting way of marking the pedal notes. What do you think?

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026

How well do you know your Gregorian hymns? Do you recognize the tune inserted into the bass line on this score? For many years, we sang the entire Mass in Gregorian chant—and I mean everything. As a result, it would be difficult to find a Gregorian hymn I don’t recognize instantly. Only decades later did I realize (with sadness) that this skill cannot be ‘monetized’… This particular melody is used for a very famous Gregorian hymn, printed in the LIBER USUALIS. Do you recognize it? Send me an email with the correct words, and I promise to tell everybody I meet about your prowess!

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)

I remember singing “Ubi Cáritas” by Maurice Duruflé at the conservatory. I was deeply moved by it. However, some feel Duruflé’s version isn’t suitable for small choirs since it’s written for 6 voices and the bass tessitura is quite low. That’s why I was absolutely thrilled to discover this “Ubi cáritas” (SATB) for smaller choirs by Énemond Moreau, who studied with OSCAR DEPUYDT (d. 1925), an orphan who became a towering figure of Catholic music. Depuydt’s students include: Flor Peeters (d. 1986); Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (d. 1953); Arthur Meulemans (d. 1966); Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989); and Gustaaf Nees (d. 1965). Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #19705. When I came across the astonishing English translation for “Ubi Cáritas” by Monsignor Ronald Knox—matching the Latin’s meter—I decided to add those lyrics as an option (for churches which have banned Latin). My wife and I made this recording to give you some idea how it sounds.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Holy, Holy, Holy”

For vigil Masses on Saturday (a.k.a. “anticipated” Masses) we use this simpler setting of the “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989), a Belgian priest, organist, composer, and music educator who ultimately succeeded another ‘Jules’ (CANON JULES VAN NUFFEL) as director of the Lemmensinstituut in Belgium. Although I could be wrong, my understanding is that the LEMMENSINSTITUUT eventually merged with “Catholic University of Leuven” (originally founded in 1425). That’s the university Fulton J. Sheen attended.

—Jeff Ostrowski