Views from the Choir Loft

Yet Another Example Added I Just Had To Share

Jeff Ostrowski · March 13, 2013

IKE MANY OF YOU, I read voraciously about sacred music, liturgy, and music in general. I remember years ago reading through a 350-page book by David Dubal in about two hours with 100% comprehension. The subject of the book was pianists, so I just ate it up. On the other hand, if I spent two hours reading a book on physics, I probably wouldn’t even get through four pages . . . More on this in a minute.

In the past, I’ve written about the phenomenon of the brain becoming “aware” of something, and then seeing it out of the blue within 24 hours. If you want to read my articles about this, Google “Learn A New Word, See It Within 24 Hours” plus my name.

Well, here’s another example. A few days ago (on Sunday) I composed a blog entry where I spoke about LIGHT as an analogy for God’s Love, and the broader theme of LIGHT in the Liturgy. Within 48 hours, what do I read in Sacred Music (1987, Vol. 114 No. 2)?

Speaking of “love of God,” it illustrates how unclear the English genitive case is. “Love of God” could mean God’s love or the love we have for God.

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

About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

“Tonus Solemnior” • How old is it?

In the 1962 Missal, a section called “præfationes in tono solemniore” contains ornate melodies for the Preface. An article posted on the blog of the Church Music Association of America claims the tone comes from “the late 19th century” and said its elimination “is one of the very few good things which the post-Conciliar reform did for Gregorian chant.” The author said: “The Roman solemn preface tone is already beautiful enough, there was no need to give a more Romantic feel.”

Some have asked us whether the tonus solemnior comes from “the late 19th century.” It does not. Their author was wrong by at least 400 years. I have seen this tone in MSS from the 1400s—and it may go back even further. Here is an example from 1494AD. And here’s another from the 1400s. The FSSP priests use these tones on high feasts, and the effect is unforgettable.

—Jeff Ostrowski

6 January 2022 • Quick!

A short version of the INTROIT for the feast of the Epiphany has been added to the Saint René Goupil Gregorian Chant Website.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Confusing Feasts of Christmas

Whether one considers the Missale Vetustum or the post-conciliar calendar—or even the 1908 calendar—the feasts which follow Christmas are very confusing. Last year I created this comparison chart. I hope you find it helpful. As far as I can tell, my chart is the first effort to carefully detail the changes made to post-Christmas feasts (unless we also count the rather basic one by Lauren Pristas).

—Jeff Ostrowski