Views from the Choir Loft

1904 Peter Wagner Kyriale

Corpus Christi Watershed · March 19, 2013

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* * 1904 Peter Wagner Kyriale (Modern Notation)

• Kyriale : die gewöhnlichen Messgesänge nach unsern ältesten Handschriften bearbeitet und in moderne Notation umgeschrieben • Dr. Peter Wagner, Direktor der von Sr. Heiligkeit dem Papste LEO XIII, approbierten Gregorianishen Akademie und ordentlichem Professor für Musikwissenschaft un Kirchenmusik an der Universität zu Freiburg i. d. Schweiz. • (63 p.) • 1904 Graz : Verlagsbuchhandlung “Styria” : : 1904 : : • Dr. Peter Wagner’s Kyriale of 1904 in modern notation. •

KYRIALE. Die gewöhnlichen Messgesänge nach unseren ältesten Handschriften bearbeitet und in moderne Notation umgeschrieben von Dr. Peter Wagner, Direktor der von Sr. Heiligkeit dem Papste LEO XIII. approbierten Gregorianischen Akademie und ordentlichem Professor für Musikwissenschaft und Kirchenmusik an der Universität zu Freiburg in der Schweiz.

KYRIALE. The Ordinary Chants of the Mass according to our oldest manuscripts, edited and transcribed into modern notation by Dr. P. Wagner, Director of the Gregorian Academy approved by His Holiness Pope Leo XIII, and Ordinary Professor of Musicology and Church Music at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland.

They distinguish the Swiss city (Fribourg) from the larger German city of Freiburg im Breisgau.

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

Simplified Accomp. • Schubert’s “Ave Maria.”

Sometimes the organist must simultaneously serve as the CANTOR. (Those who work in the field of church music know exactly what I’m talking about.) One of our contributors composed this simplified keyboard accompaniment for Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” a piece which is frequently requested for Catholic funerals and weddings. In terms of the discussion about whether that piece is too theatrical (‘operatic’) for use in Church, I will leave that discussion to others. All I know is, many church musicians out there will appreciate this simplified version.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Reminder” — Month of April (2026)

On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. It couldn’t be easier to subscribe! Just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Simplified Accompaniment (Easter Hymn)

Number 36 in the Brébeuf Hymnal is “At the Lamb’s high feast we sing,” an English translation for Ad Cenam Agni Próvidi (which was called “Ad Régias Agni Dapes” starting in 1631). As of this morning, you can download a simplified keyboard accompaniment for it. Simply click here and scroll to the bottom. Many organists are forced to serve simultaneously as both CANTOR and ACCOMPANIST. In spite of what some claim, this can be difficult—which explains why choirmasters appreciate these simplified keyboard accompaniments. Sadly, many readers will click that link but forget to scroll to the bottom where the simplified PDF file is located.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Anima Christi”

I received a request for an organ accompaniment I created way back in 2007 for the “Anima Christi” Gregorian Chant. You can download this PDF file which has the score in plainsong followed by a keyboard accompaniment. Many melodies have been paired with “Anima Christi” over the centuries, but this is—perhaps—the most common one.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)

On Good Friday during the middle ages, the pope privately recited THE ENTIRE PSALTER. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself by reading this passage by Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen (d. 1943). His famous book—called “Liturgical Law: A Handbook Of The Roman Liturgy”—was published by the Benjamin Herder Book Company, which was the American arm (operating out of St. Louis, Missouri) of one of the world’s most significant Catholic publishers. Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen was born in Switzerland but spent his career between the Benedictine monasteries at Conception (Missouri) and Mount Angel (Oregon). His 1931 masterpiece, Liturgical Law can be downloaded as a PDF file … 467 pages!

—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