Views from the Choir Loft

1928 Weinmann Graduale (on modern staves)

Corpus Christi Watershed · March 19, 2013

ERE IS THE bibliographical information: Gradualbuch: Auszug aus der Editio Vaticana mit Choralnoten, Violinschlssel, geeigneter Transposition, Ubersetzung der Texte und Rubriken • Herausgegeben von Dr. Karl Weinmann (1873-1929) • 1928: Regensburg, Rom, New York & Cincinnati • Druck und Verlag von Friedrich Pustet • Typograph des Heil. Apost. Stuhles und der heil. Ritenkongregation • Weinmann’s Editio Vaticana in Pothier’s Gregorian chant notation BUT ON MODERN STAVES. 676 pages

*  PDF Download • “Gradual on Modern Staves” (1 of 4)
—92.2MB • “Introduction” + “Proper of the Time” until Easter Sunday
*  PDF Download • “Gradual on Modern Staves” (2 of 4)
—85.3MB • “Proper of the Time” starting at Easter Sunday
*  PDF Download • “Gradual on Modern Staves” (3 of 4)
—191MB • “Proper of the Saints” + “Votive Masses”
*  PDF Download • “Gradual on Modern Staves” (3 of 4)
—89MB • “Settings for the Ordinary of the Mass (Kyriale)” + “Indices”

BIOGRAPHY: Dr. Karl Weinmann (1873-1929) was a Roman Catholic priest. It is not known whether he was associated in any way with THE SAINT LEO INSTITUTE FOR SACRED MUSIC, which was founded by Father Franz Xaver Mathias in 1913. Fr. Mathias was an Alsatian priest and organist. Dr. Franz Haberl in a letted dated November 8th, 1908 says among other things: “The question of rhythm has not been solved by the publication of the Vatican edition of the chant.” Dr. Weinmann, author of Geschichte der Kirchenmusik (Leipzig, 1908), and professor of the history of Church music at Dr. Haberl’s school in Ratisbon…

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

“Pope Leo XIV Has Announced…”

My pastor asked me to write brief articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The most recent article speaks about the recent announcement by Pope Leo XIV, which does have an impact on church musicians. Scheduled for publication on 2025 08 10th, it’s called: “Pope Leo XIV Has Announced…”

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Chants” • 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

All the chants for 3 August 2025—which is the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)—have been added to the feasts website, as usual under a convenient “drop down” menu. The COMMUNION ANTIPHON (from the book of Wisdom) is stunning. That feast website has been called “the best kept secret of Church music.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Corn” From Heaven?

The Westminster Version of the Sacred Scriptures was produced by Roman Catholics in England and bears a 15 March 1958 IMPRIMATUR from the Archbishop of Westminster. Its IMPRIMI POTEST was given by the director of the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. Sometimes words chosen by translators sound funny to American ears. For instance, one of our Responsorial Psalms has as its refrain: “The Lord gave them bread from heaven.” But the British version has “The Lord gave them corn from heaven.” Feel free to examine this with your own eyes. (It comes from Psalm 77.)

—Jeff Ostrowski

Pope Pius XII Hymnal?

Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Hybrid” Chant Notation?

Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Antiphons Don’t Match?

A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).

—Corpus Christi Watershed