Views from the Choir Loft

1920 Solesmes Liber Usualis (Fragment)

Corpus Christi Watershed · March 19, 2013

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* * 1920 Solesmes Liber Usualis (Fragment)

• Paroissien Romain : contenant la messe et l’office, pour tous les dimanches et fêtes de I. et de II. classe. Chant Grégorien extrait de l’edition vaticane et signes rythmiques des Bénedictins de Solesmes. Book in French 1920 : : Société de Saint Jean L’évangeliste (SOCIÉTÉ DE SAINT JEAN L’ÉVANGELISTE) Desclée & Cie Imprimeurs du Saint-Siège et de la Sacrée Congrégation des Rites ROME, TOURNAI •

* * 1921 Solesmes Liber Usualis (Fragment)

• Liber usualis missae et officii pro Dominicis et festis I. vel II classis : cum cantu gregoriano ex editione Vaticana adamussim excerpto et rhythmicis signis in subsidium cantorum a solesmensibus monachis diligenter ornato. Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes. xxvii, [1], 1605, 13 p. : music ; 19 cm. 1921 Romae ; Tornaci : Typis Societatis S. Joannis Evang., Desclée & Socii • Mocquereau’s 1921 Liber Usualis. Interesting (but used earlier?) Preface, in Latin. •

* * 1954 Liber Usualis (Solesmes) in modern notation (Fragment)

• LIBER USUALIS : Missae et Officii : Pro Dominicis et Festis cum cantu Gregoriano quem ex editione typica in recentioris musicae notulas translatum solesmenses monachi rhythmicis signis diligenter ornaverunt Author: Solesmes Publishing Information: : : 1954 : : Typis Societatis S. Joannis Evang. : : Descleé et Soc. : : S. Sedis Apostolicae et Sacrorum Rituum Congregationis Typographi : : PARISIIS, TORNACI, ROMAE : : 1954 • There are no differences between the 1924 version • Compare the HENRI DU MONT MASS in modern notation transcribed by Solesmes •

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

PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 28 December)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph (28 Dec. 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The FAUXBOURDON verses for the Communion Antiphon are particularly gorgeous. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Christmas Midnight Mass (“Ad Missam In Nocte”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is simple, but quite beautiful. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “Music List” (4th Sunday of Advent)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 21 December 2025, which is the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is the famous “Roráte Coeli” and the fauxbourdon setting of the COMMUNION is exquisite. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

What does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”

One of the things informed critics have frequently praised vis-à-vis the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal has to do with its careful treatment of the ancient hymns vs. the “Urbanite” hymns. This topic I had believed to be fairly well understood—but I was wrong. The reason I thought people knew about it is simple; in the EDITIO VATICANA 1908 Graduale Romanum (as well as the 1913 Liber Antiphonarius) both versions are provided, right next to each other. You can see what I mean by examining this PDF file from the Roman Gradual of 1908. Most people still don’t understand that the Urbanite versions were never adopted by any priests or monks who sang the Divine Office each day. Switching would have required a massive amount of effort and money, because all the books would need to be changed.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Santo Santo Santo”

Those searching for a dignified, brief, simple, bright setting of SANCTUS in Spanish (“Santo Santo Santo”) are invited to download this Setting in honor of Saint John Brébeuf (organist & vocalist). I wonder if there would be any interest in me recording a rehearsal video for this piece.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Pope Leo XIV on Sacred Music

On 5 December 2025, Pope Leo XIV made this declaration with regard to liturgical music.

—Corpus Christi Watershed