1934 Gregorian Accompaniment Treatise (Bragers)

Corpus Christi Watershed · March 19, 2013

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* * 1934 Achille P. Bragers Gregorian Accompaniment Treatise (PDF)

• A Short Treatise on Gregorian Accompaniment : According to the Principles of the Monks of Solesmes. • 80+ pages • Author: Achille P. Bragers, Member of the Faculty of the Pius X School of Liturgical Music of New York City • Publishing Information: Carl Fischer, Inc. : : 62 Cooper Square : : New York, N. Y. : : Boston: Metropolitan Theatre : : Chicago: Kimball Hall : : Copyright 1934 by Carl Fischer, Inc. : : Printed in the U. S. A. •

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

“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

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