Views from the Choir Loft

1936 Graduale (Dr. Franz Xavier Mathias)

Corpus Christi Watershed · March 19, 2013

HE FOLLOWING BOOK has been made available for free download courtesy of the Jean de Lalande Library. If you appreciate these efforts, please consider making a donation by using the link at the top of the page.

* * 1936 Dr. Franz Xavier Mathias Graduale (1 of 3)

VOL (1) : : Adventus, nativitatis, Epiphaniae usque ad Dominicam vi. post Epiphaniam. • Pages 1-139 •

* * 1936 Dr. Franz Xavier Mathias Graduale (2 of 3)

VOL (2) : : A septuagesima usque ad feriam VI. post octavam ascensionis. • Pages 141-355 •

* * 1936 Dr. Franz Xavier Mathias Graduale (3 of 3)

VOL (3) : : A vigilia Pentecostes usque ad Dominicam ultimam post Pentecosten. • Pages 357-490 •

• Organum Comitans ad Proprium de Tempore • quod JUXTA EDITIONEM VATICANAM HARMONICE ORNAVIT Dr. Fr. X. Mathias, Regens seminarii et professor musicae sacrae in academia wilhelma argentinensi • Fr. Xavier Mathias • 1936 Editio Quarta • Ratisbonae : Sumptibus Friderici Pustet •

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

Why Text Only?

Why do hymns in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal give so many optional “text only” versions of the hymns? It’s easier to demonstrate than explain. Consider Hymn #24, which allows the director to choose a wonderful melody and easily apply it to the text. Hymnal editors knew about the value of “text only” versions for centuries, but this was gradually forgotten in Catholic books. In 2018, the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal rediscovered what should never have disappeared in the first place!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Choral Eavesdropping” • 15 Sept. 2022

If you enjoy eavesdropping, here’s a rehearsal excerpt (mp3) of my volunteers singing the exercise I posted last week. This is the second time we’ve used it, and I can definitely hear improvement. You can download this choral warm-up for free.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Have You Done This?

Friends, have you done this yet? I’m talking about subscribing to our free mailing list. We beg you! Do this as soon as possible. Scroll to the bottom of any article, and you will see the place you input your email.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“I vividly remember going to church with him in Bournemouth. He was a devout Roman Catholic and it was soon after the Church had changed the liturgy (from Latin to English). My grandfather obviously didn’t agree with this and made all the responses very loudly in Latin while the rest of the congregation answered in English. I found the whole experience quite excruciating, but my grandfather was oblivious. He simply had to do what he believed to be right.”

— Simon Tolkien (2003)