Views from the Choir Loft

1947 Graduale (Achille P. Bragers)

Corpus Christi Watershed · March 19, 2013

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* * 1947 Bragers Graduale (1 of 2)

• Proprium de tempore. The proper of the time. • Achille P Bragers • Translations of the texts in French and English – Part I = 180 pages – Part II = 202 pages • 1947 • Boston, McLaughlin & Reilly (pub. numbers 1400 and 1401) • Brager’s Organ Accompaniments to the Graduale Romanum • In two Volumes: the entire PROPER OF THE TIME. •

* * 1947 Bragers Graduale (2 of 2)

• Proprium de tempore. The proper of the time. • Achille P Bragers • Translations of the texts in French and English – Part I = 180 pages – Part II = 202 pages • 1947 • Boston, McLaughlin & Reilly (pub. numbers 1400 and 1401) • Brager’s Organ Accompaniments to the Graduale Romanum • In two Volumes: the entire PROPER OF THE TIME. •

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

William Byrd • Simple “Agnus Dei” Canon

Time flies! Back in July, I posted a PDF setting of a perfect canon by William Byrd (d. 1623) arranged as an AGNUS DEI for three voices. Last Sunday, we sang that arrangement with our volunteer choir. To hear a ‘live’ recording of it, click here (Mp3). In my humble opinion, this would be a perfect piece for a choir just beginning to experiment with polyphony.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Glory To God” • (For Choir + Congregation)

I wish to thank everyone for the nice comments I received vis-à-vis my Glory To God setting for Choir & Congregation. A gentleman with a musical doctorate from Indiana University wrote: “Love this setting so much. And I will pray, as you asked, for your return to composition more fully. You are very very good.” A female choir director wrote: “I love your harmonizations, your musicality, and the wonderful interplay you have with dissonance and consonance in your music. So fun to listen to, and great for intellect, heart, and soul!” A young woman from California wrote: “Thank you for releasing your new Glory To God in honor of Saint Noel Chabanel. I'm enjoying reading through the various parts and listening to your recordings.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

William Byrd • “Mass for Five Voices”

Our volunteer choir is learning the “Sanctus” from William Byrd’s Mass for Five Voices. You can hear a short excerpt (recorded last Sunday) but please ignore the sound of babies crying: Mp3 recording. We still have work to do—but we’re on the right track. Once we have some of the tuning issues fixed, I desire to use it as an example proving volunteers can sing complicated polyphony. — One of our volunteer choirs also sang that SANCTUS on 24 September 2023, and you can listen to how that came out.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Far from dreading an encounter with the Iroquois, Fr. Garnier often told us he would be quite content to fall into their hands and remain their prisoner if—while they were torturing him—he at least had a chance of instructing them as long as his torments lasted. If they allowed him to live, it would afford him a golden opportunity to work for their conversion, which was now impossible, since the gateway to their country was closed as long as they were our enemies.

— Father Ragueneau (Jesuit Relations)