Views from the Choir Loft

1900 (?) Lepage Gregorian Accompaniment Treatise

Corpus Christi Watershed · March 19, 2013

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* * 1900 (?) Lepage Gregorian Accomp. Treatise (1 of 2)

• FIRST PART • Traité de l’accompagnement du plain-chant : : 1ère Partie : : concernant les notes étrangères aux accords • par L’abbé L. Lepage, organiste a l’église métropolitaine de Rennes • 1900? : : Bossard-Bonnel, 3, Rue Nationale, 3, RENNES : : Imp. SAINT-PIERRE à Solesmes, Par Sablé SARTHE • On the cover, it says, “HOMMAGE FILIAL A SON ÉMINENCE LE CARDINAL LABOURÉ, ARCHEVÊQUE DE RENNES, DOL ET ST. MALO” • This is a FASCINATING book on how to accompany chant “a la Pothier rhythm” •

* * 1900 (?) Lepage Gregorian Accomp. Treatise (2 of 2)

• SECOND PART • Traité de l’accompagnement du plain-chant : : 2me Partie : : concernant les notes étrangères aux accords • par L’abbé L. Lepage, organiste a l’église métropolitaine de Rennes • 1900? : : Bossard-Bonnel, 3, Rue Nationale, 3, RENNES : : Imp. SAINT-PIERRE à Solesmes, Par Sablé SARTHE • On the cover, it says, “HOMMAGE FILIAL A SON ÉMINENCE LE CARDINAL LABOURÉ, ARCHEVÊQUE DE RENNES, DOL ET ST. MALO” • This is a FASCINATING book on how to accompany chant “a la Pothier rhythm” •

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

“In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant

As a RECESSIONAL on All Souls’ Day (November 2nd), we will sing In Paradísum Dedúcant Te Ángeli (PDF). When it comes to Gregorian Chant, this is one of the most popular “songs.” Frankly, all the prayers and chants from the traditional REQUIEM MASS (Missa exsequialis or Missa pro defunctis) are incredibly powerful and never should’ve been scuttled. Click here to hear “In Paradisum” in a recording I made this afternoon.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Music List” • All Souls (2 November)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 2 November 2025, which is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (“All Souls”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

2-Voice Arr. • “Creator of the Starry Height”

Do you direct a choir consisting of women or children only? (Some call this a “treble” choir.) Download a two-voice arrangement of Creator of the Starry Height set to the tune of IOANNES by clicking here and then scrolling to the bottom. In our times, this hymn is normally used during ADVENT, and the Latin title is: Cónditor alme síderum. It’s important to say “cónditor”—placing the accent on the antepenult—because ‘condítor’ in Latin means “one who embalms the dead.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)

We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity.” But is unity truly found in the MISSALE RECENS? For instance, on All Souls (2 November), any of these Gospel readings may be chosen, for any reason (or for no reason at all). The same is true of the Propria Missæ and other readings—there are countless options in the ORDINARY FORM. In other words, no matter which OF parish you attend on 2 November, you’ll almost certainly hear different propers and readings, to say nothing of different ‘styles’ of music. Where is the “unity” in all this? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.”

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Our Father” • Musical Setting?

Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?

—Jeff Ostrowski

New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”

My pastor requested that I write short 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 latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.

—Jeff Ostrowski