Views from the Choir Loft

Solesmes Salicus & Scandicus Vs. Pure Vatican Edition

Jeff Ostrowski · April 29, 2013

OSTING ABOUT THIS SUBJECT probably makes me an official geek, but here goes. Those who carefully examine yesterday’s Communion Proper (5th Sunday of Easter, Year C) will notice that there are major discrepancies between how it is printed in the ORDO CANTUS MISSAE and the Solesmes Gregorian Missal of 1989. The ORDO CANTUS MISSAE was printed in 1970, 1974, and again in 1988. There are so many important discrepancies, I will not show them, because it would take too long. However, the excerpts below serve as good examples of what I’m talking about. The RED ARROWS are from the ORDO CANTUS MISSAE (1988) and the PURPLE ARROWS are from the Gregorian Missal:

Errors like these happen approximately five times, which is quite remarkable considering Ego Sum Vitis Vera is an extremely short chant. Anyone who has read my article in Sacred Music (Winter 2008) realizes the deep significance of these discrepancies. Furthermore, they would be easier to account for if the chant were printed by the Pothier Commission, but this chant was first added in 1970.

Here’s my 2008 article, for those who care:

* * The Rhythm of the Vatican Edition (Winter 2008) [pdf]

And here’s a series of videos you can watch, if the article doesn’t make sense to you:

* * Video Presentation on the Vatican Rhythm of the Chant

But the easiest way to understand what I’m talking about is to read “Lesson 8” found here:

* * How to Read and Sing Gregorian Chant

Happy Geek-ing!!!

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

About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

Responsorial Psalm Fauxbourdon?

When it comes to singing Responsorial Psalms in Fauxbourdon, what does this sound like in practice? Can such a thing be done successfully with volunteer choirs in real Catholic parishes? Listen to this audio excerpt from Good Friday and see what you think. Our parish volunteer choir did so well this year—and the ceremonies were ‘standing room only’. For the record, that musical score can be downloaded (completely free of charge) from the flourishing feasts website.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Music List • (Easter Sunday, 2026)

Readers have expressed interest in seeing the ORDER OF MUSIC I created for Easter Sunday—a.k.a. “Ad Missam in die Paschae”—which is 5 April 2026. Please feel free to download it as a PDF file if such a thing interests you. The Fauxbourdon for Communion is particularly moving.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Sprinkling Rite”

Liturgical reformers who gained power after Vatican II frequently caused great suffering to musicians. With the stroke of a pen, they sometimes make changes that would require thousands—or even millions—of man hours (work undertaken by composers and editors). The Sprinkling Rite during Eastertide is but one tiny example. The version given in that PDF document was the original melody for Roman Missal, Third Edition. Some still prefer that version. However, at the last moment, an “unknown hand” tinkered with a few notes in the antiphon. Those who examine the current edition can verify this with their own eyes.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “Liturgical Law” (467 Pages)

On Good Friday during the middle ages, the pope privately recited THE ENTIRE PSALTER. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself by reading this passage by Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen (d. 1943). His famous book—called “Liturgical Law: A Handbook Of The Roman Liturgy”—was published by the Benjamin Herder Book Company, which was the American arm (operating out of St. Louis, Missouri) of one of the world’s most significant Catholic publishers. Dom Charles Augustine Bachofen was born in Switzerland but spent his career between the Benedictine monasteries at Conception (Missouri) and Mount Angel (Oregon). His 1931 masterpiece, Liturgical Law can be downloaded as a PDF file … 467 pages!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Gregorian Chant Quiz” • 24 March 2026

How well do you know your Gregorian hymns? Do you recognize the tune inserted into the bass line on this score? For many years, we sang the entire Mass in Gregorian chant—and I mean everything. As a result, it would be difficult to find a Gregorian hymn I don’t recognize instantly. Only decades later did I realize (with sadness) that this skill cannot be ‘monetized’… This particular melody is used for a very famous Gregorian hymn, printed in the LIBER USUALIS. Do you recognize it? Send me an email with the correct words, and I promise to tell everybody I meet about your prowess!

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Ubi Caritas” (SATB)

I remember singing “Ubi Cáritas” by Maurice Duruflé at the conservatory. I was deeply moved by it. However, some feel Duruflé’s version isn’t suitable for small choirs since it’s written for 6 voices and the bass tessitura is quite low. That’s why I was absolutely thrilled to discover this “Ubi cáritas” (SATB) for smaller choirs by Énemond Moreau, who studied with OSCAR DEPUYDT (d. 1925), an orphan who became a towering figure of Catholic music. Depuydt’s students include: Flor Peeters (d. 1986); Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (d. 1953); Arthur Meulemans (d. 1966); Monsignor Jules Vyverman (d. 1989); and Gustaaf Nees (d. 1965). Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #19705. When I came across the astonishing English translation for “Ubi Cáritas” by Monsignor Ronald Knox—matching the Latin’s meter—I decided to add those lyrics as an option (for churches which have banned Latin). My wife and I made this recording to give you some idea how it sounds.

—Jeff Ostrowski