Views from the Choir Loft

04 • Lalemant Interviews: Fr. David Friel

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 14, 2013

ATERSHED CONTINUES in this fourth installment of the Lalemant Interviews, a series designed to bring about a greater awareness of the Mass Propers. Fr. David Friel speaks about the Mass Propers and many other subjects.

* * Hear a brief sound clip excerpted from the interview

You can listen to the entire interview here:

THOSE DESIRING A BOOK with the complete Mass Propers in English ought to investigate the Lalemant Propers. Beautifully-bound and painstakingly-typeset, this 391-page book contains very simple Psalm Tone settings of the complete Roman Gradual as well as forty-five fully pointed Psalms. The Propers are notated note-by-note, making it possible for those without any musical training to instantly sing them. The entire collection can be downloaded here:

* * The Lalemant Propers (free download) 391 Pages [url]

To access all the Lalemant Interviews conducted so far, click here.

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

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Many declare that Vatican Council II brought about a true springtime in the Church. Nevertheless, a growing number of Church leaders see this “springtime” as a rejection, a renunciation of her centuries-old heritage, or even as a radical questioning of her past and Tradition. Political Europe is rebuked for abandoning or denying its Christian roots; but the first to have abandoned her Christian roots and past is indisputably the post-conciliar Catholic Church.

— ‘Pope Francis’ Chief Liturgist (31 March 2017)’