Views from the Choir Loft

Organ Accompaniments to Simple Gregorian Chants

Corpus Christi Watershed · October 24, 2013

Simple Chants from the Parish Book of Chant:

Page 89 • Adoremus In Aeternum (Ostrowski)
+ Mp3 practice file

Page 91 • Anima Christi (Ostrowski)
+ Mp3 practice file

Page 98 • Confirma Hoc Deus (Ostrowski)

Page 99 • Da Pacem Domine (Ostrowski)

Page 103 • O Salutaris (Ostrowski)

Page 107 • Panis Angelicus

Page 126 • Salve Mater (Ostrowski)

Page 136 • Ecce Nomen Domini (Ostrowski)

Page 149 • Crucem Tuam (Ostrowski)

Page 150 • Crux Fidelis (Ostrowski)

Page 154 • Concordi Laetita (Ostrowski)
+ Mp3 practice file

Page 159 • Salve Festa Dies (Ostrowski)

Page 161 • Benedictus (Ostrowski)

Page 162 • Magnificat (Ostrowski)

Alternate versions from the NOH:

Panis Angelicus (NOH)
O Salutaris (NOH)
Magnificat (NOH)
Da Pacem (NOH)
Confirma Hoc (NOH)
Benedictus (NOH)

Alternate versions of the Magnificat:

ORGANIST: MIDDLE KEY • LOW KEY • HIGH KEY

VOCALIST: MIDDLE KEY • LOW KEY • HIGH KEY

RANDOM RECORDINGS: 01 • 02 • 03 • 04

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

Hymn by Cardinal Newman

During the season of Septuagesima, we will be using this hymn by Cardinal Newman, which employs both Latin and English. (Readers probably know that Cardinal Newman was one of the world's experts when it comes to Lingua Latina.) The final verse contains a beautiful soprano descant. Father Louis Bouyer—famous theologian, close friend of Pope Paul VI, and architect of post-conciliar reforms—wrote thus vis-à-vis the elimination of Septuagesima: “I prefer to say nothing, or very little, about the new calendar, the handiwork of a trio of maniacs who suppressed (with no good reason) Septuagesima and the Octave of Pentecost and who scattered three quarters of the Saints higgledy-piddledy, all based on notions of their own devising!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Introit • Candlemas (2 February)

“Candlemas” • Our choir sang on February 2nd, and here's a live recording of the beautiful INTROIT: Suscépimus Deus. We had very little time to rehearse, but I think it has some very nice moments. I promise that by the 8th Sunday after Pentecost it will be perfect! (That Introit is repeated on the 8th Sunday after Pentecost.) We still need to improve, but we're definitely on the right track!

—Jeff Ostrowski

Simplified Antiphons • “Candlemas”

Anyone who desires simplified antiphons (“psalm tone versions”) for 2 February, the Feast of the Purification—which is also known as “Candlemas” or the Feast of the Presentation—may freely download them. The texts of the antiphons are quite beautiful. From “Lumen Ad Revelatiónem Géntium” you can hear a live excerpt (Mp3). I'm not a fan of chant in octaves, but we had such limited time to rehearse, it seemed the best choice. After all, everyone should have an opportunity to learn “Lumen Ad Revelatiónem Géntium,” which summarizes Candlemas.

—Jeff Ostrowski