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Views from the Choir Loft

Tallis Scholars Live

Fr. David Friel · December 15, 2013

E PHILADELPHIANS had a rare privilege this week. After two days of snow, our “Concerts at the Cathedral” series brought to our city the legendary Tallis Scholars as part of their 40th Anniversary Tour. They were every bit as magnificent in person as they are on recordings.

In reading the program beforehand, I was pleased to see Victoria’s Missa Gaudeamus among the selections to be performed. I was surprised, however, to notice that the Credo had been omitted. It was a thrill when, after the Gloria, the singers began the Credo anyway. So much for the program; maybe the text was too long to fit on the page.

After my initial thrill at hearing the intonation of the Credo, I began to relax and enjoy the movement. What struck me was nothing technical. I was not processing the inner harmonies or dynamics of the music. Rather, I felt invited to meditate on the mysteries of the faith.

As the Credo slowly proceeded, I had time to consider each of the tenets of faith included therein. In my normal weekly recitation of the Nicene Creed, there is hardly time for such meditation and consideration. It was a welcome Advent gift.

What if we had this opportunity every week at Mass? Most of the Mass-goers I know wouldn’t see it this way, but I would consider it such a blessing. To sing or chant the Creed at all is a rarity in the average parish, but to have a polyphonic setting of the Creed would be outright unthinkable in most places.

The experience I had on Tuesday evening wasn’t in the context of liturgy, but I was grateful for the moments of unhurried mediation I had under the guidance of Victoria and the incomparable Tallis Scholars.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: congregational singing, Singing the Mass Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anselm Church in Northeast Philly before earning a doctorate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America. He presently serves as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and teaches liturgy at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

    Schola Director Posts ‘Live’ Recording
    As I explained in my article posted earlier today, Nun Komm Der Heiden Heiland is actually a Catholic tune (in spite of what some have claimed). The volunteer choir I direct sang that beautiful ADVENT melody last Sunday, and I invite you to listen to the live recording. It will get better the more we sing it.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Message from the Vice-President!
    The Vice-President of the Church Music Association of America, Dr. Horst Buchholz (who also serves as Director of Sacred Music for the Archdiocese of Detroit) sent us an email yesterday regarding the harmonizations (PDF) I composed for the Gregorian Chant psalm tones. Dr. Buchholz says: “Those settings are absolutely exquisite, as I'm used to when it comes from you. Bravo! Well done! Now, as a sequel, if you could write something for accompanying psalms in English that would be awesome.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Requesting Our Advent Eucharistic Hymn
    A young lady named Agnes wrote to us: “Dear Mr. Ostrowski, do you have the PDF score for Ave Corpus Domini set to the ADVENT melody? Last year, we sang the hymn tune “Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland” quite a bit using your contrafactum technique. My choir appreciates the Latin hymns and practice videos, especially in the ADVENT and CHRISTMAS seasons. Your recent article on Gregorian Psalm Tones is a great help to my organist brother, and reminds us of attending VESPERS years ago when we lived in California. Thank you so much for all the effort put into providing these wonderful resources!”   Agnes, if you are listening! Yes, the PDF file you desire can be downloaded for free at the Brébeuf Portal via this URL link. Thanks for writing to us!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

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I basically don’t favor Cardinal Kasper’s proposal; I don’t think it’s coherent. To my mind, “indissoluble” means “unbreakable.”

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