Dom Joseph Gajard (1885-1972)

Jeff Ostrowski · January 23, 2014

Dom Gajard with Virginia Schubert OM JOSEPH GAJARD. Born in Sonzay (Indre and Loire), June 25, 1885, professed at Solesmes, August 15, 1911. He became assistant to Dom Mocquereau in 1911. He thus had a part in the publication of the 2nd volume of the Nombre Musical Grégorien and some Vatican books after 1913.

In 1946, he was named Director of the (founded in 1911), in which he published many practical articles, and in 1954, of the Études Grégoriennes of a more scientific content, founded the same year. At last, he directed the Paléographic Musicale, founded by Dom Mocquereau and conducted all the recordings of Gregorian Chant until his death on April 25, 1972, Voix de son Maitre in 1930 (Victor), and Decca from 1951 on.

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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

“Tonus Solemnior” • How old is it?

In the 1962 Missal, a section called “præfationes in tono solemniore” contains ornate melodies for the Preface. An article posted on the blog of the Church Music Association of America claims the tone comes from “the late 19th century” and said its elimination “is one of the very few good things which the post-Conciliar reform did for Gregorian chant.” The author said: “The Roman solemn preface tone is already beautiful enough, there was no need to give a more Romantic feel.”

Some have asked us whether the tonus solemnior comes from “the late 19th century.” It does not. Their author was wrong by at least 400 years. I have seen this tone in MSS from the 1400s—and it may go back even further. Here is an example from 1494AD. And here’s another from the 1400s. The FSSP priests use these tones on high feasts, and the effect is unforgettable.

—Jeff Ostrowski

6 January 2022 • Quick!

A short version of the INTROIT for the feast of the Epiphany has been added to the Saint René Goupil Gregorian Chant Website.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Confusing Feasts of Christmas

Whether one considers the Missale Vetustum or the post-conciliar calendar—or even the 1908 calendar—the feasts which follow Christmas are very confusing. Last year I created this comparison chart. I hope you find it helpful. As far as I can tell, my chart is the first effort to carefully detail the changes made to post-Christmas feasts (unless we also count the rather basic one by Lauren Pristas).

—Jeff Ostrowski

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