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Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download: Complete Proper Of The Mass, With Organ Accompaniment • Kansas (1946)

Jeff Ostrowski · June 27, 2014

332 Proper of the Mass UR CURRENT AGE has a difficult time grasping realities of the past. For example, as a parent of two small children, I cannot understand how people survived before modern conveniences like running water, plumbing, electricity, modern medicine, and disposable diapers. Can you imagine raising children in the year 1817? How about 1746? 1455? 1106? It’s totally unthinkable … yet billions of humans have done it.

Broad statements are sometimes made, such as: “Catholic music was terrible prior to the Second Vatican Council … and priests rushed through Low Mass in a sloppy way.” Others imagine that every single church before Vatican II had a men’s Schola chanting the full Gregorian Propers.

While neither scenario is accurate, one thing is certain: our ancestors often sang the Propers, despite many obstacles. Considering what they did, our feeble efforts to sing the Propers are inexcusable.

Therein lies the primary value of being aware of this book:

      * *  COMPLETE PROPER OF THE MASS — Rev. Green & Rev. Koch ©1946 (PDF)

It’s remarkable that priests in Kansas — Kansas! — were willing to exert the effort necessary to help small churches sing the Propers. Many other collections existed, too: Tozer, Labouré, Rossini, and so forth.

Although the melodies and organ accompaniments in this book are nothing spectacular, they did include some handy items like a Latin Pronunciation Guide, Sequence Accompaniments, and these accompaniments to the Vidi Aquam and Asperges Me:

      * *  Asperges Me — Organ Accompaniment (PDF)

      * *  Vidi Aquam — Organ Accompaniment (PDF)

IT IS A FACT that not all churches “back in the day” sang the Propers. Some churches omitted them, although this was contrary to liturgical law. Much evidence could be produced, for example:

      * *  Omitting the Propers — References from the 1930s (PDF)

For reference purposes, here’s the title page information:

THE COMPLETE PROPER OF THE MASS
Set to Gregorian Themes and Psalm Tones for Sundays and Feasts of the Liturgical Year

by Andrew Green, O.S.B. and Rev. Herman J. Koch, Ph.D.

1956 Revised Edition

IMPRIMATUR:
Edward J. Hunkeler (27 September 1956)
Archiepiscopus Kansanopolitanus in Kansas

Copyright 1946 Diocese of Leavenworth

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Last Updated: January 13, 2020

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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).

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Quick Thoughts

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

Random Quote

The union of Christians can only be promoted by promoting the return to the one true Church of Christ of those who are separated from it, for in the past they have unhappily left it.

— Pope Pius XI (6 January 1928)

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