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Views from the Choir Loft

“Convent Mass” For Two Sopranos — A. E. Tozer (1911)

Jeff Ostrowski · July 31, 2014

191 Convent Mass E’VE BEEN providing free downloads of rare Catholic musical scores. A few weeks ago, for example, we posted the famous Tozer Propers, along with full Propers from Kansas and Texas.

I thought it might be interesting to show an example of how music for the Ordinary of Mass—Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei—sounded during that era:

      * *  PDF Download: Tozer “Convent Mass”

Published in 1911, this “Convent Mass” is for two sopranos. Augustus Edmonds Tozer was a convert from Anglicanism, and his compositional style does reflect this. Still, his music was popular in Catholic Churches at the time.

HAD THIS MASS been written for Anglican ceremonies, I’m fairly certain Tozer would have used English, instead of Latin & Greek. By the way, did you know that President James A. Garfield often impressed his buddies by using his ambidexterity to write in Latin & Greek simultaneously? It’s true. Other interesting facts about President Garfield: He was the last president born in a log cabin and he was the first president to campaign in two languages (English and German). Also, on election day, November 2, 1880, he was at the same time a member of the House, Senator-elect, and President-elect.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Augustus Edmonds Tozer Composer Scores Last Updated: January 1, 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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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

I feel the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a direct war, a direct killing—direct murder by the mother herself. And we read in the Scripture, for God says very clearly: “Even if a mother could forget her child, I will not forget you: I have carved you in the palm of my hand.”

— Mother Theresa (11 Dec 1979)

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