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Views from the Choir Loft

Richard Terry’s Hymnal in PDF and paperback

Veronica Brandt · September 6, 2014

Old Westminster Hymnal HE OLD WESTMINSTER HYMNAL was the only collection of hymns authorized by the hierarchy of England and Wales back in 1912. Coming out of years of suppression the Catholic Church in England was still finding her feet.

Persecution can make saints, but can also foster a ghetto mentality where intellectual virtues are disparaged. After surviving on cut down devotions, the prospect of full, sacred liturgical worship may have appeared too strong or foreign.

R. R. Terry burst onto the scene with the drive to revive Gregorian chant and polyphony. Then, as now, hymns were more popular – as R R Terry writes:

“Of all forms of Church music, the one which seems to have wielded an influence out of all proportion to its intrinsic worth is the vernacular hymn.” – On music’s borders by R R Terry (Unwin 1927)

His Westminster Hymnal marked a more scholarly approach to hymnody. The compiler searched out the authentic tunes for each piece, sometimes giving a range of tunes to choose from. The Musical Editor’s Preface goes through a few of the more glaring examples of the decay of hymn tunes. It is well worth reading even just as a snapshot of music in England at the time.

Maybe the last word can go to the Right Reverend Bishop of Newport who wrote the main preface. After noting the number of hymns included is 250, he continues:

The tunes have been in part selected and in part composed by Mr R R Terry, Mus.D., Organist and Choirmaster of Westminster Cathedral, who has also written and edited the harmonies. This eminent musician has here presented the public with a work of great originality and distinction, for which he is entitled to the thanks of the Catholic Church in English-speaking countries. The Hymns are what we have been accustomed to, but the musical setting is, on the whole, far more scientific and satisfying than anything that has hitherto appeared. There can be no doubt that it will conduce very much to the devotion and decorum of extra-liturgical worship and popular services to have one common manual of Hymns, which at once offers a suitable variety and prevents the undesirable introduction of amateur efforts and unedifying novelties.

      * *  PDF: Old Westminster Hymnal (mostly 1912)

      * *  Old Westminster Hymnal in paperback (crown quarto, 432 pages)

      * *  Spiral bound (letter, 432 pages)

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Hymnbooks Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Veronica Brandt

Veronica Brandt holds a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering. She lives near Sydney, Australia, with her husband and six children.—(Read full biography).

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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
7 June 2022 • FEEDBACK

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—Jeff Ostrowski

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