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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Video • “Vidi Aquam” Organ Accompaniment By Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski · May 4, 2015

WO SUNDAYS AGO I had a liturgical experience I’ll never forget, singing the “Vidi Aquam.” When the Celebrant reached the Altar, we hadn’t yet arrived at the Antiphon, so I signaled the choir & organist to psalm tone it. At this point, you’re probably curious why this was a great moment for me. Well, during the 1990s, we had an “authentic” traditional Pastor (ordained in 1956). He said his seminary choir usually sang recto tono on the repeat. His exact words were, “The Vidi Aquam—it’s a pretty little thing but excessively extends past the time required to sprinkle the congregation.” Until a few weeks ago, I never tried his method.

Why was it a great moment? I think it had to do with perfectly matching the liturgical action. Indeed, Pope St. Pius X wrote in 1903: “it must be considered a very grave abuse when the sacred liturgy is made to appear subservient to the music.” By the way, Rev. Andrew Green, OSB, wrote a famous “simplification” of the Vidi Aquam in the 1940s.

Here’s an organ accompaniment I recently created:

    * *  PDF Download • Organ Accompaniment by Jeff Ostrowski

Here’s a rehearsal video: 1


You will want to download the PDF for Singers.

Great liturgical moments come at unexpected times. If anyone wants to share a favorite liturgical moment on the CCW Facebook page, I encourage this. 2 For example, I remember a Mass in the Extraordinary Form offered at Corpus Christi Cathedral. The organist played this piece as Bishop René H. Gracida processed in wearing a gorgeous vestment I didn’t even realize bishops were allowed to wear. The seriousness of the Mass—as well as the holy calling of a bishop—was made clear in a mysterious way which assisted my devotion.

Click HERE to download the “Vidi Aquam” as seen in 1400AD. 3

TO A LARGE EXTENT, the art of Gregorian accompaniment seems to have been lost. This was one of the reasons our organization went to great lengths making 3,000+ pages of Gregorian accompaniments available back in 2008. We also made sure to place online several versions of the “Method of Gregorian Accompaniment” (1943) by Flor Peeters, which has never been surpassed. After carefully explaining the rationale behind the NOH, Peeters makes it clear that Gregorian chant can be harmonized in countless ways:

    * *  PDF Download • Flor Peeters “Different Approaches” (excerpt)

Some who attempt to create Gregorian accompaniments completely ignore voice leading—as if voice leading is something which (somehow) doesn’t apply to Gregorian accompaniment. Others attempt to create a very subtle accompaniment, but end up with the opposite. They fail to realize the best way to achieve a subtle accompaniment is to use soft organ stops. To “camp out” on the same chord excessively introduces dissonances an amateur ear might not perceive. In fact, a careful treatment of dissonance is the sine qua non of proper Gregorian accompaniment. This “opposite effect” reminds me of another opposite effect described by Sir David Frost:



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   You can also watch it on YouTube or download the Mp3 Recording.

2   I don’t have a Facebook, but I can view comments made on the CCW facebook page.

3   Moreover, if you look at page 2, you’ll see that Catholics in the 14th century did not repeat the entire Antiphon. Rather, they started at the words “et omnes ad quos pervenit”—which is interesting.

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

Filed Under: Articles 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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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    “Glory To God” • (For Choir + Congregation)
    I wish to thank everyone for the nice comments I received vis-à-vis my Glory To God setting for Choir & Congregation. A gentleman with a musical doctorate from Indiana University wrote: “Love this setting so much. And I will pray, as you asked, for your return to composition more fully. You are very very good.” A female choir director wrote: “I love your harmonizations, your musicality, and the wonderful interplay you have with dissonance and consonance in your music. So fun to listen to, and great for intellect, heart, and soul!” A young woman from California wrote: “Thank you for releasing your new Glory To God in honor of Saint Noel Chabanel. I'm enjoying reading through the various parts and listening to your recordings.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    William Byrd • “Mass for Five Voices”
    Our volunteer choir is learning the “Sanctus” from William Byrd’s Mass for Five Voices. You can hear a short excerpt (recorded last Sunday) but please ignore the sound of babies crying: Mp3 recording. We still have work to do—but we’re on the right track. Once we have some of the tuning issues fixed, I desire to use it as an example proving volunteers can sing complicated polyphony.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Baptism” • A Unique Hymn
    Father Christopher Phillips is the founding Pastor of Our Lady of the Atonement Catholic Church. One of his hymns is unique and (in my humble opinion) quite beautiful. His hymn is basically a prayer to the Holy Trinity but also speaks of Baptism and the Holy Eucharist. It would be an ideal Communion hymn on Trinity Sunday or the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. You can hear live recording from last Sunday by clicking here.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“A flawless harmonization of Gregorian chant cannot be created by improvisation, no matter the competence and ability of the organist or harmonist.”

— Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel (circa 1940)

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