Views from the Choir Loft

SATB “Agnus Dei” by Verdelot with Rehearsal Videos

Jeff Ostrowski · June 17, 2015 ·

ANY YEARS AGO, a professor of music history emerged in a state of agitation. Having just returned from a conference, she exclaimed: “I am so tired of being around these J. S. Bach specialists. All day long they argue about which type of pen Bach used to write his music. When it comes to my area—the Renaissance—we’re lucky to even know when a composer was born with any degree of certainty!”

Not much is known about the life of Philippe Verdelot, but one thing is certain: he was a master.

* * PDF Download • VERDELOT AGNUS DEI (SATB)

This piece opens with a 13th-century chant, then launches into polyphony:

Rehearsal videos:

SOPRANO : YouTube • Audio

ALTO : YouTube • Audio

TENOR : YouTube • Audio

BASS : YouTube • Audio

EQUAL VOICES : YouTube • Mp3 Audio

About Jeff Ostrowski

A theorist, organist, and conductor, Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004), and did graduate work in Musicology. He serves as choirmaster for the new FSSP parish in Los Angeles, where he resides with his wife and children.

“The old man carried the Child, but the Child led the old man.”

The Antiphon for First Vespers of the Feast of the Purification (February 2nd) is beautiful: “The old man carried the Child, but it was the Child who was guiding the old man. The Virgin bore the Child, and after child-bearing was virgin still: whom she bore, him she adored.” —Senex púerum portábat, puer autem senem regébat: quem Virgo péperit, et post partum Virgo permánsit: ipsum quem génuit, adorávit.

—Jeff Ostrowski

A quote from Fr. Valentine Young

I had one brother who was out of the church for quite a few years. When my mother was asked, “Did she worry about him?” I remember her answer: “I don’t worry about him; I just pray for him.” She left that in God’s hands. My mother did not live to see her son return to the Church; but he did, and I was able to celebrate his funeral Mass.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Theoricam practicamque”

In a book printed by Solesmes Abbey in 1902, “Kyrie Rex Genitor” is also called Theoricam practicamque. Can anyone explain why?

And how does that translate into English? “Theoricam practicamque vitam regens Deus Pater.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

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