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Views from the Choir Loft

Annibale Bugnini’s Commentary (June 1967)

Jeff Ostrowski · July 2, 2015

570 Hannibal Bugnini IMAGE HEN I FIRST READ Annibale Bugnini’s massive book, “The Reform of the Liturgy,” I recall being struck by his polemical—almost petulant—tone. It was as if all his pent-up ire finally had an opportunity to be released, and he reserved special contempt for one of the heroes of sacred music, Msgr. Johannes Overath. For Bugnini, there was no such thing as a valid criticism or suggestion; these were labeled as “attacks” (a word he uses constantly throughout the 974 pages of his book).

The tone is quite different this 1967 document in which Bugnini reflects on Tres Abhinc Annos (a.k.a. “The Second Instruction”) promulgated on 4 May 1967:

    * *  PDF • Commentary on TRES ABHINC ANNOS

This document is unimportant—since massive liturgical changes came two years later—but what’s interesting is Bugnini’s euphoric tone and overstated claims about liturgical changes. His testimony is 100% at odds with what I’ve been told by priests and laymen who experienced the reforms of the 1960s, yet Bugnini claims the changes have “been received everywhere with great satisfaction.” For instance:

The faithful everywhere have responded generously, and have greeted the “new” liturgy with great joy. There can be no doubt that interest in the liturgy has increased…

The recent “Second Instruction” on liturgical modifications has been received everywhere with great satisfaction and…with a spirit of joy…

Yet, you can see from his commentary that he desires more. For instance:

Our experience of the vernacular, and of celebrations versus populum, has shown that certain particular ceremonies are no longer of use; they can easily be changed, without altering the present liturgical books, in harmony with the guidelines of the renewal.

It’s also important to read Cardinal Antonelli’s testimony regarding Archbishop Bugnini.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Annibale Bugnini Reform 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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Quick Thoughts

    Tempo?? • 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘞𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦
    Once, after Mass, my pastor said he really loved the hymn we did. I said: “Father, that's Holy God, We Praise Thy Name—you never heard it before?” He replied: “But the way you did it was terrific. For once, it didn't sound like a funeral dirge!” Last Sunday, our volunteer choir sang that hymn. I think the tempo was just about right … but what do you think?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Don’t You Agree About These?
    If you want to make Jeff Ostrowski really happy, send him an email with effusive praise about the individual voice recordings for hymn #296. [Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass] They came out dazzlingly sensational, don't you agree?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Choral Vowels? Yes? No?
    Here's a live recording of one of the choral “warm-up” exercises my choir enjoys. It was taken during our rehearsal on 27 January 2023. It’s good to make sure each chord is perfectly in tune and balanced before moving to the next one. That only happens when each singer has the correct vowel. If you like, you can freely download that vocal exercise.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

This was first breach in the walls of a fortress, centuries old, stoutly built, strong and robust, but no longer capable of responding to the spiritual needs of the age. [N.B. the “fortress” is a liturgy which nourished countless great saints.]

— Annibale Bugnini (19 March 1966)

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