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Views from the Choir Loft

Praise to the Holiest

Veronica Brandt · September 26, 2015

287 John Henry Newman RAISE TO THE HOLIEST IN THE HEIGHT
And in the depth be praise.
In all his words most wonderful
Most sure in all his ways.

Blessed Cardinal Newman wrote this hymn as part of a larger work called The Dream of Gerontius. It is an awesome hymn, bringing theology together in verse. But there is some diversity as to which tune suits it best.

In my area, the general consensus seems to point towards Thomas Haweis’ tune called Richmond. Listen to this rendition from New Zealand. It works and the choir and organ make a great sound, but those leaps are something of an accident waiting to happen in the hands of less capable singers.

Maybe it was these concerns that lead R R Terry from Westminster Cathedral to compose his version, known as Newman or Billing. There are similarities, but the tune is much simpler yet still grand. Hear it in action here.

This is also the version included in the old Vatican II Hymnal:
Page 287 • Praise To The Holiest In The Height (NEWMAN)
(organist)   •   (D Major, SATB)   •   (C Major, SATB)

The layout in the Campion Hymnal, Organist Vol II is even better, with just three verses inline with the music and the remainder printed below. I can’t wait to see how Jeff’s next hymnbook turns out!

There is another well known tune by J B Dykes called Gerontius. This one seems to be favored by Protestant hymnbooks. Here it is at Peterborough Cathedral.

There are many servicable tunes in the same meter. Joy to the World is one which everyone would surely know. The meter is 8 6 8 6 if you would like to check the metrical index of your favorite hymn book.

Although if you would like something really spectacular, there is Edward Elgar’s Orchestral Version.

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 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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Quick Thoughts

5 April 2021 • When Girls *SING*

Covid restrictions here in California are still extremely severe—switching “two weeks to flatten the curve” into “two years to flatten the curve.” Since 2020, we’ve had police breaking into our church to check if everyone is wearing a mask…even when only 5-6 people are present! But we were allowed to have a small percentage of our singers back on Easter Sunday, and here is their live recording of the ancient Catholic hymn for Eastertide: Ad Cenam Agni Providi. The girls were so very excited to sing again—you can hear it in their voices!

—Jeff Ostrowski
29 March 2021 • FEEDBACK

“E.S.” in North Dakota writes: “I just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU for all the hard work you have put—and continue to put—into your wonderful website. In the past two years, my parish has moved from a little house basement into a brand new church and gone from a few families receiving Low Masses twice a month to several families (and many individuals) receiving Mass every Sunday, two Saturdays a month, and every Holy Day. Our priest has been incorporating more and more High Masses and various ceremonies into our lives, which has made my job as a huge newbie choir master very trying and complicated. CCWatershed has been an invaluable resource in helping me get on my feet and know what to do!!! Thank you more than I can express! May God bless you abundantly and assist you in your work and daily lives!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
29 March 2021 • Condemned?

On Palm Sunday, the Passion was read. Immediately after mention is made of the betrayal by Judas, the Holy Eucharist is introduced. Is this not a condemnation of “Christians” who deny the Church teaching on the SANCTISSIMUM? Here is Matthew 26: And Judas that betrayed him, answering, said: “Is it I, Rabbi?” He saith to him: “Thou hast said it.” And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is my body.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“What will be the results of this innovation? The results expected, or rather desired, are that the faithful will participate in the liturgical mystery with more understanding, in a more practical, a more enjoyable and a more sanctifying way.” [Enjoyable?]

— Pope Paul VI (26 Nov 1969)

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