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Views from the Choir Loft

Lent is near.

Richard J. Clark · January 22, 2016

ENT IS NEAR. And looming over church musicians is a quick transition of liturgical seasons.

Lent is is marked by preparation for baptism and penance. It is joyful with the expectation of resurrection. The Introit to Ash Wednesday, Misereris omnium sums it up well:

Your mercy extends to all things, O Lord, and you despise none of the things you have made. You overlook our sins for the sake of repentance. You grant them your pardon, because you are the Lord our God.” — Wisdom 11:24-25, 27

Here, are a few of my liturgical works for Lent, the Easter Vigil, and Easter. You can also listen to recordings:

• Communion Antiphons for Lent | SATB, Organ, Assembly • World Library Publications

• Christe qui lux es et dies | Based on Compline Hymn for Lent, SATB • RJC Cecilia Music

• Lumen Christi | Paschal Candle Procession | Deacon/Priest, Assembly, SATB • CanticaNOVA Publications

• O Sacrum Convivium | TTB or SSA • (includes optional text for tempore quadragesimæ • RJC Cecilia Music

• I Am Risen, Resurrexi | Introit for Easter Sunday, SATB, organ • RJC Cecilia Music

Just for fun, here is an unrelated non-liturgical work, simply to share another aspect of my composition inspired by the scriptures. In this setting of Psalm 137 (136) for soprano, cello, and piano, the cello introduction and coda quote the Gregorian Chant, Super flumina babylonis. The performances of Allesandra Cionco and Michael Dahlberg are sublime, for which I am truly grateful.

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 Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

14 May 2022 • “Pure” Vatican Edition

As readers know, my choir has been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana. That is to say, the official rhythm which—technically—is the only rhythm allowed by the Church. I haven’t figured out how I want the scores to look, so in the meantime we’ve been using temporary scores that look like this. Stay tuned!

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • Gorgeous Book

If there is a more beautiful book than Abbat Pothier’s 1888 Processionale Monasticum, I don’t know what it might be. This gorgeous tome was today added to the Saint John Lalande Online Library. I wish I owned a physical copy.

—Jeff Ostrowski
Sound Familiar?

1 June 1579: “The chapter passes a rule that anyone ascending to the new organ without official permission shall be fined a month’s pay.”

26 October 1579: “The altar boys remain always separate and distinct from choirboys—the one group learning only plainchant and assisting at the altar, the other living with the chapel-master and studying counterpoint and polyphony as well. Father Francisco Guerrero postpones his departure for Rome and instead spends the entire year in Seville making ready for the trip. In the meantime he neglects his choirboys. On 16 November, after considerable complaint against their unruliness and ignorance, he engages an assistant, Bartolomé Farfán.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Now we are aware of the fact that during recent years some artists, gravely offending against Christian piety, have dared to bring into churches works devoid of any religious inspiration and completely at variance with the right rules of art.”

— Ven. Pope Pius XII (25 December 1955)

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  • 14 May 2022 • “Pure” Vatican Edition
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