Views from the Choir Loft

Essential Resources • Psalm Tones for Mass Propers

Jeff Ostrowski · June 15, 2016

Additional Psalm Verses for the Communion antiphons:

* * [40 pages] • PSALMS FOR COMMUNION (Solesmes, 1957)

* * [232 pages] • VERSUS PSALMORUM ET CANTICORUM (Solesmes, 1962)

* * [307 pages] • Richard Rice «COMMUNIO» (CMAA, 2008)

Notice that “Versus Psalmorum” (1962) also contains extra verses for the introit!

Simple Settings for the Gradual, Tract, and Alleluia verse:

* * [257 pages] • CHANTS ABRÉGÉS (Solesmes, 1930)

* * [290 pages] • CHANTS ABRÉGÉS (Solesmes, 1955)

* * [111 pages] • LIBER BREVIOR EXCERPT (Solesmes, 1954)

The Church Music Association of America has also posted a fabulous resource (“Simplified Graduale”) by Richard Rice in booklet form and also in portrait.

Extra Verses for the Offertory chants:

* * [186 pages] • FULL VERSES by Carl Ott (1935)

* * [36 pages] • SIMPLE OFFERTORY VERSES (Richard Rice)

As I mentioned in my Symposium speech, those interested in adapting the Gregorian psalm tones for English should first study the above resources to understand Gregorian psalmody. Moreover, they should visit the Lalande Online Library and download all the books called “Psalmi in Notis.”

Most of these files were scanned & posted by the CMAA.

The CMAA new policy (22 April 2015) allows reposting when credit is given.

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

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).

11 October 2021 • “Sing All Verses?”

Some claim Catholics deserve condemnation because (unlike Protestants) Catholics often omit verses when singing hymns at Mass. Is that true? The wonderful Sophia Institute Press—as part of a series on authentic sacred music—has provided an answer (PDF) to this question.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Where do Catholics find hymns?

The wonderful Sophia Institute Press has begun a “Q+A” section which tackles common liturgical questions, and here’s a sample: “At a conference I recently attended, the speaker said hymns don’t belong at Mass; was he telling the truth?” And you can read the answer. To access the complete set (which is a work in progress), scroll towards the bottom of this link.

—Jeff Ostrowski

28 September 2021 • FEEDBACK

From a reader: “I have read the pages explaining the Blessed Sacrament in the Brébeuf hymnal and plan on continuing to contemplate them. Moreover, the Christ the King Hymn is beautifully sung on the recording you posted (to the Watershed blog), and I wish my church would sing these hymns instead of modern ones from Choral Praise. We receive a wonderful explication of the Eucharist through this hymn. I am always impressed at the simple yet beautiful melodies in the Brebeuf hymnal.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Impelled by the weightiest of reasons, we are fully determined to restore Latin to its position of honor, and to do all We can to promote its study and use. The employment of Latin has recently been contested in many quarters, and many are asking what the mind of the Apostolic See is in this matter. We have therefore decided to issue the timely directives contained in this document, so as to ensure that the ancient and uninterrupted use of Latin be maintained and, where necessary, restored.”

— Pope John XXIII (22 February 1962)