Views from the Choir Loft

“Salve Virgo Singularis” • For Three Voices

Jeff Ostrowski · June 29, 2016

Y CHOIR IS CURRENTLY learning a five-voice piece with homophonic chords. To complement that, I wanted something with major emphasis on counterpoint, and Rev’d Cristóbal de Morales is magnificent in that department. The text is profoundly powerful, and the English translation doesn’t quite capture the Latin; but no translation could. Something that got lost is the juxtaposition of “ante saecla” with “nunc.” In other words, at Holy Mass we are now adoring the same Christ—Body, Blood, Soul, & Divinity—Who was begotten before the ages in the heart of the Father. What a great mystery! Moreover, the author seemed particularly moved by the relationship between Mary and Jesus.

I have attempted to record all three voices to help choirs learn:

* * PDF • “Salve Virgo Singularis” (Morales)

REHEARSAL VIDEOS :

EQUAL VOICES : YouTube • Mp3 Audio

WOMEN : YouTube • Audio

TERTIUS : YouTube • Audio

MEN : YouTube • Audio

First Translation of the Refrain:

Hail, matchless Maiden,
Maiden biding, God thou bearest.
That begotten ere the ages
from his Father’s heart
let us worship now, created
from his Mother’s flesh.

Sálve Vírgo singuláris:
Vírgo mánens Déum páris,
Ánte saécla generátum
Córde Pátris:
Adorémus nunc creátum
Cárne Mátris.

Second Translation of the Refrain:

Hail Virgin most marvellous
Who, remaining Virgin, bearest God
Begotten before the ages
In the heart of the Father.
Let us adore Him Who took flesh
From the Mother.

Sálve Vírgo singuláris:
Vírgo mánens Déum páris,
Ánte saécla generátum
Córde Pátris:
Adorémus nunc creátum
Cárne Mátris.

The English translation of “Ave Maris Stella” is by Fr. Fortescue (d. 1923), and it’s excellent. I especially like his fifth verse.

By the way, ladies who enjoy singing low would sound nice added to the Tertius line, along with tenors who know how to sing with a “light” sound.

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 Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Dom Pothier • Photo from 1904

Dom Paul Cagin, in a 1904 publication (L’oeuvre de Solesmes dans la restauration du chant grégorien) made sure to include a beautiful image of Dom Pothier, the legendary abbot of St-Wandrille. Also shown is a very young Dom André Mocquereau. Auguste Pécoul—considered the spiritual “son” of Abbat Prosper Guéranger of Solesmes—wrote as follows on 24 June 1901: “To forestall any confusion, let us remember that there is just one Gregorian notation—that restored, according to the ancient manuscripts, by the eminent Abbot of Saint-Wandrille, Dom Pothier.” ✠

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “3-Voice Motet” (Father De Laet)

I believe 99% of our readers will recognize this hymn tune. Perhaps Father Edgard De Laet should have called it a ‘hymn’ instead of a ‘motet for three voices’—but he’s technically correct, since MOTET is defined as: “a short piece of sacred choral music, typically polyphonic and unaccompanied.” The even verses are for three voices, as you will see if you download the PDF score at #20245. The odd verses may be song a cappella SATB or unison with organ.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Chart • “Plainsong Rhythm”

I will go to my grave without understanding the lack of curiosity so many people have about the rhythmic modifications made by Dom André Mocquereau. For example, how can someone examine this single sheet comparison chart and at a minimum not be curious about the differences? Dom Mocquereau basically creates a LONG-SHORT LONG-SHORT rhythmic pattern—in spite of enormous and overwhelming manuscript evidence to the contrary. That’s why some scholars referred to his method as “Neo-Mensuralist” or “Neo-Mensuralism.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Reminder” — Month of January (2026)

On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF • “O Come All Ye Faithful” (Simplified)

I admire the harmonization of “Adeste Fideles” by David Willcocks (d. 2015), who served as director of the Royal College of Music (London, England). In 2025, I was challenged to create a simplified arrangement for organists incapable of playing the authentic version at tempo. The result was this simplified keyboard arrangement (PDF download) based on the David Willcocks version of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Feel free to play through it and let me know what you think.

—Jeff Ostrowski