• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

  • Our Team
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Saint Antoine Daniel KYRIALE
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
  • Donate
Views from the Choir Loft

Too Many Sopranos? Try This Canon!

Jeff Ostrowski · August 9, 2016

ANY CHOIRMASTERS COMPLAIN about having too many sopranos, but perhaps they should explore the vast repertoire written for SSATB, such as the following piece by Fr. Tomás Luis de Victoria (d. 1611). The Soprano parts form a perfect canon, which is without question 1 the most daunting of all techniques. This Motet could be used in various ways, and the text is an antiphon from the Transfiguration (August 6th). It seems especially fitting for use at BENEDICTION of the Blessed Sacrament.

Listen to the following section, with Tenor & Bass muted:


It creates a marvelous effect, doesn’t it? The Alto is a real killer in a few sections—but that always happens in major league canonic pieces like this one, because composers need to make sure the counterpoint “lines up.” If your altos are running out of breath, sing through the line yourself (SEE BELOW) before criticizing them!

A FRIEND OF MINE helped record the full piece, giving our readers an idea how it sounds:

    * *  PDF Download • “RESPLENDUIT FACIES” (T. L. de Victoria)

REHEARSAL VIDEOS :

EQUAL VOICES : YouTube   •   Mp3 Audio

FIRST SOPRANO : YouTube   •   Audio

SECOND SOPRANO : YouTube   •   Audio

ALTO : YouTube   •   Audio

TENOR : YouTube   •   Audio

BASS : YouTube   •   Audio


The original part books give a special sign for when the Canon begins and ends, but as far as I can tell they don’t provide notation for the Second Soprano during the final four measures. I’d be curious to know how the singers knew which pitches to sing for those measures.

The motet’s beginning is quite special because it sounds “radiant”—for obvious reasons. 2



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Needless to say, I’m speaking of canons which follow the rules; any fool can write one that doesn’t follow the rules.

2   The numerous consonants during the first section may have been intentionally placed to create a kind of percussive effect (cf. “sicut nix”), but to be honest my ears are relieved when the section is over.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

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).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    Vespers Booklet (4th Sunday of Lent)
    The organ accompaniment booklet (24 pages) which I created for the 4th Sunday of Lent (“Lætare Sunday”) may now be downloaded, for those who desire such a thing.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Vespers Booklet, 3rd Sunday of Lent
    The organ accompaniment I created for the 3rd Sunday of Lent (“Extraordinary Form”) may now be downloaded, if anyone is interested in this.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Weeping For Joy! (We Hope!)
    Listening to this Easter Alleluia—an SATB arrangement I made twenty years ago based on the work of Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel—one of our readers left this comment: “I get tears in my eyes each time I sing to this hymn.” I hope this person is weeping for joy!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“All those who take part in sacred music, as composers, organists, choir directors, singers, or musicians should above all give good example of Christian life to the rest of the faithful because they directly or indirectly participate in the sacred liturgy.”

— Directive issued under Pope Pius XII on 3 Sept. 1958

Recent Posts

  • Hidden Gem: Ave Regina Caelorum (Steven Talley)
  • Four (4) Shimmery Hymns for Lent & Passiontide
  • “Go!” • The Word That Changed My Life Forever
  • Vespers Booklet (4th Sunday of Lent)
  • At the Cross • Stabat Mater

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2023 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.