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Corpus Christi Watershed

“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

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Views from the Choir Loft

In Defense of the Organ Postlude

Fr. David Friel · January 30, 2017

HE SECOND issue of the new magazine, Altare Dei, from Choralife has just been published. Subtitled “A Magazine on Liturgy and Sacred Music,” this publication will be of interest to many of our readers here at CCW.

The lead story in this latest issue is a well-argued piece by Dr. Peter Kwasniewski (known to our readers as a past contributor): “In Defense of the Organ Postlude.” Against those who are disturbed by this practice, which has been common since the late Renaissance, Kwasniewski makes a case that the organ postlude should not be viewed as a distraction to the act of thanksgiving. It should be appreciated, rather, for its ability to create “a sonic image of angelic choirs, a wordless transcendent proclamation of God’s glory.” Thus, the author’s fundamental claim is that the organ postlude has the spiritual benefit of immersing its hearers in the glory of God. Want to read more? Click here to download.

Included with this issue of Altare Dei is a hefty insert with seven pieces of sheet music. Among the compositions included are an Ave Maria, an Easter Alleluia, and an organ interlude from composers such as Colin Mawby, Mauro Visconti, and Valentinus Miserachs.

A new article of mine appears in this installment. Entitled, “The Earliest Catholic Choir School,” my article explores the roots of the choir school tradition in the Roman schola of the seventh century. Fascinating pieces on a variety of liturgical and musical subjects have also been contributed by David Fagerberg (theology professor, University of Notre Dame), Rev. Thomas Kocik (priest of the Diocese of Fall River, MA), Rev. Enrico Finotti (Italian liturgist), Fulvio Rampi (Gregorian chant scholar), and others.

Altare Dei is the handiwork of Maestro Aurelio Porfiri (another past contributor to these pages). Porfiri’s experience as a choir master, conductor, organist, and music theorist has prepared him well to serve as editor of this new publication.

The magazine is distributed strictly in digital format, on a bi-monthly basis. The first issue is still available for download.

Download the latest edition here for only €6.00, and see the excellent content for yourself!

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

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Altare Dei Magazine, Father Enrico Zoffoli, Pipe Organ, Sacred Choral Works Kwasniewski, Sheet Music Last Updated: November 13, 2019

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel is a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and serves as Director of Liturgy at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “What Martin Luther Said…”
    My pastor asked me to write little columns for the bulletin each week. The article for 20 July 2025 has been posted, and it’s called: “What Luther Said…” Martin Luther (an ex-priest and apostate) was an infamous heretic whose ignorance of JESUS CHRIST was only exceeded by his filthy and disgusting vulgarity.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 15th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (13 July 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and propers for this Sunday are also provided at the the feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“Latin has been the language of the Latin liturgy for 1,600 years. It is a sign and source of unity as well as a defense of doctrine, not because of the language so much, but because it is a language no longer subject to changes. There are so many beautiful texts which can never have the same effectiveness in translation. Lastly, Latin is bound to an extremely precious heritage of melody, Gregorian chant and polyphony.”

— Cardinal Antonelli (Secretary of the Conciliar Commission on the Liturgy)

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  • “What Martin Luther Said…”
  • “Music List” • 15th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • Worship the Lord in Holy Attire

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