Views from the Choir Loft

Archives for February 2017

Jeff Ostrowski · February 28, 2017

Giacomo Cardinal Lercaro (1891-1976)

“There remains throughout the presence of Bugnini—his bias, his anger, and his prejudice—making one continuously ask the unanswerable question: why?” ~ Msgr. Richard J. Schuler

Guest Author · February 28, 2017

EF Divine Office Resource • Daily Recordings of Lauds

“At the crowing of the cock, hope returns…”

Fr. David Friel · February 26, 2017

The Purpose of Art

Considerations from Tolstoy

Veronica Brandt · February 25, 2017

Making rehearsal CDs and finding mp3s

Burning CDs may seem old-fashioned, but many people still rely on their CD players. All the shortcuts, plus a free recording of Audi Benigne Conditor.

Richard J. Clark · February 24, 2017

Four Real Reasons for Roman Catholic Funerals

The real purpose of a Roman Catholic funeral is not what most people think.

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · February 23, 2017

7 Points • “The Joy of Lent”

Does Lent really put people in a bad mood?

Jeff Ostrowski · February 22, 2017

“Morae Vocis” acc. to the Vatican Edition

The «Kyriale» contains very few melismatic morae.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 21, 2017

PDF Download • “Cantus Varii” (469 Pages)

The revolution continues!

Dr. Lucas Tappan · February 21, 2017

Music and the Imagination

Along the “via pulchritudinis” (the way of beauty) they will come to know Him Who is Beauty itself.

Jeff Ostrowski · February 20, 2017

2-1 Suspension in Guerrero Motet

“Now this is eternal life: That they may know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

Fr. David Friel · February 19, 2017

Will All Men Be Saved? 1

Hope vs. Certainty

Jeff Ostrowski · February 18, 2017

Musical Resources • Sexagesima Sunday 1

“O God, who seest that we put no trust in ourselves…”

Dr. Alfred Calabrese · February 16, 2017

The Pedagogy of the School Mass Liturgy

The weekly school Mass may be the only Mass some students ever attend.

Andrew Leung · February 14, 2017

Feature Video • London Oratory Schola

A very cool promotion video of the Schola Cantorum of the London Oratory School

Dr. Lucas Tappan · February 14, 2017

Singing for Cardinal Burke’s Pontifical Low Mass

I told Cardinal Burke that is was a blessing for us to sing for the Mass and assured him of our prayers.

“Music List” • Christ the King Sunday

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 23 November 2025, which is the 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. In the 1970 Missal, this Sunday is known as: Domini Nostri Jesu Christi Universorum Regis (“Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe”). As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the magnificent feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Simplified” Keyboard Accompaniment (PDF)

I’d much rather hear an organist play a simplified version correctly than listen to wrong notes. I invite you to download this simplified organ accompaniment for hymn #729 in the Father Brébeuf Hymnal. The hymn is “O Jesus Christ, Remember.” I’m toying with the idea of creating a whole bunch of these, to help amateur organists. The last one I uploaded was downloaded more than 1,900 times in a matter of hours—so there seems to be interest in such a project. For the record, this famous text is often married to AURELIA, as it is in the Brébeuf Hymnal. The lyrics come from the pen of Father Edward Caswall (d. 1878), an Oratorian priest.

—Jeff Ostrowski

‘Bogey’ of the Half-Educated: Paraphrase

Father Adrian Porter, using the cracher dans la soupe example, did a praiseworthy job explaining the difference between ‘dynamic’ and ‘formal’ translation. This is something Monsignor Ronald Knox explained time and again—yet even now certain parties feign ignorance. I suppose there will always be people who pretend the only ‘valid’ translation of Mitigásti omnem iram tuam; avertísti ab ira indignatiónis tuæ… would be “You mitigated all ire of you; you have averted from your indignation’s ire.” Those who would defend such a translation suffer from an unfortunate malady. One of my professors called it “cognate on the brain.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Reminder” — Month of November (2025)

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

Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)

We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity.” But is unity truly found in the MISSALE RECENS? For instance, on All Souls (2 November), any of these Gospel readings may be chosen, for any reason (or for no reason at all). The same is true of the Propria Missæ and other readings—there are countless options in the ORDINARY FORM. In other words, no matter which OF parish you attend on 2 November, you’ll almost certainly hear different propers and readings, to say nothing of different ‘styles’ of music. Where is the “unity” in all this? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.”

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Our Father” • Musical Setting?

Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?

—Jeff Ostrowski