Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download • “Cantus Varii” (469 Pages)

Jeff Ostrowski · February 21, 2017

HEN WE ANNOUNCED the upcoming Symposium, reference was made to a remarkable “revolution” that’s happened over 20+ years with regard to reclaiming authentic Roman Catholic liturgy. Another piece has been added—the Church Music Association of America has carefully scanned and posted this book:

* * PDF • “Cantus Varii” (Solesmes, 1928)

Many rare chants in this book were omitted from “Cantus Selecti” (1957) and the “Liber Cantualis” (1995). The Sequence beginning on page 208 (“Sálve díes diérum glória”) is particularly charming. It would later be included—with a bunch of ictus added—in the Ordo Hebdomadae Sanctae printed in 1961 by Solesmes.

Whoever donated this book appears to have favored English for this chant:

What would the tune’s composer—Dom Pothier—have thought of that?

(If anyone owns this book, perhaps they could donate the pages which have been vandalized with English. I suspect the CMAA would replace those pages right readily.)

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).

List • Responses by each bishop!

This incredible website gives each bishop’s response to the recent MOTU PROPRIO Traditionis Custodes, a decree by Pope Francis which seeks to reduce the number of celebrations of the “Extraordinary Form” (Traditional Latin Mass): traditioniscustodes.info

—Jeff Ostrowski

Tomorrow is Sunday…

When you were in school, you would have gotten in trouble if you wrote the Roman Numeral “9” as viiii. You were supposed to write: IX. But look how an ancient manuscript writes “9” as a Roman Numeral. That’s the Introit Ecce Deus for tomorrow’s feast in the Extraordinary Form: The 9th Sunday after Pentecost.

—Jeff Ostrowski

24 July 2021 • “Two Teams”

Anyone familiar with the so-called “Traditionalist Catholic” movement knows that (like every other group) it contains some bad apples. Anyone can self-identify as a “Traditionalist Catholic”—even those who are mentally ill, those who beat their wives, and even folks who are emotionally disturbed. All of us know TLM Catholics who are so arrogant they make Narcissus look like the most humble guy who ever lived. However, I believe Traditionis Custodes will exacerbate the situation. Under B16, we were “all on the same team.” But this new decree by Pope Francis makes it seem like there are two opposing “teams” in the Church.

—Jeff Ostrowski