KNOW A SECRET. Would you like to hear? Once upon a time, Roman Catholic composers were trained from birth in a special art of musical composition. This situation produced masters whose liturgical works contain unthinkable beauty, waiting for all to enjoy. They would combine plainsong themes in supremely brilliant ways, and I have tried to indicate such places by means of red ink: 1
* * PDF • SANCTUS & HOSANNA (“Missa Iste Sanctus”)
For years, I hoped other Catholic websites would promote the gorgeous compositions by such giants as Palestrina, Verdelot, Victoria, Guerrero, Lassus, Marenzio, and others. However, very few do—although they exert tremendous energy complaining about “bad liturgy.” Therefore, I began making rehearsal videos in which I sing all the vocal parts (even the soprano notes!) to help this music live again in our churches:
REHEARSAL VIDEOS for each individual voice await you at #5454.
Many people (inexplicably) do not visit LALEMANT POLYPHONIC, where individual voice parts are located. That’s a huge mistake, because the whole point of these tracks is the individual voice tracks—and we’ve seen marvelous results from their use here in Los Angeles. By the way, those who attend Sacred Music Symposium 2017 will learn how to create these recordings.
Could anyone listen to the Tenor Rehearsal Video (at the “Hosanna” section) and not be overwhelmed by the majestic dignity and holiness of these melodies?
The Benedictus is forthcoming.
NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:
1 The red ink refers to the motet which serves as the basis for this parody Mass.
