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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

SATB “Alleluia” (Fr. Morales) • for both OF and EF

Jeff Ostrowski · November 13, 2017

UCH OF THE SACRED MUSIC SYMPOSIUM each year is spent discussing how choirmasters can survive in what is undoubtedly a very difficult profession. In the booklet each participant receives, we provide tons of scores with simple polyphony a volunteer choir can manage—and we meticulously describe ways of “sneaking polyphony into the Mass.” One of my favorite ways is to employ choral extensions. This can be done in the EF by mixing the psalm tones given on the René Goupil website with a polyphonic Alleluia like the one below. 1

Please pardon my screechy soprano voice, but I wanted to show how it sounds:

    * *  PDF Download • «ALLELUIA» by Cristóbal de Morales (d. 1553AD)

REHEARSAL VIDEOS for each individual voice await you at #3982.

This Alleluia can also be used in the Ordinary Form—as explained. You could write your own Alleluia or grab one from a billion different plainsong sources. (Archbishop Bugnini’s Consilium had tried to eliminate from the Ordinary Form all foreign words—Amen, Alleluia, Hosanna, and so forth—but the Sacred Congregation of Rites was able to prevent that. So the OF still contains a few foreign words.) The Graduale Simplex (pdf) has some nice ones:

3962 ALLELUIA

A brief word about polyphonic Alleluia #3982: Francisco Guerrero (d. 1599) studied under Fr. Morales, and we often see his traits. For example, Guerrero loved to add variety to his works. The first section might begin with Sopranos, then Altos, then Bass, then Tenors. The next section might be revered: starting with Bass, then Tenors, then Altos, then finally Sopranos. Or he may begin each point of imitation with a different voice.

Fr. Morales often does the same thing in Alleluia #3982—and it’s truly marvelous.

Consider the .WAV files from my Rehearsal video:

3964 ProTools


The sheet music illustrates this even better.

(But the .WAV files are kind of cool.)



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Other examples include #7503 and #3524 and #4470 and #5050.

This Alleluia comes from a Mass by Fr. Morales (Benedicta es Caelorum Regina) based on a motet by Fr. Jean Mouton (d. 1522), who was also a Catholic priest.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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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 Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

A priest celebrating the Mass “ad orientem” is no more turning his back on the people than a teacher leading her students in the “Pledge of Allegiance” is slighting them by turning her back on them and facing the flag with them.

— Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone (6 April 2025)

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