Views from the Choir Loft

Musical Resources • Holy Thursday (FSSP, 2018)

Jeff Ostrowski · March 26, 2018

These musical programs are for FSSP.la, the new FSSP Apostolate in Los Angeles. Bring your family to the High Mass (SAINT VICTOR, 8634 Holloway Dr, West Hollywood, CA 90069) at 7:00pm every Sunday.

INTROIT • Sung by the Ladies during the procession

PDF Score (Singer) • Practice Audio (Singer)

KYRIE ELEISON

We will sing Kyrie #3595 .

We also know #5294 (KYRIE “Iste Sanctus” by Guerrero)

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS

The bells ring as we sing: #5612.

GRADUAL • Sung by the men

PDF Score (Singer) • Practice Audio (Singer)

When Easter arrives, we’ll once more use ALLELUIA by Fr. Cristóbal de Morales: #3982.

CREDO IV • When we sing Plainsong Credo IV, we use alternatim

#5984 • CREDO after Guillaume de Machaut (Chaumonot)

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON

PDF Score (Singer)

OFFERTORY OTHER

Vexilla Regis by Palestrina.

SANCTUS & HOSANNA

#3496 • Guerrero SANCTUS (“Beata Mater”)

#2999 • BENEDICTUS (Francisco Guerrero)

AGNUS DEI

Today, the response each time is: miserere nobis.

We will sing #90719 by Giovanni Gabrieli.

COMMUNION ANTIPHON

This will be sung by chosen soloists.

Extra Verses for soloist

COMMUNION POLYPHONY

Since it’s Holy Thursday, we’ll sing “Whitehall” Verbum Supernum (SATB).

To learn the notes you can use #7128 in spite of the fact that words are different.

PROCESSIONAL HYMN — Pange Lingua • starting pitch = E

#178 in Campion Missal

PDF Score (Singer) • YouTube

PRAYER WITH THE CHOIR (taken from the CAMPION HYMNAL) :

About Jeff Ostrowski

A theorist, organist, and conductor, Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004), and did graduate work in Musicology. He serves as choirmaster for the new FSSP parish in Los Angeles, where he resides with his wife and children.

“Daily I sat in the temple, close to you…”

Fulton J. Sheen always said the “very best translation” of Sacred Scripture was the version by Monsignor Ronald Knox, and here’s what Knox had for the Passion read today (Pre-1955 Palm Sunday): “And Jesus said to the multitude at that hour, You have come out to my arrest with swords and clubs, as if I were a robber; and yet I used to sit teaching in the temple close to you, day after day, and you never laid hands on me.” (Mt 26:55)

Did you catch that? Our Lord sat close to them! He was near them! The Second Person of the Blessed Trinity touched them, and was friendly toward them! Truly, the people who can hurt us the most—and betray us the most—are those whom we have loved.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Sacred Music Symposium • “What We Avoid”

I wish we had to time to discuss artwork at the Sacred Music Symposium, but there’s just not enough time. At this year’s conference in June, we will sing an absolutely incredible Magnificat setting by Father Francisco Guerrero (d. 1599). If you examine the part books, you will notice a marvelous aesthetic desire to avoid the same capital letter—for the sake of beauty. Do you see how the Part Books find a way to avoid repeating the Capital G twice, by using the word “Superius” (which is roughly analogous to “Soprano”)? Breathtaking!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Abraham” • Guerrero Imitates His Teacher

Father Francisco Guerrero (d. 1599) studied music with Father Cristóbal de Morales circa 1545. He taught himself the organ. On 3 April 1542 he was engaged as a contralto by Seville Cathedral at an annual salary of 12,000 maravedís. He remained there until 1546, when, at the age of only 17, he was invited—on the recommendation of Father Morales—to become mæstro de capilla of Jaén Cathedral. He was entrusted with the boarding, lodging, and instruction of the six choirboys; but he neglected this duty and was sentenced to be dismissed on 30 August 1548. However, he was absolved and reinstated on 3 November. I think you can see (perhaps) a little homage to his teacher on the word “Abraham.”

—Jeff Ostrowski