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Views from the Choir Loft

How Serious Are They About The Accent?

Jeff Ostrowski · May 28, 2018

HENEVER a psalm tone termination has two accents, beware! These are often the more tricky ones. Mode 7 is an example, and even after all these years I’ve never heard a convincing explanation as to why the proper way doesn’t go UP on “non.” Doing so would give us a true accent instead of a fake one—although fake ones are allowed when there is no other choice. But that’s just not how it’s done:

88844 MODE 7 psalm tone


I suppose it all boils down to whether one believes a 1-syllable Latin word truly has a “tonic accent.”

Mode 3 seems to do the opposite:

88823 Patri Mode 3


Yet Mode III does not do the opposite for something like: “Qui fecit caelos in intelléctu: * quóniam in aetérnum misericórdia ejus.”

    * *  PDF Download • Conundrum for Mode iii

And Mode III does not do the opposite for something like: “Et qui abduxérunt nos: * Hymnum cantáte nobis de cánticis Sion.”

88771 accent mode 3


Again I ask: How much do they really care about the accent? It would seem they do not consider a monosyllable a “true” accent worth preserving.

By the way, this handy Psalm Tone Chart includes numerous examples.

There is also valuable information in the 1957 Solesmes Mass and Vespers.

Even Mode VIII can be tricky—as has been demonstrated.

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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

    Schola Director Posts ‘Live’ Recording
    As I explained in my article posted earlier today, Nun Komm Der Heiden Heiland is actually a Catholic tune (in spite of what some have claimed). The volunteer choir I direct sang that beautiful ADVENT melody last Sunday, and I invite you to listen to the live recording. It will get better the more we sing it.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Message from the Vice-President!
    The Vice-President of the Church Music Association of America, Dr. Horst Buchholz (who also serves as Director of Sacred Music for the Archdiocese of Detroit) sent us an email yesterday regarding the harmonizations (PDF) I composed for the Gregorian Chant psalm tones. Dr. Buchholz says: “Those settings are absolutely exquisite, as I'm used to when it comes from you. Bravo! Well done! Now, as a sequel, if you could write something for accompanying psalms in English that would be awesome.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Requesting Our Advent Eucharistic Hymn
    A young lady named Agnes wrote to us: “Dear Mr. Ostrowski, do you have the PDF score for Ave Corpus Domini set to the ADVENT melody? Last year, we sang the hymn tune “Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland” quite a bit using your contrafactum technique. My choir appreciates the Latin hymns and practice videos, especially in the ADVENT and CHRISTMAS seasons. Your recent article on Gregorian Psalm Tones is a great help to my organist brother, and reminds us of attending VESPERS years ago when we lived in California. Thank you so much for all the effort put into providing these wonderful resources!”   Agnes, if you are listening! Yes, the PDF file you desire can be downloaded for free at the Brébeuf Portal via this URL link. Thanks for writing to us!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“I have a great quarrel on with Dom Mocquereau over a very stiff book of his which we have translated & which a stupid American woman wants to be adapted to her understanding & terminology. It will be a little difficult to persuade the dear old man, for the lady is going to pay the piper. Truly money is at the root of all evils!”

— Dame Laurentia (talking about Justine Ward)

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