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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

Gregorian Impressions • Plainchant Settings for Organ

Richard J. Clark · June 29, 2018

BRAND NEW release from The Sacred Music Press/The Lorenz Corporation, Gregorian Impressions is a collection of organ works based on familiar and beloved plainchants.

Shifting in character, they are designed to accommodate a variety of liturgical or concert circumstances. At the very least, this music can be performed on a two manual instrument with limited ranks. However, colorful registration, especially in animating chant melodies is encouraged on instruments with larger resources.

With intense dynamic and expressive intent, this collection cries out for the pipe organ to breathe and to sing.

• View Sample pages and Forward with notes on registration here.

• Order Score: Gregorian Impressions • Plainchant Settings for Organ

      YouTube:  I. Pange lingua
      YouTube:  II. Adoro te devote
      YouTube:  III. Jesu dulcis memoria
      YouTube:  IV. Ubi caritas
      YouTube:  V. O filii et filiae
      YouTube:  VI. Veni, creator Spiritus
      YouTube:  VII. Ave Maria

• Tracks 1, & 3-7 were recorded on the 1999 Smith & Gilbert Organ (IV/54), Saint Cecilia Church, Boston, MA.
• Track 2 was recorded on the D. A. Flentrop (I/8) at Saint Mary’s Chapel, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA.


PLAYLIST:


OWE A GREAT debt to Timothy E. Smith and Theodore Gilbert, builders of a unique instrument. Featured at several concerts during the 2014 National Convention of the American Guild of Organists and celebrated by the Boston Music Intelligencer as “Cavaillé-Coll-esque,” it is situated in one of the most glorious (and useful) acoustics in New England.

To the casual listener it is somewhat notorious for its power. But noted by every distinguished organist is the warmth and richness of its foundations and strings (voiced by Theodore Gilbert). More recent additions to the instrument by Timothy E. Smith have only added to the array of richness and color, seamlessly complimenting ranks with Gilbert’s voicing.

Such richness and warmth is certainly on display in these recordings, e.g., the introduction and coda of Veni, creator Spiritus or the building up of foundation stops and reeds on Jesu dulcis memoria.

None of this begins to speak of the highly pragmatic liturgical design of the instrument: foundation stops that speak clearly into the nave to support congregational singing, dynamic flexibility to accompany soloists, choral works, and chant, and an antiphonal division that unites a 19th Century architecture with the 21st Century liturgy. All of these necessary elements are the design and vision of Timothy E. Smith.

Finally, what is quite special to me, is not always the full array of the organ, but the quiet moments of reflection while composing and improvising. A few soft 8’ stops speak into an empty and darkened sanctuary, expressing most exactly what I ask. I thank God for an abundance of these moments for nearly twenty years. Such moments of musical and prayerful sanctuary have saved my life.

Soli Deo gloria

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Gregorian Chant, Pipe Organ Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 31 August 2025, which is the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “The Worm That Dieth Not”
    My pastor asked me to write a column for our parish bulletin with reflections on the sacred liturgy and church music. In my most recent article, I discuss “The Worm That Dieth Not.” At this website, you can access it conveniently; simply scroll down to the one dated 31 August 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    A Nice Hymn In Spanish
    In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

It should be borne in mind that there is no preference expressed in the liturgical legislation for either “versus populum” or “ad orientem.” Since both positions enjoy the favor of law, the legislation may not be invoked to say that one position or the other accords more closely with the mind of the Church.

— ‘Congregation for Divine Worship (Vatican City), 10 April 2000’

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