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Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download • “Leeds Catholic Hymnal” (232 pages)

Jeff Ostrowski · August 13, 2018

87936 LEEDS CATHOLIC HYMNAL 1957 HE TIME has come for honesty; so let me be completely honest. I’m bubbling over with excitement about the imminent release of the St. Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal. It is truly unique. On the one hand, it is aimed at the “average” Catholic parish in the United States—and I have personally experienced so many of these, from cathedrals to small rural churches. That means the texts are accessible and the melodies are solid, beautiful, dignified, and (usually) simple. On the other hand, our historical research was extensive—and we unearthed unbelievable hymn treasures which are almost beyond belief. We scanned thousands of pages of Catholic hymnals, choosing only what is most excellent from each. 1

This was sent to us from England:

    * *  PDF • 1957 LEEDS ROMAN CATHOLIC HYMNAL (232 pages)

This hymnal has been out of print for half a decade! It was generously scanned and sent to Corpus Christi Watershed by Mr. Colin E. Jackson.

From what I can tell, the Leeds Hymnal (1957) contains only “traditional” material, whereas the Brébeuf contains melodies and texts commissioned from contemporary artists.

Update:

Well, I guess there is a reason for my earlier comment about “traditional” hymns—check out what was just sent to me, from the “words” edition which appeared in 1954:

87932 LEEDS DIOCESE CATHOLIC HYMNAL 1954





NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Generous friends from all over the world have also assisted us, sending us interesting historical hymnals.

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Jean de Brebeuf Hymnal 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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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    Simplified Antiphons • “Candlemas”
    Anyone who desires simplified antiphons (“psalm tone versions”) for 2 February, the Feast of the Purification—which is also known as “Candlemas” or the Feast of the Presentation—may freely download them. The texts of the antiphons are quite beautiful.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Tempo?? • 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘞𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦
    Once, after Mass, my pastor said he really loved the hymn we did. I said: “Father, that's Holy God, We Praise Thy Name—you never heard it before?” He replied: “But the way you did it was terrific. For once, it didn't sound like a funeral dirge!” Last Sunday, our volunteer choir sang that hymn. I think the tempo was just about right … but what do you think?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Don’t You Agree About These?
    If you want to make Jeff Ostrowski really happy, send him an email with effusive praise about the individual voice recordings for hymn #296. [Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass] They came out dazzlingly sensational, don't you agree?
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“So, as in delirium a man talks in a long-forgotten tongue, now—when her heart is rent—the Catholic Church drops twenty centuries without an effort, and speaks as she spoke underground in Rome, and in Paul’s hired house, and in Crete and Alexandria and Jerusalem.”

— A non-Catholic describing the “Hagios O Theos” of Good Friday in 1906

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