Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download • Franz Liszt and Gregorian Chant

Jeff Ostrowski · May 17, 2019

ANY HAVE ASKED about the “corrupt” chant editions posted by CCWatershed in 2008. At that time, we were practically the only organization to value such editions, and people wanted to know: “What is the purpose of posting such books? Are we supposed to sing from them?” The short answer is: It is crucial to know what books the people were looking at in historical times. Nicolas Dufetel understands this all too well, and consulted the correct books for his fantastic article about Franz Liszt. It turns out Liszt was “obsessed” with trying to unlock the secrets of plainsong modality and rhythm, which at that time were not fully understood.

The Gregorian sheets with Liszt’s margin notes are not to be missed:

* * PDF Download • Article by Nicolas Dufetel

84559 Franz Liszt Gregorian Chant MSS

This document is courtesy of the HAL website, under the “progressive and awesome” Creative Commons which allows authors to share things but still receive full credit and legal protection.

Citation: Nicolas Dufetel. Religious Workshop and Gregorian Chant: The Janus Liszt, or How to Make New with the Old. James Deaville et Michael Saffle. Liszt’s Legacies. Based on papers presented at the International Liszt Conference held at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada, Pendragon Press, pp. 43-71, 2014.

Citation must be included.

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

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).

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski