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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

Can Girls In The 2nd Grade Sing SATB Hymns?

Jeff Ostrowski · July 18, 2019

T WOULD BE DIFFICULT to think of a text treated more thoroughly by the Brébeuf Hymnal than “Cónditor Alme Síderum” (changed in 1631AD to “Creátor Alme Síderum” during the Urbanite reform). It is fully dealt with in the “Ancient Hymns” section, but then it’s given even more space on Color Plate 19, which makes some fascinating observations. Needless to say, I’m not going to reproduce all that information in this article.

A famous Advent melody is called “O Heiland Reiss,” and the Brébeuf Hymnal uses that melody with several different texts, including an English translation of “O Heiland Reiss” by an FSSP priest. I played the tune on the piano 5-6 times, and a girl in 2nd grade was able to pick up the tune. (She has never studied music formally, but does have “music class” in her school).

I’ve said many times the Brébeuf melodies are simple enough to be learned by anyone:

You can hear the individual tracks if you visit the Brébeuf website and scroll to #188.

MORE TIMES THAN YOU CAN SHAKE a stick at, it turns out the people who claim to be “the world’s experts” on hymnody actually know very little. One such person wrote to us, saying that “O Heiland Reiss” can be used for one text only—and any other approach is wrong.

He clearly was ignorant of examples like these:

    * *  O Heiland reiss die Himmel auf • Pope Pius XII Hymnal (1959)

    * *  O Heiland reiss die Himmel auf • Catholic Hymnal (1957)

    * *  O Heiland reiss die Himmel auf • Catholic Hymnal (1936)

    * *  O Heiland reiss die Himmel auf • Catholic Hymnal (1910)

    * *  O Heiland reiss die Himmel auf • Catholic Hymnal (1885)

    * *  O Heiland reiss die Himmel auf • Catholic Hymnal (1989)

I promised not to repeat what is contained in the Brébeuf Hymnal, and I won’t. Let me just say that what Monsignor Knox did with this ancient Latin poem is spectacular.

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

Filed Under: Articles 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 Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Cardinal Ranjith on “Active Participation”
    From 2005–2009, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith served as Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. He was considered ‘papabile’ during the last conclave. On 8 December 2008, he wrote this powerful statement concerning Gregorian Chant, participatio actuosa, celebration “ad orientem,” and other subjects. When it comes to the question of what “sacred” means, Monsignor Robert A. Skeris provides a marvelous answer.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “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

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 was thought important that the song should actually accompany the distribution of Communion. A Carolingian explanation of the Mass remarks that during the Communion “soft melody should touch the ear [of the faithful] so that hearing this sound they would busy themselves less with distracting thoughts and … their hearts would be moved to humble love for that which they receive.”

— Father Josef Andreas Jungmann

Recent Posts

  • Online Breviary With Chant
  • “Dynamic Equivalence” • Serious Problems with the Forthcoming Lectionary Translation
  • Cardinal Ranjith on “Active Participation”
  • Exec. Director of ICEL weighs in on our series • “PDF comparison chart” included
  • “Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)

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