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Views from the Choir Loft

Fantastic! • “Somber Yet Powerful” Advent Hymn

Jeff Ostrowski · December 12, 2019

HE SEASON OF ADVENT is similar to Epiphany, in the sense that it’s impossible to incorporate all the awesome hymns before the season ends. The following hymn, taken from the Brébeuf hymnal, has been quite a success at our parish. In German, the tune is called “Als Christus mit seiner Lehr”—but another name for the tune is “Nos Respectu Gratiae.” The Brébeuf hymnal contains numerous settings Cónditor Alme Síderum because it’s very important:

Important Notice:

You can hear individual voice tracks if you visit the Brébeuf website; scroll to #193.

Most people won’t click that link—which makes me sad, because the Tenor line is extremely cool. (At this moment, I can’t think of a nicer Tenor line.) By the way, I’ve been informed that the Brébeuf Choral Supplement—1,202 pages!—will become available for purchase over the next few weeks. How cool is that?

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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Jeff Ostrowski

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

4 March 2021 • Can you spare 15 seconds?

Due to Covid-19, California has basically been under “lock down” for 11 months, and these restrictions have had quite a detrimental effect on our choral programs. We are frequently limited to just 2-3 singers, on account of regulations by the government and our Archdiocese. However, although the number of singers is quite small, I was struck by the beauty of the singing last Sunday. Listen to this 15-second live excerpt and see if you agree?

—Jeff Ostrowski
3 March 2021 • “A policeman” — really?

According to Monsignor Frederick R. McManus, there were “policemen” serving the Sanhedrin in the time of Our Blessed Lord. Look at this awful translation in the 1966 “Saint Andrew Bible Missal” from 1966. Yuck!

—Jeff Ostrowski
Surprising Popularity!

One of our most popular downloads has proven to be the organ accompaniment to “The Monastery Hymnal” (131 pages). This book was compiled, arranged, and edited by Achille P. Bragers, who studied at the Lemmensinstituut (Belgium) about thirty years before that school produced the NOH. Bragers might be considered an example of Belgium “Stile Antico” whereas Flor Peeters and Jules Van Nuffel represented Belgium “Prima Pratica.” You can download the hymnal by Bragers at this link.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Always remember: God opposes the proud.” (leaning into the microphone) “…even when they’re right!”

— ‘Scott Hahn, speaking in Plano, TX’

Recent Posts

  • Two Recent Talks on the Liturgy
  • 4 March 2021 • Can you spare 15 seconds?
  • Now Online! • “Missale Romanum” (1615 edition)
  • “Ash Wednesday” • Banned by YouTube after 93,000 Views!
  • 3 March 2021 • “A policeman” — really?

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