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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

PDF Download • “What Makes A Good Hymn?”

Jeff Ostrowski · February 6, 2020

EOPLE are making a big deal about a scandalous song by GIA Publications, written for the LA Religious Education Congress later this month. Having listened to an excerpt of the song, I agree with those who insist such “beat music” should never be sung during the Holy Mass. Why an organization called The Gregorian Institute of America would promote that song is a mystery to me. But rather than “attack,” we should provide positive alternatives—beautiful and dignified melodies—such as those found in the Brébeuf hymnal, which the New Liturgical Movement (6/10/2019) called “hands down, the best Catholic hymnal ever published.”

What Makes A Good Hymn Tune?

An excellent article was published in 1912 by the choirmaster of Westminster Cathedral (which is Roman Catholic, whereas Westminster Abbey is currently Protestant):

*  PDF Download • “What Makes A Good Hymn?”
—A fascinating article by Sir Richard Runciman Terry (d. 1938).

In 1885, a Jesuit priest named Father Dreves published a melody which I consider to be excellent:


This famous melody is paired with numerous texts in the Brébeuf hymnal.  For example:


The tune itself is called various names: Vom Himmel Hoch, Erfurt, Altona, and so on.  It was once associated with Christmas, but lost this association a century ago (except in German-speaking countries). Below are examples with non-Christmas texts:

*  PDF Download • “Vom Himmel Hoch” for Eastertide
—An example of “ALTONA” not being used for Christmas.

*  PDF Download • “Vom Himmel Hoch” for General Use
—An example of “ALTONA” not being used for Christmas.

*  PDF Download • “Vom Himmel Hoch” for St. Peter’s Day
—An example of “ALTONA” not being used for Christmas.

*  PDF Download • “Vom Himmel Hoch” for Psalm 114
—An example of “ALTONA” not being used for Christmas.

*  PDF Download • “Vom Himmel Hoch” for Pentecost
—An example of “ALTONA” not being used for Christmas.

An example (same tune) from the Brébeuf hymnal for the Holy Name:


An example (same tune) for Epiphany:


An ancient Catholic text suitable for Holy Communion (same tune):


An example for Christmas (same tune):


The beautiful harmonization (from the Brébeuf Choral Supplement) sounds interesting with the bass line removed—don’t you agree?

*  Mp3 Download • “Altona” without the Bass
—This file has the Bass Line removed.

P.S.

Regarding the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, I see the keynote speaker this year is Bishop Danny Flores. He was on the faculty of a high school where I taught for three years, and (once upon a time) served as the personal driver for Bishop René Gracida, who flew 39 bombing runs in Germany during World War II. Bishop Gracida told me that wherever they drove together—including very long road trips—he forced Bishop Flores (at that time, he was “Father”) to listen to Glenn Gould playing the Goldberg Variations. Awesome choice! Too bad the absolute best recording was not available in those days. [The best recording is a 1959 “live” version of Glenn Gould recorded in Salzburg.]

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

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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Common Hymn Melodies, Jean de Brebeuf Hymnal, Roman Catholic Hymnals, Sir Richard Runciman Terry Last Updated: February 26, 2022

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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

    “What Martin Luther Said…”
    My pastor asked me to write little columns for the bulletin each week. The article for 20 July 2025 has been posted, and it’s called: “What Luther Said…” Martin Luther (an ex-priest and apostate) was an infamous heretic whose ignorance of JESUS CHRIST was only exceeded by his filthy and disgusting vulgarity.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 15th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (13 July 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and propers for this Sunday are also provided at the the feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

To the extent that the new sacred music is to serve the liturgical celebrations of the various churches, it can and must draw from earlier forms — especially from Gregorian chant — a higher inspiration, a uniquely sacred quality, a genuine sense of what is religious.

— Pope John Paul II (June 1980)

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