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Views from the Choir Loft

Septuagesima Gradual • Strange Formation on Clivis

Jeff Ostrowski · February 11, 2020

ON’T tell anyone this, but our choir changes two notes in the Gradual for Septuagesima Sunday. It’s a clivis that just doesn’t sound right. Here it is in the Editio Vaticana, as printed by Solesmes Abbey (1957):

The 1953 Schwann Gradual, which also contains the Editio Vaticana, prints the “error” as well:

Dom Pothier’s 1883 Liber Gradualis—which served as the basis for the Editio Vaticana—also contains the “error,” as you can see:

Dom Mocquereau’s 1903 Liber Usualis, published before the Editio Vaticana appeared, also contains the “error,” to my great surprise:

Is there a “Gregorian Chant Jail” for people who change the notes?

I hope not!

For the record, this chant contains a very clear outline of a Tritone:

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: February 11, 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

No concession should ever be made for the singing of the Exultet, in whole or in part, in the vernacular.

— ‘Fr. Augustin Bea, S.J. in the years immediately before the Second Vatican Council’

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

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