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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 • “Victimae Paschali” Organ Accompaniment (Nine Versions)

Jeff Ostrowski · April 14, 2020

Updated Version:

*  “Victimæ Paschali Laudes” • Thirty-One (31) Different Versions

*  PDF Download • 2 VERSIONS (Latin + English)
—English Translation approved for liturgical use in the United States by the USCCB.

ERE IS MY ATTEMPT at a harmonization, done strictly according to The Classical Solesmes Method of Dom Mocquereau. Notice how that method creates funny “rhythmic alighting points”—which make singers pronounce peccatóres as if it were peccátores. Would our ears be bothered if Dom Mocquereau’s method were applied to English? Judge for yourself, with this fascinating English version which allows “apples to apples” comparison. (Personally, I prefer this Sequence in Latin.)

*  PDF Download • Latin Version (Jeff Ostrowski)
—Harmonized strictly according to the rhythmic method of Dom André Mocquereau.

*  Mp3 Download • LIVE RECORDING
—Live recording of the Latin version, with female singers.

For “German Rhythm” (Accentualist), use the NOH version:

*  PDF Download • Nova Organi Harmonia (1944)
—Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel was choirmaster at the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold (Belgium).

For some reason, the “German Rhythm” never caught on. Even to this day, the vast majority of Gregorian accompaniments follow “Mocquereau Rhythm.” Here are seven examples:

*  PDF Download • Giulio Bas (1874-1929)
—Giulio Bas was the editor of the “Rassegna Gregoriana” (Rome).

*  PDF Download • Desrocquettes (1887-1972)
—Dom Jean Hébert Desroquettes was organist of Solesmes Abbey.

*  PDF Download • Achille P. Bragers (1887-1955)
—Bragers taught at the Pope Pius X School of Liturgical Music (Manhattanville College, New York).

*  PDF Download • Achille P. Bragers (TRANSPOSED)
—This has been transposed very high.

*  PDF Download • (first) Henri Potiron (1882-1972)
—Potiron was Choirmaster of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Paris).

*  PDF Download • (second) Henri Potiron (1882-1972)
—Another version by Henri Potiron.

*  PDF Download • Father Andrew Green (1865-1950)
—Father Green headed the music department at St. Benedict’s College (Atchison, KS).

*  PDF Download • Dom Gregory A. Murray (1905-1992)
—Dom Murray was a Downside Abbey monk who eventually came to hate Mocquereau’s method.

*  PDF Download • Dr. Eugene Lapierre (1957)
—Lapierre (University of Montreal) granted Roger Wagner his doctorate “in absentia” (from California).

Classical Solesmes Method:

UR SOCIETY has many excellent qualities, but there’s one thing people today seem incapable of appreciating: subtlety. That causes problems when we discuss musical phrasing, due to its delicacy. Grouping notes (or “phrasing”) is something teachers spend hours examining with students during lessons; and great musicians often disagree vociferously. Consider the way E. Power Biggs plays this section from a Bach Fugue. His phrasing (score) is not the “normal” way most organists group those patterns. Frankly, this subject is so delicate, I prefer not speak of it on the internet. Unfortunately, plainsong harmonizers have no choice—because the chords must be placed according to the note groupings. Dom André Mocquereau (d. 1930) formulated a very sophisticated method of grouping, which we now call the “classic Solesmes method.” Some people love it; others hate it. Regardless, Mocquereau never backed down, and we must admire his tenacity!

Needless to say, the Easter Sequence (Victimae Paschali Laudes) has neither dots nor episemata in the official edition:

Dom Mocquereau placed his “ictus” as follows:

Dom Mocquereau carefully avoids the tonic accent, which is how his method tries to “lighten” the accent, and keep the chant from becoming heavy:

Dom Mocquereau did this for the entire piece, as you can see:

*  PDF Download • Dom Mocquereau Rhythm
—Taken from 1957 Mass & Vespers (Solesmes Abbey).

This is quite different from “German Rhythm.” Consider this example by Dr. Peter Wagner:

Here’s another example of “German Rhythm,” this time from Max Springer of Beuron Abbey:

Here’s a third example of “German Rhythm,” from Father Franz Xaver Mathias:


NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

*   Something rather peculiar: Dom Desrocquettes died the same year as Henri Potiron died, and was born the same year as Achille P. Bragers was born.

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

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Filed Under: Articles, Featured, PDF Download Tagged With: Dom Mocquereau, Gregorian Chant Accompaniments, victimae paschali Last Updated: March 22, 2024

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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

    “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
    A Nice Hymn In Spanish
    In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.
    —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

When the matter is thus regarded, an assertion which is being made today, not only by laymen but also at times by certain theologians and priests and spread about by them, ought to be rejected as an erroneous opinion: namely, that the offering of one Mass, at which a hundred priests assist with religious devotion, is the same as a hundred Masses celebrated by a hundred priests. That is not true.

— Pope Pius XII (2 November 1954)

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