Brébeuf Virtual Choir Strikes Again!

Andrea Leal · June 7, 2020

RECENTLY alerted our readers to a truly inspiring new initiative: The Brébeuf Virtual Choir. In a nutshell, these Catholic musicians were so disappointed this year’s Sacred Music Symposium was canceled (due to Covid-19) they decided to sing with each other virtually. Well, they’re at it again, with one of my favorite hymn arrangements of the ISTE CONFESSOR, with harmonies taken from the new Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal. Don’t miss marker 1:45; the beauty is palpable:

Towards the beginning of the video, there is a guest appearance by a famous FSSP priest—who sings on the video. I’d love to know how they made that happen!

Here’s how it sounded at the actual Sacred Music Symposium:

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

About Andrea Leal

Andrea Leal is a wife and homeschooling mother of 6 children. She serves as choir director for the Traditional Latin Mass in Las Vegas.—(Read full biography).

“Tonus Solemnior” • How old is it?

In the 1962 Missal, a section called “præfationes in tono solemniore” contains ornate melodies for the Preface. An article posted on the blog of the Church Music Association of America claims the tone comes from “the late 19th century” and said its elimination “is one of the very few good things which the post-Conciliar reform did for Gregorian chant.” The author said: “The Roman solemn preface tone is already beautiful enough, there was no need to give a more Romantic feel.”

Some have asked us whether the tonus solemnior comes from “the late 19th century.” It does not. Their author was wrong by at least 400 years. I have seen this tone in MSS from the 1400s—and it may go back even further. Here is an example from 1494AD. And here’s another from the 1400s. The FSSP priests use these tones on high feasts, and the effect is unforgettable.

—Jeff Ostrowski

6 January 2022 • Quick!

A short version of the INTROIT for the feast of the Epiphany has been added to the Saint René Goupil Gregorian Chant Website.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Confusing Feasts of Christmas

Whether one considers the Missale Vetustum or the post-conciliar calendar—or even the 1908 calendar—the feasts which follow Christmas are very confusing. Last year I created this comparison chart. I hope you find it helpful. As far as I can tell, my chart is the first effort to carefully detail the changes made to post-Christmas feasts (unless we also count the rather basic one by Lauren Pristas).

—Jeff Ostrowski

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About Andrea Leal