Views from the Choir Loft

Silence and The Thoughts of His Heart

Richard J. Clark · June 19, 2020

HERE HAS BEEN been too much hurt and suffering in the world to express anything adequately in words. There is societal and personal pain, grief in the music world, challenge in our liturgical and sacramental life.

Our souls are hurting and in crisis.

I am reminded of the need for silence: “Music arises out of silence and returns to silence…The importance of silence in the Liturgy cannot be overemphasized. (§118. Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship)

I have no words.

I LEAVE YOU WITH TWO instrumental works upon which to meditate, first, an organ work based on the Introit to the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: The Thoughts of His Heart.

The second is a four-movement meditation on Psalm 139 Fearfully and Wonderfully Made with Richard Kelley, trumpet. This work will be published with WLP/G.I.A. You’ll notice the Covid-19 spacing in our informal video.

Wishing you peace and love,
Richard

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made
I. Lord, You Have Searched Me
Psalm 139:1 Lord, you have searched me, you know me.

II. You Know When I Sit and When I Arise.
139:2 You know when I sit and when I arise; you know my thoughts, even from afar.

III. Where Can I Flee from Your Presence?
Psalm 139:7 Where can I run from your spirit or where can I flee from your presence? If I should go to the heavens, there you are; if I sleep in the depths, you are also there.

IV. I Am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Psalm 139:14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. All your works are wonderful; this I know full well.

Recorded at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston

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

About Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski