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Views from the Choir Loft

More on the Mystery Book

Jeff Ostrowski · September 15, 2020

UMEROUS TIMES in the past, we have spoken about a hymn book (published before the Second Vatican Council by Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes) vis-à-vis the decision made by the Brébeuf hymnal preparatory committee regarding literal translations. Specifically, this book by Solesmes Abbey is important because each hymn is given a literal English translation alongside the Latin. In the past, I have promised to reveal more about the Solesmes Abbey book—and I will do that as soon as possible.

Here are several images of the book itself:

74611-Charlie-H
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74611-Charlie-D
74611-Charlie-C
74611-Charlie-B
74611-Charlie-i
74611-Charlie-A

As we know, in addition to numerous “singable” (metrical) translations, the Brébeuf hymnal provides a literal translation. The Brébeuf translations were done by a Latin scholar. For many of the hymns, the Brébeuf version is the very first time in history an English translation has been published. Examples would include: Non Abluunt Lymphae Deum, Rebus Creatis Nil Egens, Rex Sempiterne Domine, Salve Caput Cruentatum, Sancti Venite, Victis Sibi Cognomina, Agnoscat Omne Saeculum, Hoste Dum Victo Triumphans, Jam Desinant Suspiria, and Ave Vivens Hostia (complete). Literal translations allow congregations to better understand the genius of Catholic poets who created the “singable” (metrical) translations.

For the record, the ligatures in the Solesmes book strike me as excellent:

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

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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Jean de Brebeuf Hymnal, Non Abluunt Lymphae Deum Last Updated: October 14, 2021

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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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

16 May 2022 • Harmonized Chant?

This year’s upcoming Sacred Music Symposium will demonstrate several ways to sing the CREDO at Mass. This is because—for many parishes—to sing a full-length polyphonic CREDO by Victoria or Palestrina is out of the question. Therefore, we show options that are halfway between plainsong and polyphony. You can hear my choir rehearsing a section that sounds like harmonized plainsong.

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • “Pure” Vatican Edition

As readers know, my choir has been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana. That is to say, the official rhythm which—technically—is the only rhythm allowed by the Church. I haven’t figured out how I want the scores to look, so in the meantime we’ve been using temporary scores that look like this. Stay tuned!

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • Gorgeous Book

If there is a more beautiful book than Abbat Pothier’s 1888 Processionale Monasticum, I don’t know what it might be. This gorgeous tome was today added to the Saint John Lalande Online Library. I wish I owned a physical copy.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“So, as in delirium a man talks in a long-forgotten tongue, now—when her heart is rent—the Catholic Church drops twenty centuries without an effort, and speaks as she spoke underground in Rome, and in Paul’s hired house, and in Crete and Alexandria and Jerusalem.”

— A non-Catholic describing the “Hagios O Theos” of Good Friday in 1906

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