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Views from the Choir Loft

Communication • Re: Modern Catholic Hymns

Jeff Ostrowski · September 26, 2020

HE BLOG of the Church Music Association of America said of the Brébeuf hymnal: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.” That same article also declared it to be “…hands down, the best Catholic hymnal ever published.” Of course there are many reasons why this is so, but something you might not realize is that the book contains many new melodies written specifically for this publication. A partial list would include: CAMCOLT, ROGERS PARK, MANKATO, HEUSTIS, RUNNELLS, SILLERY, FORTESCUE, RAYMBAULT, CLERMONT, ST RITA, and FIORILLO.

Almost without exception, these melodies are modal. In my humble opinion, they remind one of Gustav Theodore Holst’s “fresh and beutiful” hymn tune called THAXTED. Perhaps an expert like Charles Weaver could explain the modality of this tune. Due to its frequent plagal cadences, it strikes me as “semi-modal.”

The Brébeuf hymnal uses THAXTED for three different texts, and here’s one of them:

Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #865.

The hymn melody THAXTED was originally set to a secular melody: I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above. Believe it or not, “sharing” often occurs between secular and sacred melodies. For instance, the melody for “America the Beautiful” was originally a hymn tune. There is not a “correct” text for this hymn—and the Brébeuf choices are quite clever. However, other hymnals have attempted similar pairings. An example would be Number 539 in The Collegeville Hymnal, published by Father Edward J. McKenna in 1990. The Brébeuf example above is a paraphrase of Psalm 71. You can decide for yourself how closely the poet matched the text:

The hymn THAXTED is usually sung unison:

…but as you can see, the Brébeuf hymnal provided harmonies. I am not aware of any other hymnals—except for the Brébeuf—which provide a 4-part (SATB) setting for THAXTED.

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, THAXTED HYMN TUNE Last Updated: September 26, 2020

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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

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

Random Quote

«In the same quarter where he was crucified there was a garden.» (John 19:41) — The word “garden” hinted at Eden and the fall of man, as it also suggested through its flowers in the springtime the Resurrection from the dead.

— Fulton J. Sheen

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