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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 • Extremely Simple (Yet Gorgeous) Polyphonic Funeral Mass

Jeff Ostrowski · October 23, 2020

HEN YOUNG CHURCH MUSICIANS emerge from the conservatory, they are filled with zeal. I wanted to sing every polyphonic piece ever written: Manchicourt, Pierre de la Rue, Marenzio, Lassus, Guerrero, Palestrina, the brothers Nanino, and so forth. I hated repeating pieces too frequently because I always wanted to be learning something new. 1 But one eventually realizes that pieces must be rehearsed repeatedly (even with professional singers) before the tuning “clicks”—perhaps because someone enjoying sight-reading can’t focus 100% on intonation. A mature choirmaster realizes that it is often better to sing a “simple” Mass setting, rather than a very difficult one. Shortly before the death of Pope Pius XII, the Sacred Congregation for Rites issued De musica sacra et sacra liturgia (3 September 1958):

“In general, it is better to do something well on a small scale than to attempt something elaborate without sufficient resources to do it properly.”—§60a

That, my friends, is the raison d’etre for this extremely simple yet absolutely gorgeous setting of the Requiem Mass: KYRIE, SANCTUS-HOSANNA, BENEDICTUS-HOSANNA, and AGNUS DEI. It is basically the same piece repeated five times:

If you have ever attended a Solemn Requiem Mass, you will never forget it. The holiness of the prayers—truly marvelous. The black vestments in particular are so very powerful. I have seen black & gold vestments, but my absolute favorite is black & silver. Stunning! The Requiem Mass demands a distinctive musical setting; an “ordinary” Ordinary won’t do…and please pardon the pun!

Requiem • “Kyrie Eleison”

*  PDF Download • REQUIEM KYRIE (Simple)
—After “Missa pro defunctis” (1605AD) by Father Tomás Luis de Victoria (d. 1611).

The following rehearsal videos were recorded by one person—Jeff Ostrowski—and he apologizes for the poor singing quality, but they were meant for rehearsal only.

EQUAL VOICES : YouTube   •   Mp3 Labeled
1st SOPRANO : YouTube   •   Mp3 Labeled
2nd SOPRANO : YouTube   •   Mp3 Labeled
ALTO : YouTube   •   Mp3 Labeled
1st TENOR : YouTube   •   Mp3 Labeled
2nd TENOR : YouTube   •   Mp3 Labeled
BASS : YouTube   •   Mp3 Labeled

Requiem • “Sanctus & Benedictus”

*  PDF Download • REQUIEM SANCTUS (Simple)
—After “Missa pro defunctis” (1605AD) by Father Tomás Luis de Victoria (d. 1611).

The following rehearsal videos were recorded by one person—Jeff Ostrowski—and he apologizes for the poor singing quality, but they were meant for rehearsal only.

EQUAL VOICES : YouTube   •   Mp3 Labeled
1st SOPRANO : YouTube   •   Mp3 Labeled
2nd SOPRANO : YouTube   •   Mp3 Labeled
ALTO : YouTube   •   Mp3 Labeled
1st TENOR : YouTube   •   Mp3 Labeled
2nd TENOR : YouTube   •   Mp3 Labeled
BASS : YouTube   •   Mp3 Labeled

Requiem • “Agnus Dei”

*  PDF Download • REQUIEM AGNUS DEI (Simple)
—After a manuscript (circa 1310AD) in the Worcester Cathedral Library.

EQUAL VOICES : YouTube   •   Mp3 Labeled
TOP : YouTube   •   Mp3 Labeled
MIDDLE : YouTube   •   Mp3 Labeled
BASS : YouTube   •   Mp3 Labeled

* You can hear how this Agnus Dei sounds in real life by listening to this live recording from a Funeral.

See also: #88089 — 3-part Medieval “Worcester” Agnus Dei

74094-Simple-Requiem-KYRIE
74094-Simple-Requiem-SANCTUS
74094-Simple-Requiem-AGNUS

 


NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Such an attitude is natural and healthy for a young choirmaster.

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

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Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Missa Pro Defunctis, Officium Defunctorum, Requiem Mass, Tomas Luis de Victoria Composer Last Updated: July 22, 2023

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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” • 14 September (Holy Cross)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for 14 September 2025, which is the Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross. 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
    New Bulletin Article • “14 September 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
    A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s “full, conscious, and active participation.” Its basic point or message is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music because Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    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

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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