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Views from the Choir Loft

The First Time We’ve Ever Done This Correctly!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 16, 2020

N THE HUNDREDTH anniversary of the publication of the Editio Vaticana GRADUAL, Jeffrey Tucker asked me if he could scan my personal copy, which I had purchased from Germany. In 2008, I published an article in the SACRED MUSIC MAGAZINE—which begins on page 21—explaining the melismatic moræ vocis. In my article, you’ll find the following sentence, which Jeffrey Tucker wrote:

“The Vatican Edition of the Graduale Romanum is now online. I’m happy to report that it is my personal copy that now resides on the CMAA server and is bringing this beautiful book—all 940 pages of it—to the world for the first time, and on its hundredth anniversary.”

Mr. Tucker insisted that I include his words, even though I felt they made me sound arrogant. In any event, if you look in that 1908 Graduale, you will notice how Abbot Pothier included a section called “De Ritibus Servandis In Cantu Missae.” I published an English translation of this document in January of 2017 (cf. Nine Rubrics for Mass in the Extraordinary Form). Here’s what Abbot Pothier says about singing the ALLELUIA:

Translated into English, that means: “If two Alleluias with a verse are to be sung, the first Alleluia is chanted by one or two voices up to the asterisk: the choir then repeats the Alleluia and adds the neume (or “jubilus”), drawing out the syllable “A.” The Cantors sing the Verse, which is completed in full chorus from the asterisk, as before. The Verse done, the Cantor or Cantors repeat the Alleluia, and the chorus adds the neume only.”

However, we never follow that. We always have the entire choir repeat the final Alleluia, from beginning to end. If you ask me why I don’t do it correctly, I don’t really have a good answer; we just don’t.

Here is how it’s supposed to be done:

On the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we did it correctly for the first time ever!

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: De Ritibus Servandis, melismatic morae vocis, Propers Our Lady Guadalupe Last Updated: December 17, 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

The liturgical reform bears absolutely no relation to what is called “desacralization” and in no way intends to lend support to the phenomenon of “secularizing the world.” Accordingly the rites must retain their dignity, spirit of reverence, and sacred character.

— Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship (5 September 1970)

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