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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Never Released Before! • Unique Version of “O Sacred Head Surrounded” (SATB)

Jeff Ostrowski · March 25, 2021

OW DO YOU get your point across? I’m talking about when you really really really want to get your point across? Teachers are always looking for different ways to get the point across to students. (By the way, if you’re a choirmaster, you’re ipso facto a teacher.) I wish I knew a method that would allow me to get a message to every reader regarding the rehearsal videos available for free. If people only knew about these resources, I think they’d be thrilled. I can’t believe nobody else has done this before now!

We are at it again (with my friends Andrea and Elizabeth) recording Hymn #441 from the Brébeuf hymnal:

Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #441.

O Caput Cruentatum

Please download this special SATB version of “O Caput Cruentatum,” which includes—for the very first time—an English translation:

*  PDF Download • “O Caput Cruentatum” (SATB)
—SATB harmonies, with English Translation courtesy of the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal.

That particular text—not identical to “Salve Caput Cruentatum” as found in the Brébeuf hymnal—is quite mysterious, and even Mr. John Julian doesn’t know its provenance. Andrew Hinkley, a very generous person, has provided a Plainchant Version if you don’t have resources to sing SATB. On 17 February 2021, which seems like just yesterday to be honest, we discussed that Cantus Gregorianus version along with another Lenten hymn called “Jam Christe Sol Justitiæ.”

A Truly Useful Book

One of the cool things about the Brébeuf hymnal happens at the bottom of each page. Reference numbers are given for “last verses.” That means special harmonizations written by organists such as Noel Rawsthorne. These are wonderful to help choirmasters discover interesting ways to harmonize hymn tunes.

Just how ancient are the hymns in the Brébeuf hymnal? Well, the short answer is: about 1,5000 years! Many of these Roman Catholic hymns are also contained in a special “Anglo-Saxon Hymnal” created around 1050AD. This book provides the Latin version, but also translates the hymns into Anglo-Saxon. Here is an example of #526 from the Brébeuf Hymnal:

Eleanor Parker was the one who brought that 11th-century Anglo-Saxon Hymnal to my attention.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: The Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal is a truly Catholic hymnal which contains fabulous tunes, marvelous texts, and beautiful Roman Catholic Theology. Just the other day, we spoke of “Ex More Docti Mystico,” which is featured in the Brébeuf hymnal. Here’s how that hymn appeared in the book from 1050AD:

Page 921 in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal talks about when the feast of the Annunciation (25 March) coincides with Good Friday, and I strongly recommend everyone read about that today. Today is the feast of the Annunciation.

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: Jam Christe Sol Justitiae, Jean de Brebeuf Hymnal, O Caput Cruentatum, O Sacred Head, O Sol Salutis Intimis, Sacred Head Surrounded, Salve caput cruentatum Last Updated: June 6, 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

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 everything of any importance at all, Sarum (and all other mediæval rites) was simply Roman, the rite which we still use.”

— Fr. Adrian Fortescue (1912)

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