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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

PDF Download • “Sanctus for Three Voices” (Soprano, Alto, and Bass)

Jeff Ostrowski · April 6, 2021

OU WILL SURELY agree that generous people made a difference in your life, but sometimes you didn’t appreciate their kindness until decades later. The team at Corpus Christi Watershed is betting on something. May I tell you what we’re betting on? We believe that the subjects we explore will give ideas and inspiration to church musicians. As a result, we hope that virtuous readers will say: “I really appreciate having this group to give me inspiration, nice articles, and rare PDF downloads.” Then, we hope you will donate $5.00 per month and help us survive. We have no major donors and no endowment—we only survive from generous Catholics who give $5.00 per month.

Harmonized Plainsong :

Today I would like to speak about the concept of harmonized Gregorian chant. In the past, we have seen this with “O Filii Et Filiae” by Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel. You can hear a recording, or you can download the score if you go scroll down to #5909.

Here is a “harmonized chant” by the successor of Monsignor Jules Van Nuffel, a wonderful composer named Monsignor Jules Vyverman. We were only allowed to have one rehearsal for Easter Sunday (thanks to Mdme. Covid-19) so we quickly put together this SANCTUS for three voices:

*  PDF Download • “SANCTUS” for Soprano, Alto, and Bass
—A setting Monsignor Jules Vyverman.

Richard Rice Kyrie VIII :

Another fantastic example of harmonized plainsong is the Mass VIII (Missa de Angelis) setting by Richard Rice. Thanks to generous permission from the composer (21 June 2015), you can download the score and rehearsal videos at #4781. Moreover, Mr. Rice has composed a complete setting of all the movements to Mass VIII.

Here is the live recording from Easter Sunday in Los Angeles.

Of course I am biased, but I really feel there are some glorious moments here—in spite of the fact it was done with only one rehearsal. I’m so proud of the way the singers have responded to the draconian restrictions of Covid-19.

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

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Filed Under: Articles, Featured Tagged With: Canon Jules Van Nuffel d 1953, Gregorian Mass XVII, Harmonized Gregorian Chant, Mass of the Angels, Missa de angelis, Monsignor Jules Vyverman, O Filii Et Filiae Last Updated: April 30, 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

When we say: “The people like this” we regard them as unable to develop, as animals rather than human beings, and we simply neglect our duties in helping them towards a true human existence — indeed, in this case, to truly Christian existence.

— Professor László Dobszay (2003)

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