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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

“No hymn deserves more to be reintroduced in our catholic tradition.” —Dom Ermin Vitry

Jeff Ostrowski · May 3, 2021

HICH VERNACULAR HYMN is the most ancient? Like so many liturgical items, the answer is complicated. Father Robert Skeris said Christ ist erstanden—a Leise from the 12th century—is “the oldest preserved Easter hymn in the vernacular.” A 14th century version (in campo aperto) can be found on folio 83v in the KLOSTERNEUBURG MS #1213. Yes, that means ancient Latin manuscripts suddenly break into German (“Christ ist erstanden”) for this little tune—and I realize some will find that remarkable. In 1943, Dom Hügle attempted to match a Latin text with the famous tune, but it has several awkward moments. The Brébeuf hymnal (Sophia Institute Press, 2018) uses the text of the Church’s oldest Latin Eucharistic hymn, which fits like a glove. The Brébeuf hymnal also provides an English version, translated by Fr. Adrian Fortescue. Unlike other translations—such as the one by Dr. John M. Neale—Fortescue’s translation matches the original meter.

We had a new group of singers yesterday and needed a nice little hymn. Here’s our live recording:

*  YouTube • VERSION IN LATIN
—Number 465 from the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal.

*  YouTube • VERSION IN ENGLISH
—Number 464 from the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal.

*  PDF Download • Original Text (7th Century)
—Hat tip to Steven Van Roode and the Library of Milan.

Of course Father Fortescue was not the only person to translate this hymn into English. For example, a Roman Catholic poet named Denis Florence MacCarthy also produced a very fine English translation, but unlike the version in the Brébeuf hymnal, MacCarthy’s doesn’t match the original meter:

Many composers set Christ ist erstanden. For example, the Flemish composer Jacob Regnart (d. 1599) created an entire Mass based upon it. Each movement (KYRIE, GLORIA, CREDO, SANCTUS, BENEDICTUS, AGNUS) quotes the famous melody:

*  PDF Download • KYRIE
—Jakob Regnardt (d. 1599) Missa super “Christ ist erstanden”

The complete Mass is quite beautiful, and we are considering singing it at our FSSP parish. I often tell my choir members how the best composers tended to die around 1599AD—it’s quite remarkable! Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (d. 1594); Orlande de Lassus (d. 1594); Annibale Zoilo (d. 1592); Jacob Regnart (d. 1599); Luca Marenzio (d. 1599); Father Francisco Guerrero (d. 1599); and so forth.

At the height of the Second World War, Dom Ermin Vitry wrote about Christ ist erstanden as follows: “There is no motet or hymn which deserves more to be reintroduced in our catholic tradition. The proof of its musical superiority is proven by the fact that J. Sebastian Bach composed on its design more than seven figured chorals.” He is correct—for example, search YouTube for the Bach Cantata with “Christ lag in Todesbanden.”

How Old Is This?

The melody in the Brébeuf hymnal is from approximate 1150AD.

The text in the Brébeuf hymnal is from approximately 625AD.

The harmonies in the Brébeuf hymnal are from 2018.

Remember that texts are always going to be “older” than melodies, because humanity didn’t figure out how to write down melodies until about 950AD, thanks especially to a Benedictine monk named Guido d’Arezzo. For more information about the Church’s oldest Latin Eucharistic hymn, please see:

*  Collected Articles • “The Oldest Latin Eucharistic Hymn”

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

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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Oldest Latin Eucharistic Hymn, Sancti Venite Eucharistic Last Updated: May 3, 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

“Catholics in America have been the heirs of a sentimental and subjective hymn tradition that, for some reason or other, has taken a deep and fast hold on the fancy of the average person.”

— Fr. Francis Brunner (1953)

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