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Views from the Choir Loft

“Part 2 of 3” • Guerrero Kyrie for Our Lady

Jeff Ostrowski · June 7, 2021

NOWLEDGE GAINED by experience: nothing else can replace this. A presenter could talk for 30 years about “how to train a choir well”—but even that would not replace the actual experience of standing in front of a choir. Anyone with an internet connection can pontificate about choral music—yet almost instantly I can tell if the pontificator has ever stood before a choir in real life. Those who have experience conducting amateur choirs realize that choir rehearsal is like entering a “time warp.” Time moves so quickly, it’s as if rehearsal is over as soon as it begins!

Practical Application: Because of this reality, there’s limited time to work on choral vowels, blending, rhythm, pitch, dynamics, pronunciation, and so forth. Therefore, we often follow the 1958 document of Pope Pius XII, which wisely stated: “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.” Of course, if you have infinite rehearsal time, it would be different—but how many of us have sufficient rehearsal time?

Part 2 of 3: On 23 May 2021, I spoke about a possible way forward in Part 1. Now, I am happy to announce that the “Christe” section is ready—and it is one of the most beautiful compositions I have ever heard, although it’s surprisingly brief:

*  PDF • Father Guerrero “Kyrie Part 2”
—Taken from “De Beata Virgine II” — Edition: Roma 1582AD.

Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #63503.

Notice the very clever way Father Guerrero uses the plainsong motif from Kyrie IX:

Until my choir learns Part 3, we are singing Part 1 (“Kyrie”) twice, Part 2 (“Christe”) twice, and Part 1 (“Kyrie”) once. Please see the link I mentioned above—viz. Part 1—if you are having trouble understanding how we sometimes learn these compositions “piecemeal.”

Please go explore #63503 — I think you will really appreciate what’s there, and also Part 1 is conveniently located right above it. Please go there!

Click here to learn about a special portrait of Father Guerrero that Corpus Christi Watershed commissioned from a Russian artist in 2016:

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: Easy Polyphony For Amateurs, Francisco Guerrero Composer, Missa De Beata Virgine II, Piecemeal Polyphony Last Updated: February 26, 2022

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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

    PDF • “For the Season of Pentecost”
    During the season of Pentecost, you might consider using this 2-page Piece “for the season of Pentecost.” Rehearsal videos are available at #40691, but the lyrics are different. Therefore, make sure your choir members understand that one can rehearse songs that have different lyrics (“CONTRAFACT”).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • (This Coming Sunday)
    Our volunteer choir appreciates training videos, so here's my attempt at recording “Exáudi Dómine Vocem Meam,” which is the INTROIT for this coming Sunday. This coming Sunday is Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the feast of the Ascension”). It is sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Volunteer Choir Attempts “Kýrie Eléison”
    My volunteer choir attempted the polyphonic KYRIE that will be sung at this year's Sacred Music Symposium. If you're interested, you can listen to the live recording from last Sunday. The piece is based on the ancient plainchant hymn melody: Ave Maris Stella. Polyphony like this is truly intricate and wonderful. It reminds me of the quote by Artur Schnabel: “music that's greater than it can be performed.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“If we continue to tolerate sad examples of liturgical abnormalities, experimentation, abuse, and simply poor-quality liturgies, why should we single out those connected to the ancient rites of the Church for special vigilance? It just doesn’t seem right.”

— An Example of a response (sent to Pope Francis) Re: the TLM

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