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Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download • “Pater Noster” by Van Nuffel (1937)

Jeff Ostrowski · August 27, 2021

ARDINAL MERCIER told the young Fulton J. Sheen something he never forgot: “Tear up your notes at the end of each semester.” When teachers don’t learn new things, they stagnate. Throughout my career, I have tried to follow the advice of Cardinal Mercier: I’m always looking for new music. I don’t teach the same pieces over and over and over. And below is a fascinating composition I discovered a few years ago when I was searching for repertoire for the Sacred Music Symposium which is held annually in Los Angeles (although it is currently postponed due to Covid-19).

“Our Father” SATB: Monsignor Van Nuffel was ordained by Cardinal Mercier in 1907. Thirty years later, he published this magnificent choral setting of the LORD’S PRAYER. He breaks many ‘proper’ rules of voice-leading, yet somehow creates an utter masterpiece. I suspect it was sung during the Divine Office; it would not have been sung during the Mass of the 1930s. You can download the piece in two different keys:

*  PDF Download • PATER NOSTER — “G Aeolian”
—Transposed to a higher (more comfortable) key.

*  PDF Download • PATER NOSTER — “F Aeolian”
—In the original key, for choirs with very low basses.

Everyone should be
taking advantage of these
free rehearsal videos—
for each individual voice:

EQUAL VOICES :   Lower Key   •   Higher Key

SOPRANO :   Lower Key   •   Higher Key

ALTO :   Lower Key   •   Higher Key

TENOR :   Lower Key   •   Higher Key

BASS :   Lower Key   •   Higher Key

Below is a picture of Cardinal Mercier in 1926. From what I can tell, the inscription says: The Most Eminent and Reverend Desideratus Joseph Cardinal Mercier (in French: Désiré-Joseph Mercier), the Archbishop of Malines.

From a Latin scholar:

Eminentissimus ac Reverendissimus Dominus Desiderius Josephus Cardinalis Mercier Archiepiscopus Mechlinensis aet. a. LXXV

Which, being translated, is:

The Most Eminent and Most Reverend Lord Désiré-Joseph Cardinal Mercier Archbishop of Mechelen (or: Malines) in the 75th year of his age

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

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Filed Under: Articles, Featured, PDF Download Tagged With: Canon Jules Van Nuffel d 1953, Pater Noster Music Last Updated: September 1, 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

    26 January 2023 • FEEDBACK
    “Jeff, I wanted to personally thank you for your spiritual witness at the Symposium & often blogs that you write too. Praying that prayer in the mornings My God, my Father and my all (by Cardinal Merry Del Val), mentioning saints’ stories of Brébeuf, Jogues, John Vianney, monks who fought in WWII, their hard work in spite of terrible conditions, their relentless zeal for the faith, their genuine love for the laypeople they served, etc. Overall though—more than anything concrete I can point to that you did or said—it was your demeanor at the Symposium. I could tell you really absolutely love and believe the Catholic Faith. You don’t get that everywhere, even in Church circles. And your humility is what then makes that shine even brighter. It is super inspiring! God is working through you probably way more than you know.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Symposium Draft Schedule Released!
    Those who head over to the Symposium Website will notice the tentative schedule for 2023 has been released. This is all very exciting! Very soon, we will begin accepting applications, so please make sure you have subscribed to our mailing list. If you are subscribed, that means you'll hear announcements before anyone else. (It’s incredibly easy to subscribe to our mailing list; just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.)
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Good Friday Polyphony by L. Senfl
    The editor of the Sacred Music Magazine recently made available to the public this splendid article by our own Charles Weaver. It includes an edition of polyphony for the GOOD FRIDAY “Reproaches.” Renaissance composers often set the various offices of Holy Week; e.g. readers will probably be familiar with the beautiful TENEBRAE setting by Father Tomás Luis de Victoria (d. 1611). From what I can tell, Ludwig Senfl (d. 1543) was originally a Catholic priest, but eventually was seduced by Luther and ended up abandoning the sacred priesthood.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

The Sacrifice is celebrated with many solemn rites, none of which should be deemed useless or superfluous. On the contrary, all of them tend to display the majesty of this august sacrifice, and to excite the faithful, when beholding these saving mysteries, to contemplate the divine things which lie concealed in the Eucharistic Sacrifice.

— Catechism of the Council of Trent (1566)

Recent Posts

  • 26 January 2023 • FEEDBACK
  • Symposium Draft Schedule Released!
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  • Good Friday Polyphony by L. Senfl
  • PDF Download • 1909 “Modern Notation” Gradual (Extremely Rare) — 712 Pages

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