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Views from the Choir Loft

“Easy Polyphonic Agnus Dei” • Part 3 of 3

Jeff Ostrowski · September 24, 2021

HERE ARE, OF COURSE, numerous reasons authentic Catholic music has not been universally embraced (yet). One reason is difficult for some to accept: polyphony is frequently sung badly—with unbalanced voices, improper vowels, poor tuning, and so forth. The ability to sight-read music instantly does not guarantee a good performance. Choirs must sing polyphony multiple times before the harmonies “click.” Often, a performance can be greatly improved by simply shuffling your singers around. 1

Piecemeal Polyphony: Here in Los Angeles, we take advantage of a solution called “piecemeal polyphony.” I’ve spoken of this before; it means when we sing a polyphonic KYRIE ELEYSON, we begin by singing the third section (which is usually the hardest), mixing with plainsong in an ABA structure. Then we add the “Christe” section. Finally, we add the first section—and the piece is complete.

Bookmark This Link: Today, I am thrilled to release “Part 3 of 3” for a simple polyphonic setting of the AGNUS DEI. You will want to bookmark this URL, where you can easily access all three sections.

If you want to see a “Piecemeal Kyrie,” you can click here.

Here’s the final section:

*  PDF Download • AGNUS DEI (“Part 3 of 3”)
—The 2nd and 3rd sections are by Father Guerrero, the 1st by Nanino.

Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #59013.

Deep Sadness: My soul is sad because most readers will not click on that 59013 link. As a result, they will miss out on the rehearsal videos for each individual voice; and those are very helpful for volunteer choirs! Mark my words: most readers will not explore that link—which fills me with gloom.


NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   This is often called “Doctor James Daugherty’s Solution.” It consists of spending hours shuffling your singers, finding out which voices sound good standing next to one another. Shifting “John Doe” from the left side of someone to his right side can instantly make a tremendous difference—but, of course, this requires time and effort.

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: Francisco Guerrero Composer, Piecemeal Agnus Dei, Piecemeal Polyphony, Simple 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 I could only make the faithful sing the Kyrie, the Gloria, the Credo, the Sanctus, and the Agnus Dei…that would be to me the finest triumph sacred music could have, for it is in really taking part in the liturgy that the faithful will preserve their devotion. I would take the Tantum Ergo, the Te Deum, and the Litanies sung by the people over any piece of polyphony.”

— ‘Giuseppe Cardinal Sarto, Letter to Msgr. Callegari (1897)’

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