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Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download • “Four Easy Pieces” (Smaller Choirs)

Jeff Ostrowski · November 3, 2021

Sometimes we have numerous Solemn High Masses during the week, and it’s impossible to expect the full choir to sing for all of them. That means we have a “smaller crew”—and that’s okay because there’s tons of music that can be done with limited performing forces. On the feast of All Saints (November 1st) we sang hymn #165 from the Brébeuf hymnal using just the SOPRANO and ALTO lines:

The text is the traditional hymn for the feast of All Saints:

Christe, Redémptor ómnium,
Consérva tuos fámulos,
Beátae semper Vírginis
Placátus sanctis précibus.

O Christ, Redeemer of all,
appeased by the holy prayers
of the ever-blessed Virgin,
do Thou protect Thy servants.

When Pope Urban VIII “corrupted” all the breviary hymns in 1631AD, here’s what he did to this particular hymn:

Placáre Christe sérvulis,
Quibus Patris cleméntiam,
Tuæ ad Tribúnal grátiæ,
Patróna Virgo póstulat.

Be merciful, Christ, to Your servants,
for whom our advocate, the Virgin,
asks the Father’s mercy
at the throne of grace.

A very simple (yet beautiful) piece is “Lux Alma, Jesu, Mentium” which comes from a long poem by Saint Bernard: “Jesu Dulcis Memoria.” Notice that—courtesy of the Brébeuf hymnal—a very special organ accompaniment has been included:

*  PDF Download • Lux Alma Jesu Mentium
—Including an organ accompaniment.

The poem reminds us that we believe in a God whom we cannot see. Father John Connelly translates the second verse as: How happy the man that is host to You, for You are the companion of the Father at His right hand. You are the light that consoles heaven, but is unseen by man on earth. By the way, this verse doesn’t mean we cannot see Jesus under the forms of bread and wine. Nor does it mean we cannot see Jesus in the face of the poor, or the purity of a snowflake, or the magnificence of the universe.

The next hymn is really wonderful. It’s called “Jesu Nostra Redemptio,” and it’s appropriate throughout the liturgical year. Just like the previous hymn, numerous versions of this hymn were included (in English) in the Brébeuf hymnal. Moreover, the Brébeuf hymnal contains important addenda, such as theological explanations.

*  PDF Download • Jesu Nostra Redemptio
—An organ accompaniment has been included.

My favorite verse addresses the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity:

What mercy conquered thee,
so as to bear our misdeeds,
suffering a cruel death,
so as to lift us from death?

The following tune was used in The Pope Pius XII Hymnal (1959) which we have spoken about in the past. It’s a famous melody—from around 1440AD—called “BRESLAU,” and Felix Mendelssohn wrote a famous arrangement of it for Saint Paul Oratorio (1836).

The special way the verses are notated in the Brébeuf Choral Supplement makes it possible to add parts instantly; it’s incredible that no book ever did this until the Brébeuf hymnal came along.

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: Easy Polyphony For Amateurs, Felix Mendelssohn, Hymns for Small Choirs, Pieces For Small Choirs, Urbanite Hymn Reform Last Updated: November 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

    Hymn by Cardinal Newman
    During the season of Septuagesima, we will be using this hymn by Cardinal Newman, which employs both Latin and English. (Readers probably know that Cardinal Newman was one of the world's experts when it comes to Lingua Latina.) The final verse contains a beautiful soprano descant. Father Louis Bouyer—famous theologian, close friend of Pope Paul VI, and architect of post-conciliar reforms—wrote thus vis-à-vis the elimination of Septuagesima: “I prefer to say nothing, or very little, about the new calendar, the handiwork of a trio of maniacs who suppressed (with no good reason) Septuagesima and the Octave of Pentecost and who scattered three quarters of the Saints higgledy-piddledy, all based on notions of their own devising!”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • Candlemas (2 February)
    “Candlemas” • Our choir sang on February 2nd, and here's a live recording of the beautiful INTROIT: Suscépimus Deus. We had very little time to rehearse, but I think it has some very nice moments. I promise that by the 8th Sunday after Pentecost it will be perfect! (That Introit is repeated on the 8th Sunday after Pentecost.) We still need to improve, but we're definitely on the right track!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplified Antiphons • “Candlemas”
    Anyone who desires simplified antiphons (“psalm tone versions”) for 2 February, the Feast of the Purification—which is also known as “Candlemas” or the Feast of the Presentation—may freely download them. The texts of the antiphons are quite beautiful. From “Lumen Ad Revelatiónem Géntium” you can hear a live excerpt (Mp3). I'm not a fan of chant in octaves, but we had such limited time to rehearse, it seemed the best choice. After all, everyone should have an opportunity to learn “Lumen Ad Revelatiónem Géntium,” which summarizes Candlemas.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“To me it is a most inspiring reflection that, while empires and kingdoms have tumbled down, while language and custom of every kind have changed beyond recognition, still day by day the humblest Catholic priest in the remotest mission stands at his altar dressed in the garb of old Rome.”

— Father Adrian Fortescue (8 February 1912)

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