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Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download • “Glory To God” (Three Voices)

Jeff Ostrowski · January 12, 2022

ATHER Cristóbal de Morales joined the papal choir on 1 September 1535, the very same day Pope Paul III commissioned Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel altar wall. Later, Morales said that Paul III personally chose him for the choir. No Spanish composer of the 16th century was more lauded during his lifetime—and for two hundred years after his death—than Morales. I personally believe his student, Father Francisco Guerrero, was an even greater composer; but it’s not really fair to compare them, since Father Morales must be viewed as “way ahead of his time,” whereas Father Guerrero had the benefit of discoveries Morales made.1

Less than 0.001%: Choirmasters who direct small choirs are always looking for great repertoire. The following incorporates a tiny little musical excerpt pillaged from a much larger work by Father Morales. Indeed, it represents less than 0.001% of his total output; but even the longest journey begins with a single step. Once your choir knows the piece, encourage them to read directly from the 14th-century notation (included in the PDF file) because this often heightens musicality.

Listen to a live recording our 9:00am “small choir” made last Sunday:

Listen to a short excerpt of the polyphonic section:

*  Mp3 Download • SHORT EXCERPT

Download the file: You can freely download the PDF file—along with rehearsal videos for each individual voice—by clicking on #55315 and searching for “55315.”

This article is part of an ongoing (loosely connected)
series called: Repertoire for Small Choirs

 


NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Father Morales first began to publish in 1539; two years later he was called “the most excellent Morales” and the next two decades saw forty (!) different publications containing his compositions appear at such diverse centers as Antwerp, Augsburg, Lyons, Milan, Nuremberg, Rome, Salamanca, Valladolid, Venice, and Wittenberg.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Catholic Composer Cristobal de Morales, Pieces For Small Choirs Last Updated: January 14, 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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Corpus Christi Watershed

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

“The recitation of the Office of the Dead, the Christmas Office, the spectacle of the days of Holy Week, the sublime chant of the Exultet, beside which the most intoxicating accents of Sophocles and Pindar seemed to me to be insignificant—all of this overwhelmed me with respect and joy, with gratitude, repentance, and adoration!”

— Paul Claudel (1913)

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Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.