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Views from the Choir Loft

“Three Hymns for Lent” • (Rec. 03/10/2022)

Jeff Ostrowski · March 15, 2022

NE OF MY PROFESSORS used to say: “Sometimes what goes without saying needs to be said.” The Brébeuf hymnal was designed to get congregations singing. The Brébeuf is not a reprint of the Liber Usualis. The Brébeuf is not a reprint of Cantus Varii, the Liber Cantualis, or Cantus Selecti. The Brébeuf is not a reprint of the Antiphonale Romanum or the Liber Gradualis. The Brébeuf hymnal was designed for congregations; therefore, most of its hymns are in English.1 It has never been the tradition in America to have congregations sing hymns in Latin—although Adéste Fidéles is certainly an exception to that rule. Neither is it traditional for priests to preach their homilies in Latin.

Leading The Way: The Brébeuf hymnal contains approximately 700 hymns. It does contain Latin hymns, but these are provided with metrical and literal English translations. The literal translations were done by a brilliant FSSP priest, and—until he contributed his works to the Brébeuf hymnal—several of these ancient Latin hymns had never been given a literal English translation before. The Brébeuf melodies (such as SAXONY) can also be adapted to Latin—it’s a book which inspires and leads the way. Here’s an example of how that works:

*  PDF Download • “O Sol Salutis, Intimis”
—Before 1629AD, this hymn was known as Jam Christe Sol Justitiæ.

Same Melody, 2nd Time: You can also sing that same melody in English. Page 215 in the Brébeuf hymnal has an English translation of Ex More Docti Mystico by Father Fitzpatrick, an Oblate of Mary:

REHEARSAL VIDEOS for each individual voice await you at #215.

Same Melody, 3rd Time: If you look on page 93 of the Brébeuf hymnal, you will see another ancient hymn for Lent: Audi Benigne Conditor. The same melody can be used, with a marvelous translation by Father Fitzpatrick:

REHEARSAL VIDEOS for each individual voice await you at #093.

 


NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Choirs will want to purchase the Brébeuf choral supplement, and organists will want the Brébeuf accompaniment volumes.

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Audi Benigne Conditor, Ex More Docti Mystico, O Sol Salutis Intimis Last Updated: March 20, 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

    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

“Except the psalms or canonical Scriptures of the new and old Testaments, nothing composed poetically shall be sung in church, as the holy canons command.”

— ‘Council of Braga, 563AD’

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