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Views from the Choir Loft

The Official Chant Rhythm • “How Does It Sound?”

Jeff Ostrowski · June 1, 2022

HE DECREE of the Sacred Congregation of Rites dated 25 February 1911 declared: “The Vatican Edition of the Gregorian liturgical books, with its traditional notation and the rules printed in the front of the Roman Gradual, contains absolutely all [satis superque] that is needed for the exact rendition of the liturgical chant.” Abbat Pothier—the scholar appointed by Pope Saint Pius X to create the Editio Vaticana—in his famous “De Caetero” Letter (January 1906) warned against haphazardly applying rhythmic signs to the official edition, because the Editio Vaticana takes into consideration the entire Gregorian tradition rather than markings from a particular monastery, manuscript, country, or century.

Demonstration Please? But what does the official rhythm actually sound like? Below is a recording done according to the “pure” Editio Vaticana rhythm, which is (technically) the only interpretation allowed. I don’t claim it’s perfect—but it adheres strictly to the official rhythm:

*  PDF Download • Alleluia + Tract (Pentecost Vigil)
—This is identical to the Alleluia & Tract on Easter Eve.

Not Too Difficult: Some claim it’s too difficult to spot the “blank spaces” and apply the moræ vocis; but consider what was happening in 1905. Life was tough! Most did not have electric lights, plumbing, or cars. Airplanes, computers, Google maps, and air conditioning would not arrive for decades. Ordinary people (such as Richard Nixon’s father) often constructed their own homes! If they can do all that, surely we can spot a few blank spaces. By the way, notice how the “melismatic moræ vocis” were often marked by bars in Pothier’s 1883 edition (which was used as the basis for the Editio Vaticana):

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

Filed Under: Articles, Featured Tagged With: melismatic morae vocis, Vigil of Pentecost Last Updated: June 1, 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

    Requesting Our Advent Eucharistic Hymn
    A young lady named Agnes wrote to us: “Dear Mr. Ostrowski, do you have the PDF score for Ave Corpus Domini set to the ADVENT melody? Last year, we sang the hymn tune “Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland” quite a bit using your contrafactum technique. My choir appreciates the Latin hymns and practice videos, especially in the ADVENT and CHRISTMAS seasons. Your recent article on Gregorian Psalm Tones is a great help to my organist brother, and reminds us of attending VESPERS years ago when we lived in California. Thank you so much for all the effort put into providing these wonderful resources!”   Agnes, if you are listening! Yes, the PDF file you desire can be downloaded for free at the Brébeuf Portal via this URL link. Thanks for writing to us!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Message from the Vice-President!
    The Vice-President of the Church Music Association of America, Dr. Horst Buchholz (who also serves as Director of Sacred Music for the Archdiocese of Detroit) sent us an email yesterday regarding the harmonizations (PDF) I composed for the Gregorian Chant psalm tones. Dr. Buchholz says: “Those settings are absolutely exquisite, as I'm used to when it comes from you. Bravo! Well done! Now, as a sequel, if you could write something for accompanying psalms in English that would be awesome.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Seven (7) Hymn Verses for November!
    In the month of November, we remember in a special way the souls in purgatory. The BRÉBEUF HYMNAL often includes text alone versions for its hymns; why is that? The short answer is: flexibility. The “text only” version allows each choirmaster to employ a myriad of melodies. For example, I recently set the English translation of “De Profúndis” with the DAVOST MELODY (PDF). We are singing this before November ends. Indeed, you can hear our volunteer singing this (in real life) if you click here.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“So, as in delirium a man talks in a long-forgotten tongue, now—when her heart is rent—the Catholic Church drops twenty centuries without an effort, and speaks as she spoke underground in Rome, and in Paul’s hired house, and in Crete and Alexandria and Jerusalem.”

— A non-Catholic describing the “Hagios O Theos” of Good Friday in 1906

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