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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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Views from the Choir Loft

“Stowe Missal Eucharistic Motets” • For 3 Voices

Jeff Ostrowski · June 14, 2022

UGE NEWS for choir directors! World-renowned composer Kevin Allen has created terrific Eucharistic Motets for three voices: SOPRANO, ALTO, and BASS. The texts chosen are from the ancient “Stowe Missal” (circa 750AD). That is to say, inside the 1,300-year-old Stowe Missal, special texts are given for the distribution of Holy Communion—and these are what Mr. Allen has set to music.

You Don’t Have To Wait: The collection is finished, and scheduled to be released on 12 July 2022. But you don’t have to wait! You can pick up a copy of Matri Dinivæ Gratiæ right now—and those marvelous motets are quite similar in style to the (forthcoming) Stowe Missal collection. They are absolute masterpieces—trust me!—and we sing them every week. Later, when the STOWE MISSAL MOTETS come out in July, you can add those to your collection as well.

Sample Score: Below is an example from the STOWE MISSAL MOTETS. It is being premiered at Sacred Music Symposium 2022, conducted by Charlotte Lansberg Merrill, a close associate (for many years) of Paul Salamunovich. I recorded all three voices myself, so you’ll have to tolerate my screechy Soprano notes:

*  PDF Download • Sample Score
—The STOWE MISSAL EUCHARISTIC MOTETS are scheduled to be released on 12 July 2022.

M Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #53338.

Gloomy News: Most readers won’t click on the individual voice parts—and that makes me sad. When we post a “scandalous” liturgical video, we get 40,000 views. I wish we could get as many views for the rehearsal videos, because we must revive authentic sacred music!

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Paul Salamunovich Last Updated: June 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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Quick Thoughts

Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“It would be a grave error to imagine that the principle orientation of the sacrificial action is towards the community. If the priest celebrates «VERSUS POPULUM», which is legitimate and often advisable, his spiritual attitude ought always to be «VERSUS DEUM PER JESUM CHRISTUM», as representative of the entire Church.”

— Official Vatican Statement (25 September 2000)

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