• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

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

  • Our Team
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Saint Antoine Daniel KYRIALE
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
  • Donate
Views from the Choir Loft

“Chant Rhythm Wars” • Dueling Lectures!

Corpus Christi Watershed · July 6, 2022

ILLI APEL, in his famous book on Gregorian chant, declared that “nobody knows anything about Gregorian rhythm” (page 126). During Sacred Music Symposium 2022, two scholars gave “dueling lectures” regarding the subject of Gregorian rhythm—and it would seem they disagree with Dr. Apel. During the conference, both lectures were referred to by ‘working’ titles which were later changed (when the lectures were published).*

First Lecture: The first lecture by Jeff Ostrowski deals with Gregorian rhythm from the perspective—generally speaking—of those who value Dom Pothier’s theories. [Mr. Ostrowski’s talk is also available on YouTube with chapter marks.]

Second Lecture: The second lecture by Professor Weaver deals with Gregorian rhythm from the perspective—generally speaking—of those who value Dom Mocquereau’s theories:

Challenge To Readers: If you enjoy these lectures, go leave a comment in the Facebook Combox. If there’s enough interest in these lectures (as demonstrated by comments in the Facebook Combox), we will release another presentation from Sacred Music Symposium 2022. Specifically, we will release the talk called: “How To Read The Editio Vaticana,” given on Monday night.


NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

*   Jeff Ostrowski’s lecture was called “Why Dom Pothier’s Rhythm Is Worthy of Your Consideration and Dom Mocquereau’s Is Not.” Professor Weaver’s lecture was called “Why Dom Mocquereau’s Rhythm Is Worthy of Your Consideration and Dom Pothier’s Is Not.”

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

Follow the Discussion on Facebook

Filed Under: Articles, Featured Tagged With: Abbat Joseph Pothier, Abbot Joseph Pothier of Solesmes, Dom Eugène Cardine, Dom Josef Pothier, Dom Mocquereau, Gregorian Semiology, Mora Vocis, Old Solesmes Rhythm, Pothier De Caetero 1906, Sémiologie grégorienne Last Updated: July 6, 2022

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    Tempo?? • 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘞𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦
    Once, after Mass, my pastor said he really loved the hymn we did. I said: “Father, that's Holy God, We Praise Thy Name—you never heard it before?” He replied: “But the way you did it was terrific. For once, it didn't sound like a funeral dirge!” Last Sunday, our volunteer choir sang that hymn. I think the tempo was just about right … but what do you think?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Don’t You Agree About These?
    If you want to make Jeff Ostrowski really happy, send him an email with effusive praise about the individual voice recordings for hymn #296. [Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass] They came out dazzlingly sensational, don't you agree?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Choral Vowels? Yes? No?
    Here's a live recording of one of the choral “warm-up” exercises my choir enjoys. It was taken during our rehearsal on 27 January 2023. It’s good to make sure each chord is perfectly in tune and balanced before moving to the next one. That only happens when each singer has the correct vowel. If you like, you can freely download that vocal exercise.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“By no means would I offer the counsel that Mass be celebrated in languages other than Latin.”

— Archbishop Dwyer (one of the Vatican II fathers)

Recent Posts

  • Tempo?? • 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘞𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦
  • PDF Download • Belgian Book of Gregorian Accompaniments (Official Edition)
  • Don’t You Agree About These?
  • Choral Vowels? Yes? No?
  • Crucial Tip For Choir Directors

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2023 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

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.