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

Corpus Christi Watershed

Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
    • Jeff’s Mom Joins Fundraiser
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Feasts Website
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • “Wedding March” for lazy organists
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • The Eight Gregorian Modes
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Seven (7) Considerations
Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download • SATB “Alleluia” by J.S. Bach

Jeff Ostrowski · September 28, 2022

N THE PARABLE of Lazarus the beggar, Abraham told the rich man: “There is a great gulf fixed between us and you…” I often feel like the computer screen constitutes a great gulf between myself and the readers of this blog. I wish I could speak to each of you personally (viva voce) and tell you how much rehearsal time can be saved by the “individual voice” rehearsal videos we create. In terms of how many ‘views’ they get, it’s only a fraction of the amount of views garnered by the “equal voice” videos; and that causes me sadness and consternation. Therefore, I will unflaggingly do my best to promote the individual voice rehearsal videos.

“Alleluia” by J.S. Bach • I have been researching the members appointed by Pope Pius X (d. 1914) to the PONTIFICAL COMMISSION ON GREGORIAN CHANT, which was in existence from approximately 1904 to 1913. During my research, I came across a brilliant little “Liturgical Alleluia” by Johann Sebastian Bach (d. 1750) arranged by Monsignor René Moissenet (choirmater at at Cathédrale Saint Bénigne de Dijon in France). There were ten members of the Pontifical Commission. Additionally, there were ten consultors, and Msgr. Moissenet was a consultor.

*  PDF Download • “SATB Alleluia” by J.S. Bach
—Arranged by the choirmaster of Saint Benignus Cathedral (Dijon, France).

M Rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #47498 .

Mode 5 Discrepancy • One can easily fill in the verses using “simple” MODE V or “solemn” MODE V. I was surprised to learn that the official version does not have the extra note after the mediant cadence which is found in all the Introit tones:

Was J.S. Bach Catholic? • The question sometimes arises: “Can we sing music at Mass written by someone who was not Catholic?” I must avoid repeating what has already been discussed in great detail. Nevertheless, we can briefly ‘recap’ several points. First of all, it seems to me that singing a hymn strongly associated with an anti-Catholic movement—such as “Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott”—would be unacceptable at the Holy Mass. I must admit that Dr. Theodore Marier disagrees, since he included that melody in his famous hymnal reviewed by Daniel Craig. Sometimes associations can fade away. For example, the pipe organ was forbidden by the Catholic Church for centuries owing to its pagan associations, but after those associations faded away, the pipe organ was adopted by the Church as the sacred instrument par excellence.

A Few Examples • What was done by Monsignor Moissenet (d. 1939) was not unusual, because a melody itself cannot be intrinsically evil. A melody is just an arrangement of notes. As Stravinsky used to say: “Composers arrange notes; nothing more.” Those who carefully examine tons of old Catholic hymnals (as the committee which assembled the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal painstakingly did for years) will notice that even irreproachable Catholic hymnals sometimes used melodies written by Protestants. For example, the “Arundel Catholic Hymnal”—which included a letter of praise from Pope Leo XIII—included a Protestant melody by Johann Crüger (d. 1662). It also included a section you’ll recognize from the Gutenberg Cantata by Felix Mendelssohn (d. 1847), who was not Catholic. Including Protestant texts was a different matter, and when Catholic authors employed such texts they usually tried to disguise what they had done. For instance, those who carefully examine the Hosanna Catholic Hymnal (1914) will notice some texts by Protestants, even though that book was edited by Father Ludwig Bonvin (a priest who served as choirmaster at Canisius College, a Jesuit institution in Buffalo, New York). If someone is interested in this subject, I would strongly recommend:

*  “Catholic Sensibility” • What Makes A Hymnal Catholic?

Photograph • A meeting of the PONTIFICAL COMMISSION ON GREGORIAN CHANT in September of 1904:

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Johann Sebastian Bach, Rene Moissenet Alleluia, SATB Alleluia Bach Last Updated: May 1, 2024

Subscribe

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

* indicates required

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 Michigan. —(Read full biography).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Music List” • 14 September (Holy Cross)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for 14 September 2025, which is the Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross. If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “14 September 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
    A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s “full, conscious, and active participation.” Its basic point or message is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music because Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“We know that originally the offertories of the repertoire included a series of verses, just like the introit and the communion, but generally more ornate. Many of these are musical compositions of great beauty. They quickly fell into disuse, and we find them only in the most ancient manuscripts. The only remaining trace of this older arrangement in our present-day liturgy is that of the offertory of the Requiem Mass.”

— Dom Joseph Gajard (1956)

Recent Posts

  • “Music List” • 14 September (Holy Cross)
  • Do You Recognize This Hymn? Do You Like It?
  • Charlie Kirk’s Fascination with Traditional Catholic Liturgy
  • “Novus Ordo Parish … With Polyphony?” • Is that possible? How specifically does that work?
  • “The Injustice of Traditionis Custodes” • (Private Meetings at the Vatican)

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2025 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.