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Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download • 1915 “Gregorian Vesperale” … Printed On Five Lines! (651 Pages)

Jeff Ostrowski · October 11, 2022

ISTORY. Some consider it boring. For myself, I find it riveting. For example, consider the history of ULYSSES S. GRANT. He would win the Civil War and serve two terms as president. Yet when the Civil War began, having failed at everything he ever attempted, Grant was working for his younger brothers, selling hats to farmers’ wives! He and his wife were slave owners. Indeed, Grant used slave-labor to construct a house he dubbed “Hardscrabble.” John Wilkes Booth would have murdered Ulysses S. Grant alongside Abe Lincoln, but Grant’s wife hated Lincoln’s wife. Therefore, Grant made up an excuse not to attend that famous performance of Our American Cousin (where Lincoln was assassinated). At the Battle of Cold Harbor, both Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee exhibited unspeakable cruelty, allowing their wounded soldiers to die horribly—wailing in the June hot sun—rather than admit defeat. (Once the white flag was raised, medics were allowed to collect the wounded.) In spite of all that, Grant wrote this letter to his young daughter.

More History! • Regarding the following book by Father Weinmann, one could easily write multiple doctoral dissertations on the history surrounding it. One could discuss the marvelous abilities of printers in those days. One could discuss the tensions of the Pontifical Committee for Gregorian Chant (1904-1913)—tensions which resulted in rival publications (French Vs. German). One could discuss what it was like to be a musician in those days: No electricity; Bad plumbing; No email; No airplanes; No cars; No air-conditioning; No modern medicine; and so forth. One could discuss the effect of WW1 on church music. One could discuss monastic life in France, at a time when French anti-clerical laws were banishing citizens from their own country—although the very same banished clerics came back to fight for their country! I could go on…

*  PDF Download • FR. WEINMANN’S VESPERALE (651 Pages)
—Published in 1915, with chord symbols, on five lines (but with Gregorian notation).

Karl Weinmann (1873-1929) • Father Weinmann (d. 1929) was a Catholic priest who obtained his doctorate—his dissertation (1905) was “Das Hymnarium Parisiense”—under Dr. Peter Wagner (d. 1931), director of the Gregorian Academy in Freiburg (Switzerland). Dr. Peter Wagner was a member of the Pontifical Commission on Gregorian Chant established by Pope Pius X for the creation of the Editio Vaticana. In the German PREFACE to the book (see above), Father Weinmann explains the little chord symbols.

A Good Use • This book by Father Weinmann is extremely helpful for those who (like myself) accompany plainsong on the pipe organ directly from the Gregorian notation. Try one of the more challenging Magnificat antiphons and see if you agree.

Explanation Video • How to read the “pure” Editio Vaticana (a.k.a. the “untouched” Vatican Edition), which is still the official rhythm of the Catholic Church:

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

Filed Under: Articles, Featured, PDF Download Tagged With: Antiphonale on modern staves, Antiphonale Romanum Weinmann, Dr Peter Wagner Gregorian, Gregorian Chant, Gregorian Chant 5 Lines, Karl Weinmann 1873-1929, Karl Weinmann 5 line Antiphonale, Modern Notation Gregorian Chant, Vesperale By Weinmann, Vesperbuch Carolus Weinmann, Vesperbuch Karl Weinmann, Weinmann Vesperale on Modern Staves Last Updated: May 16, 2023

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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

    PDF • “For the Season of Pentecost”
    During the season of Pentecost, you might consider using this 2-page Piece “for the season of Pentecost.” Rehearsal videos are available at #40691, but the lyrics are different. Therefore, make sure your choir members understand that one can rehearse songs that have different lyrics (“CONTRAFACT”).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • (This Coming Sunday)
    Our volunteer choir appreciates training videos, so here's my attempt at recording “Exáudi Dómine Vocem Meam,” which is the INTROIT for this coming Sunday. This coming Sunday is Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the feast of the Ascension”). It is sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Volunteer Choir Attempts “Kýrie Eléison”
    My volunteer choir attempted the polyphonic KYRIE that will be sung at this year's Sacred Music Symposium. If you're interested, you can listen to the live recording from last Sunday. The piece is based on the ancient plainchant hymn melody: Ave Maris Stella. Polyphony like this is truly intricate and wonderful. It reminds me of the quote by Artur Schnabel: “music that's greater than it can be performed.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“I am of the opinion, to be sure, that the old rite should be granted much more generously to all those who desire it. It’s impossible to see what could be dangerous or unacceptable about that. A community is calling its very being into question when it suddenly declares that what until now was its holiest and highest possession is strictly forbidden and when it makes the longing for it seem downright indecent.”

— Cardinal Ratzinger, 1997

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