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Views from the Choir Loft

J.S. Bach “Alleluia” • Director Posts Live Recording!

Jeff Ostrowski · December 19, 2022

UR READERS have probably seen the famous Solemn Mass, filmed at Our Lady of Sorrows Church (Chicago) in 1940. The narration, which is utterly sublime, was done by Monsignor Fulton J. Sheen. The video is all over the internet … a ‘Google’ search will locate it almost instantly. The music chosen for that Mass—in spite of tremendous performing forces—is a source of embarrassment for some, who say it sounds sugary and lacks depth. One commentator described it as “the very worst remnants of the Caecilian movement.” However, I believe such criticism to be a bit misguided. Let me explain why.

We Are Body & Soul • What the critics fail to take into consideration is how that music would have sounded if you were actually sitting in the pews. It’s similar to the music of Monsignor Lorenzo Perosi, which looks tedious and insipid on the page, but comes off very well in real life. After all, man is composed of both body and soul. It is wrong to completely dismiss the effects of well-crafted choral music heard in real life. On the other hand, I admit that such ‘Caecilian’ music lacks the depth of Palestrina, Victoria, or Guerrero. (And it’s not even a close call.)

Variety, Variety, Variety • I probably sound like a broken record, but I believe a key ingredient for any successful choral program is musical diversity. I would like to mention a piece that hopefully illustrates my point. We normally do a Renaissance setting of the ALLELUIA which comes before the Gospel—but lately we’ve been doing a setting by Johann Sebastian Bach (d. 1750) which the singers really love. You can freely download J.S. BACH’S ALLELUIA (PDF), arranged by Monsignor Moissenet.

Live Recording • Here’s a ‘live’ recording by our volunteer choir from last week:

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Bishop Fulton J Sheen, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Johann Sebastian Bach, Latin Mass Musical Diversity, Monsignor Lorenzo Perosi, Rene Moissenet Alleluia, SATB Alleluia Bach Last Updated: January 3, 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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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    Introit • Candlemas (2 February)
    “Candlemas” • Our choir sang on February 2nd, and here's a live recording of the beautiful INTROIT: Suscépimus Deus. We had very little time to rehearse, but I think it has some very nice moments. I promise that by the 8th Sunday after Pentecost it will be perfect! (That Introit is repeated on the 8th Sunday after Pentecost.) We still need to improve, but we're definitely on the right track!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplified Antiphons • “Candlemas”
    Anyone who desires simplified antiphons (“psalm tone versions”) for 2 February, the Feast of the Purification—which is also known as “Candlemas” or the Feast of the Presentation—may freely download them. The texts of the antiphons are quite beautiful. From “Lumen Ad Revelatiónem Géntium” you can hear a live excerpt (Mp3).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

Random Quote

“The choir shall henceforth sing or say no anthems of our Lady or other Saints, but only of our Lord, and then not in Latin; but choosing out the best and most sounding to Christian religion they shall turn the same into English, setting thereunto a plain and distinct note for every syllable one: they shall sing them and none other.”

— 1548 Edict of King Edward VI (a heretic) for Lincoln Cathedral

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  • Introit • Candlemas (2 February)
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  • Tempo?? • 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘞𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦

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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.