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Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download • “Brief Choral Alleluia” (Suitable for the Ordinary and Extraordinary Form)

Jeff Ostrowski · May 6, 2023

OMETHING THAT TROUBLES me deeply is when liturgical conferences spend virtually no effort on the music. At such gatherings, the music seems an “afterthought.” I won’t name names—because doing so would get me in trouble!—but I have witnessed liturgical conferences which cost more than $100,000 (with numerous bishops and cardinals in attendance) where the music is provided by only a handful of musicians, rather than a spectacular, robust, fullsome choir. Some priests mistakenly believe that it’s okay if the music is unimpressive, tedious, monotonous, poorly executed, and boring. Their argument is as follows:

“Sacred music is about honoring God; it’s not about giving delight to the faithful. Therefore, even if the music sounds terrible, that’s okay because God sees the heart.”

My response would be: “If what you say is true, Father, are you willing to wear a poorly-made, misshapen, ugly Chasuble? After all, sacred vestments aren’t meant to give delight to the congregation, right?”

Rapprochement • Not long ago, I suggested that what’s needed between priests and musicians is a “rapprochement.” Too many priests are ignorant of the glories of authentic sacred music. On the other hand, too many musicians don’t realize that church music must be presented well if we expect priests to fall in love with it. I have encouraged choirmasters to select music which is not too lengthy and to make sure it is sung with utter perfection. The following “Alleluia Polyphonic Extension” is based on an arrangement I made twenty years ago, from one of my favorite composers: Giovanni Gabrieli (d. 1612). We created the following rehearsal video (simulation), for this glorious piece that will be sung by 85 singers at this year’s Sacred Music Symposium:

M Rehearsal videos and free PDF score await you at #40710.

Coming From Somewhere • In another article, I attempted to explain how important it is (in my humble opinion) to build on authentic traditions of the past. I try to look at things as they really are. For example, I feel one of the greatest Masses ever composed—one for which I would give my life—is Missa Mille Regretz by Father Cristóbal de Morales (d. 1553). Some claim it’s inappropriate, since it was based on a secular melody. In the past, I’ve made many arguments against that allegation, and I won’t repeat them all here. However, it’s worth pointing out that other composers—in the wake of the COUNCIL OF TRENT—disguised their “secular” Masses. For example, Palestrina wrote a l’Homme Armé Mass as late as 1582AD, which he disguised by calling it “Missa Quarta.” Other composers disguised their Masses by calling them “Sine Nomine.” Again I say: Let us always examine the intrinsic characteristics of the music!

Those Who Hate Tradition • One thing that annoys me is the way the reformers of the 1960s seemed to have no regard for the ancient traditions of the Catholic Church. CARDINAL ANTONELLI was—one could argue—the “prime mover” of all the liturgical reforms of the 20th century, owing to his Memoria Sulla Riforma Liturgica (1948), which he got Pope Pius XII to approve. Antonelli had much more veneration for history than Annibale Bugnini, and yet the statements made by Antonelli often reveal unthinkable hubris, ignorance, and naiveté. For example, Antonelli told that pope that everyone who resisted the reforms did so “from indolence or lack of liturgical sensibility.” In the late 1940s Antonelli said: “Everywhere and by everyone it is recognized that today in the Catholic world, especially among the clergy, there is a desire, indeed even a conviction of the need for liturgical reform.” Indeed, Antonelli even said that the essence of the sacred liturgy “unfortunately, had been lost for centuries.” How arrogant it is to pretend that we, who are alive now, are so much more enlightened than all the Catholic saints of the past!

On the other hand, Cardinal Antonelli did have the honesty—in retrospect—to admit the flaws of the reformers, saying: “they have only been able to demolish and not to restore.” Indeed, regarding the post-conciliar liturgical changes, Antonelli wrote in his diary: “Time will tell whether all this was for better or for worse, or merely indifferent altogether.” As far as I can tell, Ferdinando Giuseppe Antonelli never served in any pastoral role. During his entire (very long) life he was never a pastor; he never had a congregation of his own. Perhaps this lack of experience explains why he allowed himself to be seduced by the reform zeitgeist, which demanded change for the sake of change.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Alleluia Polyphonic Extension, Cardinal Ferdinando Giuseppe Antonelli OFM, Catholic Composer Cristobal de Morales, Giovanni Gabrieli Composer, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina Last Updated: May 9, 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 Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. However, on the feasts website, the chants have been posted for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), which is this coming Sunday: 6 July 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)
    With each passing day, more is revealed about how the enemies of the liturgy accomplished their goals. For instance, Hannibal Bugnini deeply resented the way Vatican II said Gregorian Chant “must be given first place in liturgical services.” On 6 November 1966, his cadre wrote a letter attempting to justify the elimination of Gregorian Chant with this brazen statement: “What really gives a Mass its tone is not so much the songs as it is the prayers and readings.” Bugnini’s cadre then attacked the very heart of Gregorian Chant (viz. the Proprium Missae), bemoaning how the Proprium Missae “is completely new each Sunday and feast day.” There is much more to be said about this topic. Stay tuned.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

The Latin language, “far from being held in little regard, is certainly worthy of being vigorously defended.”

— Pope Saint Paul VI (15 August 1966)

Recent Posts

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  • Bishop François Charrière Vs. Hannibal Bugnini
  • 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • “My First Year with the Latin Mass” • A Music Director’s Perspective

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