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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.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Are We Done? • “Gregorian Chant Rhythm Wars”

Jeff Ostrowski · October 9, 2023

OR MORE than 13 years, our blog authors have been examining, discussing, and arguing about the rhythm of Gregorian Chant. In terms of the series we have called Gregorian Rhythm Wars, it’s been decided to bring that particular series to a close. As they say: All good things must come to an end. We’re grateful to all who contributed to that series. The various articles will remain online for anyone wishing to consult them at a later date. You’re free to consult our series, but you’re not free to insult our series! 😁

Are We Finished? • Needless to say, our blog authors will continue to discuss the question of plainsong rhythm. Something that becomes more pressing each day—at least as far as I’m concerned—is the need for honesty. Had everyone been honest, I truly believe the history of plainsong might have been different. For example, I wish Dom Mocquereau had publicly admitted something like the following:

“I really like four particular manuscripts. As far as I’m concerned, these are the only ones that matter. While it’s true that thousands of other Gregorian manuscripts are also incredibly ancient, powerful, and important, as far as I’m concerned those don’t exist. That is to say, they don’t count for anything. They can be completely ignored. I have chosen my four, and these are what I go by.”

I suspect not all of my colleagues will agree with my statements; and that’s precisely why our conversations will continue!

Looking Back • Looking back upon the Gregorian Rhythm Wars, the main point I personally tried to “put forward” or “emphasize” or “insist upon” was that making broad statements about plainsong rhythm is insufficient, especially when such statements are contradicted by manuscript evidence. Rather, we must point to evidence which supports our theories. Owing to the enormous amount of manuscripts uploaded to the internet on a weekly basis, many theories popular in the 1950s must be abandoned. Indeed, members of our organization are attempting to make it simple for anyone to instantly access the evidence (so everyone can see it with their own eyes). We began with fifty seven manuscripts and plan on adding hundreds more in the future.

Bookmark: Gregorian Rhythm Wars contains all previous installments of our series.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Gregorian Rhythm Wars Last Updated: October 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

    (Part 2) • Did they simplify this hymn?
    Choirs love to sing the resplendent tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1929, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. Their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Father Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1929 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. As always, the Germans added an organ INTRODUCTION. For the record, I posted a different harmonization a few months ago which was downloaded more than 2,000 times.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Lectionary Comparison Chart”
    Various shell corporations (in an effort to make money selling Sacred Scripture) have tinkered with the LECTIONARY texts in a way that’s shameful. It’s no wonder Catholics in the pews know so few Bible passages by heart. Without authorization, these shell corporations pervert the official texts. Consider the Responsorial Psalm for the 1st Sunday of Advent (Year A). If you download this PDF comparison chart you’ll notice each country randomly omits certain sections. Such tinkering has gone on for 60+ years—and it’s reprehensible.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Monsignor Klaus Gamber Speaks!
    An interesting quotation from the eminent liturgist, Monsignor Klaus Gamber (d. 1989): “According to canon law, a person’s affiliation with a particular liturgical rite is determined by that person’s rite of baptism. Given that the liturgical reforms of Pope Paul VI created a de facto new rite, one could assert that those among the faithful who were baptized according to the traditional Roman rite have the right to continue following that rite; just as priests who were ordained according to the traditional Ordo have the right to exercise the very rite that they were ordained to celebrate.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 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 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“We turn to the East when we stand to pray, since this is where the sun and the stars rise. It is not, of course, as if God were there alone and had forsaken the rest of creation. Rather, when these earthly bodies of ours are turned towards the more excellent, heavenly bodies, our minds are thereby prompted to turn towards the most excellent being, that is, to our Lord.”

— Saint Augustine of Hippo

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