Views from the Choir Loft

Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. He is also Chapel Organist (Saint Mary’s Chapel) at Boston College. His compositions have been performed worldwide. Read more.

Acompañamientos • MISAL ROMANO, Tercera Edición

Richard J. Clark · October 19, 2018 ·

Free Download of two sets of accompaniments for chants of the new Misal Romano, Tercera Edición.

Radio Interview • Óscar Romero & New Beginnings

Richard J. Clark · September 21, 2018 ·

“I hope my poem also speaks to the role of the church in our society.” — E. Ethelbert Miller

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made • New Work for Trumpet and Organ

Richard J. Clark · September 14, 2018 ·

Trumpeter, Richard Kelley’s lyricism can be compared to that of an oboe or clarinet. His soul and humanity pours forth in his playing.

Join a Choir! Now!

Richard J. Clark · August 31, 2018 ·

When you sing in a choir, know that you will impact people’s lives in ways you cannot imagine and likely in ways you will never know.

Janet Hunt and Music of the Pipe Organ • “On a Sacred Note”

Richard J. Clark · August 10, 2018 ·

Catholic TV focuses on the indispensable role of the pipe organ with Janet Hunt.

Scogna and Olbash talk Gregorian Chant • “On a Sacred Note”

Richard J. Clark · August 3, 2018 ·

Who doesn’t like to talk about Gregorian Chant?

Gregorian Impressions • Plainchant Settings for Organ

Richard J. Clark · June 29, 2018 ·

A new collection of organ works based on familiar and beloved plainchants

James David Christie • International Performer of the Year

Richard J. Clark · June 15, 2018 ·

As both performer and teacher, James David Christie models excellence and beauty.

“On a Sacred Note” • Catholic TV Network • 13 Part Series on Sacred Music

Richard J. Clark · June 1, 2018 ·

“My wish is that our viewers will walk into Sunday Mass with a new attentiveness…” — Stephanie Scogna

“Priests of God, bless the Lord!” • Practice Video

Richard J. Clark · May 4, 2018 ·

“Sacerdotes Dei” — Introit for the Ordination of Priests

Could Pope St. Pius X Sing?

“On 12 March 1908, the complete publication of the Roman Gradual was issued by the Vatican Press. On that very day, Dom Pothier solemnly presented the first copy to the Holy Father. A witness of the audience says that Pius X wished to be the first to see the new book; he opened it at random, at page 128 of the supplement pro aliquibus locis—it was the Introit of the new Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The Pope sang it with perfect taste to the last note.” (Catholic Choirmaster, February 1915)

—Jeff Ostrowski

Julius Bas Accompaniment

A very prolific harmonizer of Gregorian chant in the early 20th century was Mr. Julius Bas. He often uses a very strange technique, wherein he employs rests to eliminate the Alto, Tenor, and Bass voices. Consider what he did with “Lumen ad revelationem” here:

* JPEG • Lumen ad revelationem

It seems quite lazy, and I’ve never seen anyone else use such a technique, although Dr. Peter Wagner often switched to parallel octaves when he ran out of ideas… (Yuck!)

—Jeff Ostrowski

Hitting wrong notes

Fr. Valentine Young, OFM, used to say: “The organist can play 1,000 correct notes and one wrong note—and the only thing people will care about is the wrong note.” Last Sunday I hit some wrong notes, and felt bad. Then I remembered a story about Rudolf Serkin and started to chuckle. Charles Rosen (or was it Leon Fleisher?) told the story of Serkin playing a Beethoven Sonata in front of a large audience. The theme is all in octaves; but Serkin hit some wrong notes, and played parallel 7ths instead. This so unnerved him that every time the theme returned, he played the entire thing in parallel 7ths! We must remember that even the greatest hit wrong notes. Alfred Cortot, Vladimir Horowitz, Wilhelm Backhaus, Edwin Fischer, Sviatoslav Richter, Egon Petri—they all hit wrong notes, which we can hear on recordings. (Josef Hofmann was an exception, but he was super-human so he doesn’t count!)

—Jeff Ostrowski

Impelled by the weightiest of reasons, we are fully determined to restore Latin to its position of honor, and to do all We can to promote its study and use. The employment of Latin has recently been contested in many quarters, and many are asking what the mind of the Apostolic See is in this matter. We have therefore decided to issue the timely directives contained in this document, so as to ensure that the ancient and uninterrupted use of Latin be maintained and, where necessary, restored.”

— Pope John XXIII (22 February 1962)