• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

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.”

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
    • Jeff’s Mom Joins Fundraiser
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Feasts Website
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • “Wedding March” for lazy organists
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • The Eight Gregorian Modes
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Seven (7) Considerations
Views from the Choir Loft

A Polyphonic Kyrie During Lent

Jeff Ostrowski · February 3, 2012

HE FOLLOWING QUOTE has been attributed to St. Augustine: “The only thing you can take with you to Heaven is music.” Whether St. Augustine spoke these precise words or not, it is certainly true that Sacred music has an amazing ability to lift our hearts and minds to God. Sacred music reminds us in a powerful way of the purity of God and the unspeakable beauty of our Creator. Therefore, before I go further, let us listen to a short excerpt of the Kyrie from Messe de Nostre Dame by Guillaume de Machaut (†1377):

This beautiful recording was created by Matthew J. Curtis, who himself recorded all the vocal parts. Since 2010, Maestro Curtis has created more than 650 practice videos for polyphonic choral works, found at ChoralTracks.com. Corpus Christi Watershed has been blessed to collaborate with Maestro Curtis for several years now. Those who enjoyed the excerpt above will be interested in the PDF score, and are encouraged to listen to the complete recording by Matthew J. Curtis.

As the holy season of Lent approaches, many Catholic choirmasters will be searching for polyphonic versions of the Kyrie Eleison. As we know, the Gloria is not said during Lent, so musicians can “get away” with using a slightly longer Kyrie without risking a “heated discussion” with the Pastor after Mass (I wish it were not this way, but in many of our parishes, this is the case). An added bonus would be a Kyrie that also involves the congregation. Even better would be a relatively easy polyphonic setting, so that amateur church choirs could sing with confidence (as it is better to sing a simpler piece very well than to sing a more difficult piece poorly).

One good choice might be Kyrie cunctipotens genitor Deus (Trent Codex 90), which has polyphony for three voices as well as Gregorian sections for the congregation. I strongly recommend that anyone considering Trent Codex 90 read this fantastic article (PDF) by Dr. William Mahrt of Stanford. The article appeared in Sacred Music, Journal of the Church Music Association of America (Summer 2011, Volume 138, No. 2), and managing editor Jeffrey Tucker has done church musicians a tremendous service by providing hundreds of issues for free download in the CMAA archives. Getting back to the Trent Codex 90 Kyrie, Matthew J. Curtis has provided seven (7) practice videos to help your choir members master this piece. In addition to much other valuable information, Dr. Mahrt’s article also addresses possible ways to perform this piece.

Another beautiful choice (for SATB choirs) might be this Kyrie after Joan Brudieu (†1591). Just as in the previous Kyrie, a possible format for all three invocations would be: Cantor / Congregation / Choir (polyphony). Corpus Christi Watershed has provided five (5) practice videos to assist choir members who do not read music well.

The first two versions of the Kyrie presented above are based on Kyrie IV (see Dr. Mahrt’s article on this). This third version is based on the Requiem Kyrie, so this is the chant provided in the score. However, those who do not wish to sing the Requiem chant during Lent should realize that one could just as easily sing the “Lenten” Kyrie (Mass XVII):

Incidentally, all of these Kyrie chant melodies are provided in the Vatican II Hymnal, which contains more than 100 pages of Mass settings (English & Latin), more than 200 beautiful hymns, and the complete texts of the Sung Propers, readings, psalms, and Alleluias for Sundays and Holy Days during all three Liturgical years.

To go along with any of these versions of the Kyrie, choirmasters might consider this Sanctus & Agnus Dei (PDF). Both are based on the Ave Maris Stella of Guillaume Dufay (†1474), and are practically identical. Here is an audio excerpt: Audio Excerpt of the Sanctus (MP3)

Some might be interested to see how these versions of the Kyrie work in a “real” environment, so here (2010) is the Brudieu Kyrie sung by the Corpus Christi Cathedral choir (directed by Lee Gwozdz), and here (2009) is the Dufay Sanctus sung by the Corpus Christi Cathedral Schola Cantorum (directed by Jeff Ostrowski).

For those who wish to learn more about the phenomenal singing abilities of Matthew J. Curtis, I encourage you to look at Kevin Allen’s Motecta Trium Vocum, as Maestro Curtis provides 56 practice videos for the special collection of 3-voice motets. Kevin Allen recently released an SATB collection, as well, called Cantiones Sacrae Simplices, and Maestro Curtis has recorded more than 140 practice videos for these masterpieces. Watershed was honored when Dr. Mahrt included this Foreword, which is “required reading” for anyone who cares about Catholic sacred music.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 21, 2020

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

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).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “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 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
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Older priests, therefore, should receive younger priests as true brothers and help them in their first undertakings and priestly duties. The older ones should likewise endeavor to understand the mentality of younger priests, even though it be different from their own, and follow their projects with good will.”

— Pope Saint Paul VI (7 dec 1965)

Recent Posts

  • The Real Miracle of Gregorian Chant
  • Why A “Fugue” Here?
  • “Three Reasons To Shun Bad Hymns” • Daniel B. Marshall
  • “Puzzling Comment” • By A Respected FSSP Priest
  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2025 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

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.