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.”
If we grow up singing hymns, we’re incapable of judging them—because we’re “too close” to them. People who know and love “Abide with me, fast falls the eventide” probably never realized the first word is one of the most egregious examples of incorrect accentuation. (The correct accent for “abide” is on the second syllable, not […]
A reader from Chicago writes: “Your work is exemplary, and these past 15 months have put into clear focus for me just how important Corpus Christi Watershed is as an evangelizing voice in the Church. During this pandemic, we have moved away from the ‘big publisher’ psalters, employing nearly exclusively your settings, which (in my […]
In the annals of pianism, there were some fakers: Vladimir de Pachmann, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Leopold de Meyer, and Henri Herz. A hilarious story is told by Harold C. Schonberg about Henri Herz, his manager (Bernard Ullman), and 1,000 candles. I think you will enjoy reading it.
We tried something last Sunday. On the final stanza of this Eucharistic hymn, we got softer. I’d love to know your thoughts—does it sound good, or contrived?
A document from 1822 shows that 29 June, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, used to be a Holy Day of Obligation in the United States. By 1864 it was no longer a Holy Day of Obligation—but the bishops of the United States were asked to celebrate it “solemnly” on the following Sunday, which […]
A few weeks ago, we posted a perfect Canon by Giovanni Maria Nanino (d. 1607), who was a colleague of Palestrina. Here is a Live Recording by a volunteer choir. The score scrolls by as the singers perform it. It was recorded yesterday at Mass.
Like so many others, we lost about a year’s worth of rehearsals due to Covid19. We are trying to make up for lost time, and we have begun learning Father Guerrero’s Missa De Beata Virgine II published in Rome circa 1582. Here is a 37 second audio clip recorded at Mass last Sunday. We have […]
I could not do my job without the Brébeuf Hymnal. Here’s a Live Recording (20 seconds) from last night’s Mass. Our volunteer choir is frequently called upon—at the last second—to sing for first Masses, solemn high Masses, dedication Masses, and so forth. With the Brébeuf Hymnal, I can always pull out marvelous, wonderful, thrilling songs […]
One of our choristers recorded this audio excerpt from a recent rehearsal we had. I know there are certain people on the internet who claim that “proper voice leading & harmonies died with Bach in 1750AD…anything goes these days.” But I could not disagree more with such an assertion. The proper rules of harmony and […]
In the past, we have provided thirteen organ accompaniments to Mass VIII (a.k.a. “Missa de Angelis”). Some versions of the KYRIALE use the melody from Sanctus VIII for Agnus VIII also. Dr. Peter Wagner’s 1903 edition of the KYRIALE does this, as we mentioned earlier this month. Please sing through Sanctus VIII and then sing […]
The editors of this 1667AD Missale Romanum weren’t sure who wrote the VEXILLA REGIS hymn, so they wrote this in the margin. (To be fair, the original text by Bishop Fortunatus was greatly altered under Pope Urban VIII.)
M.B. wrote to us: “Dear Corpus Christi Watershed: please keep posting beautiful hymns! You have no idea just how helpful it is to me! God bless the work and efforts that you pour into making the liturgy more beautiful for God’s glory!”
If you look in the 1952 Australian Hymnal by Father Percy Jones called The Saint Pius X Hymnal, you will see that they substitute “Confirma Hoc” from Confirmation with the Offertory antiphon on Pentecost Sunday. Thoughts? Was that cheating?
My friend L.F. has informed me that the editors of the 1965 Missale Romanum seem to have deliberately deleted the part about “raising the children in the Catholic Faith.” Do you agree? See for yourself. How would you translate that passage into English? Please email me at: jeff@ccwatershed.org
A reader from St. Louis, Missouri, wrote to us: “The work you and your team do is quite possibly the most valuable resource I have come across as a younger Sacred music director and organist. The Brébeuf Hymnal is my most used and referenced resource. Although my church has not adopted it yet (I will […]