Views from the Choir Loft

Dom Gregory Murray

Jeff Ostrowski · June 2, 2021

PDF Download • Organ Accompaniments for “Lauda Sion Salvatorem” (Sequence)

“Man cannot understand this, cannot perceive it; but a lively faith affirms that the change—which is outside the natural course of things—takes place.” (Ladua Sion, v12)

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Jeff Ostrowski · May 21, 2021

“Veni Sancte Spiritus” (Sequence) • Musical Score + Organ Accompaniment: Eighteen Versions!

The Pentecost Sequence harmonized by Father Green, Father Jones, Dom Gregory Murray, Max Springer, Achille P. Bragers, and more!

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Jeff Ostrowski · March 17, 2021

PDF Download • My Favorite Gregorian Hymn

There are so many wonderful Gregorian hymns, but the “HYMN TO SAINT JOSEPH” is my favorite.

Jeff Ostrowski · November 29, 2017

Msgr. Knox • “Ten Commandments” for Crime Stories

Knox was a founding member of the “Detection Club,” which included Agatha Christie and G. K. Chesterton.

Hymn Lyrics Which Don’t Fit

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 the first.) Similarly, when “O God, our help in ages past” is sung to SAINT ANNE, the word “under” should be replaced with “beneath”—otherwise the accentuation is incorrect. Another egregious example would be “Come Holy Ghost” (sung to LAMBILLOTTE), which incorrectly accents the final syllable of the word Comforter (“O Comforter, to Thee we cry…”).

—Jeff Ostrowski

12 July 2021 • FEEDBACK

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 opinion) are melodically appealing and perfectly embody the essence of ‘sacred music’—evoking chant, but looking forward to the future. Bravo, composers! We are pleased to have been able to contribute a small gift toward the vast amount of CCW music we have used in the past 16 months. Your site is professional, and your content is excellent. Moving from hymnody to propers during the pandemic was a revelation.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

PT Barnum, Henri Herz, + 1,000 candles

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.

—Jeff Ostrowski