Views from the Choir Loft

Mass of the Angels

Jeff Ostrowski · March 7, 2025

“Kyrie Setting” we’re doing for Lent

Kyrie VIII with polyphony.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 14, 2024

“Missa de Angelis” • Gloria

Feel free to download this PDF file containing GLORIA VIII (“Mass of the Angels”) harmonized by the great Belgian organist: Flor Peeters.

Jeff Ostrowski · August 23, 2022

PDF Download • Organ Accompaniment for Kyrie VIII (“Missa de Angelis”) by Jeff Ostrowski

I consider this my best organ accompaniment … I hope you like it!

Jeff Ostrowski · January 11, 2022

Small Choir Repertoire: “Of The Father’s Love Begotten” (Two Voices)

My brother immediately said: “I would never use this; it’s terrible, Jeff.” — And he was correct!

Jeff Ostrowski · April 6, 2021

PDF Download • “Sanctus for Three Voices” (Soprano, Alto, and Bass)

Can Gregorian Chant be harmonized? Does it work? Monsignor Jules Vyverman demonstrates for us!

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Jeff Ostrowski · April 25, 2014

Thirteen (13) Organ Accompaniments to “Missa de Angelis” (Mass VIII)

Free PDF downloads for “Mass of the Angels” organ accompaniments • Henri Potiron (1950), Achille Bragers (1937), Dr. Eugene Lapierre (1946), Franz Xaver Mathias (1906), Dr. Peter Wagner (1905), Monsignor Leo P. Manzetti (1906), Julius Bas (1906), and more+

Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)

With each passing day, more is revealed about how the enemies of the liturgy accomplished their goals. For instance, Hannibal Bugnini deeply resented the way Vatican II said Gregorian Chant “must be given first place in liturgical services.” On 6 November 1966, his cadre wrote a letter attempting to justify the elimination of Gregorian Chant with this brazen statement: “What really gives a Mass its tone is not so much the songs as it is the prayers and readings.” Bugnini’s cadre then attacked the very heart of Gregorian Chant (viz. the Proprium Missae), bemoaning how the Proprium Missae “is completely new each Sunday and feast day.” There is much more to be said about this topic. Stay tuned.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Luis Martínez Must Go!

Sevilla Cathedral (entry dated 13 December 1564): The chapter orders Luis Martínez, a cathedral chaplain, to stay away from the choirbook-stand when the rest of the singers gather around it to sing polyphony—the reason being that “he throws the others out of tune.” [Excerpt from “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]

—Jeff Ostrowski

Urgent! • We Desperately Need Funds!

A few days ago, the president of Corpus Christi Watershed posted this urgent appeal for funds. Please help us make sure we’re never forced to place our content behind a paywall. We feel it’s crucial that 100% of our content remains free to everyone. We’re a tiny 501(c)3 public charity, entirely dependent upon the generosity of small donors. We have no endowment and no major donors. We run no advertisements and have no savings. We beg you to consider donating $4.00 per month. Thank you!

—Jeff Ostrowski

Pope Pius XII Hymnal?

Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Hybrid” Chant Notation?

Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Antiphons Don’t Match?

A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).

—Corpus Christi Watershed