vaughan williams letter

Wilfrid Jones · February 25, 2020

About Wilfrid Jones

Wilfrid Jones is a PhD student in the theology faculty of the Albert-Ludwigs University of Freiburg, studying the theology and practice of sacred music.—(Read full biography).

Rhyme Scheme?

We’ve been invited to assist a team of more than thirty Catholic musicians with creation of a marvelous Spanish hymnal: Cantoral del Padre Antonio Daniel. I was looking at one of the songs they chose, and it appears that sometimes only the vowel rhymes. Is this a common ‘thing’ when it comes to hymns in Spanish?

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Entrance Chant” • For Sunday (6-Oct-2024)

Here’s the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON (PDF)—in Gregorian notation on five lines—for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (6 October 2024) which is approaching quickly. Plainchant scholars will be interested in its inspiration: the Mode 4 version, including its use of ámbitu. (The ambitus in Gregorian terminology means “range.”) You can also download this organ accompaniment which corresponds to the vocalist score. If you enjoy rehearsal videos, you can listen to my recording by clicking here.

—Jeff Ostrowski

An Anglican “Mess”

If I live to be 100 years old, there’s something I’ll never understand. 70+ years ago, the Anglicans produced a plainchant collection in English. But they didn’t understand Gregorian Chant notation—as you can see by clicking here. The blank space indicates which notes are supposed to be elongated (morae vocis) and it’s mandatory. What a crying shame nobody explained things to them before they began their enormous project. What I really like about the Anglican collection is their use of “Thee” when addressing God. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to calling God “you.” Strangely, Monsignor Knox said he desperately wanted to use “you” in his Bible translation (but he wasn’t permitted to do that).

—Jeff Ostrowski

This Coming Sunday’s Resp. Psalm

Visit the feasts website and examine the Responsorial Psalm REFRAIN for this coming Sunday [6-OCT-2024] which is the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B. Compare the official text (in Latin) to the “translation” given in the Spanish Lectionary. You’ll see the translators got it completely wrong. The 1970s “translations” by ICEL were notoriously heinous. Are those responsible for translating the Lectionary into Spanish striving to outdo them? Almost every psalm I’ve examined contains at least one major error.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Communion Antiphon • “For Any Mass?”

The GRADUALE ROMANUM says Psalm 33 can replace the proper Communion antiphon at any Mass. (The GRADUALE SIMPLEX says the same thing … in two separate places of the book.) I’ve posted a bright and clever arrangement of Psalm 33 in English and Latin. Rehearsal videos are also included. I hope you check it out!

—Veronica Moreno

A Talk on the Importance of Chant

Back in January I gave a talk at Sacred Heart Parish in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They have a fantastic lecture series, and this was also in connection with their admirable project on the fifth centennial of Palestrina's birth. The talk is now available on Spotify, and I hope it will be of some interest to our readers. You can find the talk by clicking here.

—Dr. Charles Weaver