Views from the Choir Loft

“Hail, Holy Queen Enthroned Above” • Nine Organ Accompaniments

Jeff Ostrowski · March 30, 2016

HAT IS IT ABOUT DESCANTS that we love so very much? I believe I know the answer. Our minds already know the tune—and love it—but the added embellishment is refreshing and awesome. I believe this is the same reason we love polyphony so much, with its heavy use of imitation and canons.

Here’s a Descant Setting by Jacques de Nouë, taken from a Canadian collection: ¹

* * PDF Download • “Hail, Holy Queen Enthroned Above” w/ Descant

I recorded the voice parts, to demonstrate how it sounds. The descant begins at the 0:46 marker:

Below are several other organ harmonizations for “Hail, Holy Queen Enthroned Above” you might find useful:

* * PDF Download • Campion Hymnal (organist)

* * PDF Download • New Saint Basil (1958)

* * PDF Download • Fr. Carlo Rossini (Latin)

* * PDF Download • Pius X Hymnal (1953)

* * PDF Download • Fr. Carlo Rossini (1936)

* * PDF Download • Standard Catholic Hymnal (1921)

* * PDF Download • Lawrence Gagnier (1962)

* * PDF Download • J. Vincent Higginson Hymnal (1955)

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REHEARSAL VIDEOS :

EQUAL VOICES : YouTube • Mp3 Audio

SOPRANO : YouTube • Audio

ALTO : YouTube • Audio

TENOR : YouTube • Audio

BASS : YouTube • Audio

NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1 This small collection lacks a date of publication, but most likely appeared circa 1945. Many music journals & scores published in the war years lack such information. I have never been able to ascertain, for example, when the NOH first appeared.

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

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).

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This coming Sunday—22 December 2024—is the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year C). Some have expressed interest in perusing my “ORDER OF MUSIC.” If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The English version of “Roráte Cæli” we’re singing for the ENTRANCE CHANT is magnificent.

—Jeff Ostrowski

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—Jeff Ostrowski

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—Jeff Ostrowski

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—Corpus Christi Watershed

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—Veronica Brandt

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—Daniel Tucker