“Is it not true that prohibiting or suspecting the extraordinary form can only be inspired by the demon who desires our suffocation and spiritual death?” —The Vatican’s chief liturgist from 2014-2021; interview with Edw. Pentin (23-Sep-2019)
“I am of the opinion that women are not to participate in the singing of the crowd parts and that the manner of alternation in the tract is merely a matter of custom, preference, or practicality.” —Patrick Williams
If we feel compelled to condemn these changes, let’s at least spend time learning what they are!
Conscientious choirmasters know it’s crucial to get “as much bang for your buck” as possible.
A reader asks: “No Dotted Neumes?”
Fulton J. Sheen considered Monsignor Knox’s English translation of the Bible to be the greatest ever created.
A ramble about open source software and three PDF files for 1962 Vespers for Ferias 4-6 in the Octave of Easter.
This sweet, simple SATB motet provides a contrast to heavier, darker Lenten repertoire. But it’s going out of season soon.
“In nothing are English Catholics so poor as in vernacular hymns. The real badness of most of our popular hymns (endeared, unfortunately, to the people by association) surpasses anything that could otherwise be imagined.” —Father Fortescue
As Americans, we’re “bred from birth” to think of ourselves as little gods who already know everything and require no correction.
The organ accompaniment booklet (24 pages) which I created for the 4th Sunday of Lent (“Lætare Sunday”) may now be downloaded, for those who desire such a thing.
“The devotional version of this hymn employs a later tune erroneously called ‘plainsong’ in various sources.” —Patrick Williams
The Ward Method is a classical pedagogy designed for pre-K through eighth grade music classes in Catholic schools.
This is probably too late … but there’s always next year!
This little booklet has had a long influence on choirs, but isn’t very widely known. How many of these pieces are you familiar with?
Let there be no mistake about it: Dom Mocquereau (illicitly) added the “salicus” in hundreds of places where the official edition has none.
