Archives for September 2023

Matthew Frederes · September 4, 2023

Revealed! • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts of Sacred Gregorian Chant

Please enjoy this new addition to the website which provides a useful list of manuscripts discussed on this blog, for easy access to the same sources used by the contributors!

Jeff Ostrowski · September 4, 2023

When Others Say You’re “Dumb”

I could give a zillion more examples of my disability.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 2, 2023

Are You A Professional? • (Am I One?)

Including a Eucharistic Hymn (#142) every Catholic should know!

Guest Author · September 1, 2023

Gregorian Rhythm Wars • “The Counter Tradition”

Guest submission (1 September 2023) by Alasdair Codona of Glasgow, Scotland.

“Music List” • Presentation (2 February)

Some have expressed interest in perusing the “ORDER OF MUSIC” I prepared for the feast of the Presentation of the Lord (2 February 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT and OFFERTORY ANTIPHON both strike me as particularly beautiful.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Entrance Chant” • Presentation (2 Febr.)

You can download the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON in English for the Presentation of the Lord (2 February 2025). This feast is also known as “Candlemas.” Corresponding to the vocalist score is this free organ accompaniment. This English adaptation “mimics” the authentic Gregorian Chant version in a splendid way. If you’re someone who enjoys rehearsal videos, this morning I attempted to sing it while simultaneously accompanying my voice on the pipe organ.

—Jeff Ostrowski

The Mystery Has Been Solved

For 20+ years I’ve sought information regarding Karl Ott, who in 1935 published the OFFERTORIALE (a book containing the lengthy and elaborate ‘extended’ verses for mediæval offertories). I’m beginning to think he never existed in the first place. Perhaps “KARL OTT” is a pseudonym. For years, I wondered where he copied his scores from, but that mystery has been solved. They resemble Solesmes’ editions but lack rhythmic symbols. It turns out Ott ‘borrowed’ the plates from this beautiful 1908 edition by Solesmes Abbey.

—Jeff Ostrowski

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).

—Corpus Christi Watershed

The Lofty Nature of This Goal

It is important above all that we never lose sight of our true goal as church musicians: the right worship of Almighty God. This is not a pious sentiment that should cause us to be lax about technical elements of music. Rather, the lofty nature of this goal is should motivate and inspire us to pursue the techne of musicianship with even greater zeal.

—Dr. Samuel Backman

Our Lady of Good Success Novena (+ Antiphon)

Today starts a Novena to Our Lady of Good Success. Curiously, there is an Antiphon included towards the end of each day’s prayers which looks very similar to this one.

—Veronica Brandt