“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 believe it’s better to sing a Psalm Tone with excellence rather than attempt the authentic CARMEN GREGORIANUM (Gregorian Chant) in a plodding, lifeless, poorly-executed way. To that end, I have created this Fifth Mode Psalm Tone version for the COMMUNION CHANT assigned to 1962 Missal weddings. The Nuptial Mass is sometimes called “Pro Sponso […]
“When our people have the courage to break resolutely with a bad tradition, there are unworked mines of religious poetry in the old hymns that we can use in translations.” —Father Adrian Fortescue
There was deep division in Chicago between those who cheered for the Cubs and those who cheered for the White Sox.
Rachmaninoff never forgave Prokofiev for this, as anyone with a melancholic temperament will understand.
Being hired as organist or choirmaster for Catholic weddings can be stressful.
How many of your choir members can do this? (a) Recite the Tantum Ergo from memory; (b) Explain where the piece comes from and when specifically—during HOLY WEEK—it’s used; (c) Provide a literal translation (from memory, without looking in a book). This nifty one-page sheet (PDF) might be worth downloading if you’re worried some of […]
We seek native speakers willing to help proofread.
We must never let criticism by ‘haters’ bother us. We must strive to block them from our minds.
The most comprehensive German hymnal ever printed? Well, this masterpiece by Monsignor Stemmer is certainly in the top five!
In the past, I’ve mentioned how I can’t stand hearing wrong notes. I was playing LLANFAIR the other day, and I was hitting wrong notes. Earlier today, I created a simplified version which you can download for free. This famous tune (“LLANFAIR”) is often used on the feast of the Ascension, with “Hail the Day […]
“This argument from silence is wildly improbable.” —Father John Parsons (2001)
This article—a “mini-dissertation” on syllabic plainsong—writes songs using the names of various CCW authors.
Even something simple can be wonderful.
A lovely offering by the “Chaumonot Composers Group.”
A serious typo in the Responsorial Psalm for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B.
