Should Chant Be Accompanied On The Organ?
As late as 1924, Dom Mocquereau mentioned Dom Desrocquettes “whose beautiful and discreet accompaniments I hear every day at Solesmes.”
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My Student Singing Byrd Will Make You Weep!
Today we release polyphony by two composers: William Byrd and William Fritz.
Photograph • Pope Saint Paul VI Distributes Holy Communion (Kneeling, On The Tongue)
How dare we—who are so sinful—how dare we receive our Lord?
Introit • “Jubiláte Déo” (3rd Sunday after Easter)
Sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
PDF Download • “English Hymns for Three Voices” (SSA), edited by Dr. Theodore Marier—182 pages
My choir will definitely be using these settings. They’re something many have begged for!
FEEDBACK • 26 April 2023
A reader wrote to us about the MELCOMBE HYMN ARTICLE (whose official title was: 1950s Catholicism: Do We Want It Back?) with these kind words: “I so wish there was a CD of your choir. The Introit the other day stays with me all day!”
“1950s Catholicism” • Do We Want It Back?
“I have found, to my astonishment, that Catholics…in their principal churches, do not to this day possess even one Mass setting even tolerably good, or which is not actually distasteful and operatic.” —Felix Mendelssohn (1835)
It’s Coming!
The draft booklet (320 pages) which will—in a gorgeous hard-copy—be given to participants at the Sacred Music Symposium has been released. If you see any typos, please let me know ASAP. Thank you!
PDF Download • Draft Copy — “2023 Symposium Booklet” (320 Pages)
I will never forget standing in that green room, waiting to go on stage.
FEEDBACK • “Soul Was Craving”
I got this (personal) message from a choir member. I know we usually avoid sharing personal items, but hopefully this exception is warranted: “Dear Mr. Ostrowski, I read your recent article, “I Came From Somewhere.” I really enjoyed reading it. Thank you for all that you do. I appreciate your sentiments and your work to […]
“I Came From Somewhere” • (So Did You!)
Including a haunting hymn by Flor Peeters for Eastertide.
“Quasi Modo” • Introit for this coming Sunday.
I’m desperately in need of this book!
“Regína Caéli Laetáre” • 18 organ accompaniments
Plainsong sung poorly—in a sluggish, lifeless manner—can leave a bad taste in people’s mouths.
“Repugnant Pairing” (In My View)
We have spoken many times about the common tunes contained in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal. I have suggested that these “shared melodies” are crucial for any director attempting to build a serious choral program in today’s environment. However, I’ve also said hymn pairings must be done with great sensitivity. Take a look at […]
“Truly Bizarre!” • Easter Vigil on Easter Sunday?
Rather than allow the traditional times, the Vatican gave permission to allow the Easter Vigil to be celebrated on the morning of Easter Sunday!
