Four (4) Excellent Hymns for Catholic Funerals
With a brief digression on certain “nasty” traditionalists.
Seven (7) Hymn Verses for November!
In the month of November, we remember in a special way the souls in purgatory. The BRÉBEUF HYMNAL often includes text alone versions for its hymns; why is that? The short answer is: flexibility. The “text only” version allows each choirmaster to employ a myriad of melodies. For example, I recently set the English translation […]
Worst Hymn Pairing Of All Time?
Are there sickening examples of hymn pairings? Oh, most certainly!
Jeff Ostrowski’s Performance of Plainsong Attacked as “Inartistic”
The special Vigil of Christmas “Alleluia” sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
Jeff’s Attempt at Pipe Organ “Stops”
I’ve been attempting to record some Brébeuf hymns on the pipe organ, but I know very little about registration (“stops”). You can listen to this morning’s attempt, a recording of a tune called TRINITY COLLEGE. Do you know this tune? It’s quite nice. Feel free to email me vis-à-vis the registration I chose. To quickly […]
Pope Saint Paul VI did not outlaw the TLM
This video shows a signatory of the famous “Agatha Christie Indult” talking about Glenn Gould (specifically his Bach interpretations).
PDF • Morley’s Choral “Warm-Up”
For decades, I was against choral warm-ups. I felt they should be derived from repertoire—killing two birds with one stone—but was often too lazy to prepare such items. Over the years, I have taken a 180° turn. Now I’m a huge believer in vocal “warm-ups.” Our volunteer choir has been enjoying this wonderful warm-up exercise […]
(14 Examples) • Jeff Ostrowski’s Artistic “Credo”
Including several hymns eminently suitable for the feast of Christ the King.
PDF Download • “Wedding March” (For The Lazy Organist)
This afternoon, it was suggested to me that I write down (“notate”) the arrangement I use.
Hymn • “Feast of Christ’s Kingship”
A wonderful text for the feast of Christ the King is: “Conquering Kings Their Titles Take.” We’re currently working on creating a professional recording. Until that’s complete, we’ve posted these preliminary versions. You might want to consider this hymn for the upcoming solemnity of Christ’s Kingship.
“Organ Interlude” (Dom Gregory Murray)
In my humble opinion, Dom Gregory Murray (d. 1992) was a splendid composer. Here’s my attempt to perform one of his INTERLUDES on the pipe organ. I’m not a “concert organist” so I deeply appreciate any feedback—especially about registration. By the way, you can download a fantastic collection of ORGAN INTERLUDES—all 104 pages completely free […]
November Reminder • Please help!
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1950s Mandatory Military Service? Huh?
I would be very curious to know what readers think about this claim made by Patrick J. Buchanan. He says military service in the 1950s was obligatory in the United States. Is this true? Let me know your thoughts by scrolling to the bottom of this page, where an email address is provided. Patrick J. […]
“No Fourth Sunday of Advent” (EF)
In the Extraordinary Form (“Missale Vetustum”) because Christmas falls on a Monday in 2023, the Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord takes precedence over the Fourth Sunday of Advent. This usually only happens about every six years or so. I will miss the 4th Sunday of Advent, but the VIGIL Mass is also quite […]
When just 13 years old, Beethoven……
Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier (WTC) was not officially published until 1801. By that time, many hand-copied manuscripts had circulated through Europe. According to Charles Rosen: “Beethoven, at the age of 13, played the entire WTC in public.” His feat was published in the newspapers of that time. In my view, both books of the WTC—with a […]