Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Music for First Friday and Low Sunday at Sacred Heart

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

First Friday - Sacred Heart Community Mass
Friday IV-1-16 at 6 PM

Normally we'd open and close with Sacred Heart hymns, but since we're in the Octave of Easter, we will sing the great hymns of Paschaltide.

Entrance hymn: The day of Resurrection, "Ellacombe"
Psalm 118: R./ The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone, BMP, adapted from O Filii et Filiae, Mode II.
Alleluia: from O Filii et Filiae, Mode II.
Offertory hymn: The strife is o'er, "Victory"
- Excerpted from Palestrina's Gloria Patri.
Liturgy of the Eucharist: Missa "Christo Risusciti", Luigi Picchi, and adaptations thereof
Communion responsory: O Filii et Filiae, Mode II
Recessional hymn: Jesus Christ is ris'n today, "Easter Hymn"

Second Sunday of Easter
Saturday IV-2-16 at 5 PM; Sunday IV-3-16 at 7:30, 9, and 11:15 AM

Traditionally known as Low Sunday or Quasimodo Sunday (after the assigned Introit of the Day), also declared by Pope John Paul II in 2000 as Divine Mercy Sunday.

Entrance hymn: Jesus lives, thy terrors now, "St. Albinus"
Gloria: Missa "Christo Risusciti", Luigi Picchi
Psalm 118: R./ Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love is everlasting, Owen Alstott
Sequence: Christians, to the Paschal Victim, Mode I
- The Sequence of Easter Day, which can be used every day within the Easter Octave, including this day, the Octave day itself.
Alleluia: from O Filii et Filiae, Mode II.
Offertory hymn: The strife is o'er, "Victory"
Liturgy of the Eucharist: Missa "Christo Risusciti", Luigi Picchi, and adaptations thereof
Communion anthem: Adoro Te Devote, Mode V
Post-Communion hymn: Regina Caeli, Mode VI
Recessional hymn: Jesus Christ is ris'n today, "Easter Hymn"

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

Monday, March 28, 2016

How to Make the Best of "Psalm 151"
on Divine Mercy Sunday (April 3, 2016)

You can find the whole works right here!

And yes, the Sequence of Easter Day is optional every day within the Octave!

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

Sunday, March 27, 2016

What Might Be an Unexpected Theme...

...on which to improvise at Eastertide!

Some people often play prepared postludes at the end of Mass.  Others improvise.  Either way is fine as long as they sound good, of course.  I am one of those guys who (most of the time) prefer to improvise.

I for one would never say that playing a prepared postlude from an actual piece of sheet music is a bad thing.  In fact, it's a great thing.  I have longed for the longest time to get the courage to spend some time in front of the Finale of the "Widor V" (that is, the Fifth Symphony of Charles Marie Widor) and try to tackle it.  I confess that it has not happened yet.  However, I have heard it played by some of the world's greatest organists, on local, national, and worldwide levels (OK, the latter two via YouTube and TV).  There are some postludes I have played of a much lesser difficulty, of course.

As of late, I've been really inspired to work on my improvisational skills, and again, by listening to some of the greatest organists existing today.  On a local level, Providence's own Phil Faraone, who is the organist at our local Cathedral (SS. Peter and Paul, Providence, where the late great Alexander Peloquin served from 1950-1990).  On a more distant galaxy far, far away, one can hear the great musical wizardry of Olivier Latry, titular organist at the famed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.  You can listen to Monsieur Latry in "beast mode" here.

I once heard a young organist in a small Catholic church where I attended as a teen do an improvisation on a theme that I was one of few to recognize, and while I wouldn't dare to try such a thing, again, I was intrigued at 14.  The theme: Nights in White Satin by the Moody Blues.  I'm sure not many picked up on it, but I did.

So, of course, a few YouTube videos later and I find myself learning some new tricks!  What can I say?  If it's something that intrigues me and I really want to learn it, I'm a sponge!  (And no, I don't mean in a Spongebob Squarepants sort of way!  That guy is just freakin' creepy!)

SO COME ON!  WHAT'S THIS "UNEXPECTED THEME"???

I find the most fun in improvising on Gregorian themes.  During Lent, I did improvs for preludes and postludes based on basic Lenten chants such as the Mode I Parce, Domine and the Mode V Attende, Domine.  I've even improvised on Mass XVII (the Mass setting actually intended for the Sundays of Advent and Lent).  On other days, I've toyed with sections of the Mode I Ave Maria, and even Paul Cross' Mary, the Dawn, which is based on Psalm Tone 4 (the latter appears in the Pius X Hymnal and the 1984 People's Mass Book).

Today I toyed around with a few different Paschal themes.  For prelude, I improvised on O Filii et Filiae (O sons and daughters), a Mode II processional from Paris that dates back to the 15th century.  For Communion at the 7:30 AM Mass, I managed to come up with a theme around the "Amen, alleluia" ending of the Mode I Paschal Sequence, Victimae Paschali Laudes (Praise to the Paschal Victim).  I also used the sequence as a whole as an additional prelude for the 11:15 AM Mass.

But what one might not expect to hear an improv on this day in age is this:

which translates in modern notation to this:

If you don't read music in either notation, you can listen here.

In my younger days, this was the ONLY Alleluia played before the Gospel in many parishes --- year round (except during Lent, of course)!  That's because many parishes had Monthly Missalette in the pews at that time, and of the six alleluias given in the Order of Mass section of the missalette, this was the first.

In addition, a little known factoid for those who have never perused a Liber Usualis or a Graduale Romanum: the alleluia shown above (Mode VI) is the traditional antiphon to the proper Communion for the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday.  This appears in the Graduale, even today, in the Ordinary Form of the Mass, as the proper Communion.

So, there you have it!  My postlude was based on the once-popular Mode VI triple Alleluia.  I say "once popular" because, over the last couple of decades, as many parishes seem to have dumped Monthly Missalette for OCP's Breaking Bread or Muzak Issue, many seem to have subsequently dumped this beloved Alleluia for the so-called Celtic Alleluia, a setting that makes me want to grab a mug, or perhaps a stein!

Going back about three paragraphs, almost (but not quite) as a post-scriptum from the Scriptorium, I did mention that there were six alleluias given in the Order of Mass section of Monthly Missalette in my youth.  These were placed just before the readings of the month, and were as follows:

1. The above pictured Mode VI Alleluia
2. The alleluia from O Filii et Filiae, Mode II
3. An adaptation of a ditty called Sing Alleluia, by James Gerrish (The alleluia part of it isn't all that bad, and for the Alleluia before the Gospel, the word "Sing" was dropped, thankfully!)
4 and 5. Two alleluias by the late Robert Twynham, longtime music director at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore.
6. The alleluia from Wonderful and Great, by Lucien Deiss.

In my regular rotation of Alleluias to this day, I still use #'s 1, 2, 5, and 6, though #'s 3 and 4 are not so bad either.  Beats the hell out of Celtic Alleluia.

Hope you all had a wonderful blessed Easter!

Quod scripsi, scripsi!  (My new closing: What I have written, I have written!)
BMP

PS (yes, an ACTUAL post-scriptum): Rest in peace, Mother Angelica, the Poor Clare nun who founded the Catholic network EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network).  She died today, Easter Sunday, at the age of 92!  This nun did great work in bringing good solid Catholic programming to viewers around the world, and being rewarded by the Lord calling her home on the day of His Resurrection!

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

The Sacred Triduum 2016 at Sacred Heart Church

Holy Thursday of the Lord's Supper
Thursday III-24-16 at 7 PM

Entrance hymn: Lift high the cross, "Crucifer"
Kyrie and Gloria: Messa Populare "Laus Tibi Christe", Federico Caudana
Psalm 116: R./ Our blessing cup is a communion with the blood of Christ, BMP (PDF)
Gospel Acc: Gospel Acclamation "Vexilla Regis", BMP, adapted from Mode I (PDF)
Offertory hymn: At that first Eucharist, "Unde et memores"
Sanctus: Mass XVIII
Memorial Acclamtion: Save us, Savior of the world, ICEL chant
Amen: adapt. from the Sanctus of Mass VIII
Agnus Dei: Mass XVIII
Communion anthem: Ave verum Corpus, Camille Saint-Saëns
Solemn Translation of the Holy Eucharist: Pange Lingua, Fr. Carlo Rossini

Good Friday of the Lord's Passion
Friday III-25-16 at 7 PM

Psalm 31: R./ Father, into your hands I commend my spirit, Sam Schmitt (PDF)
Gospel Acc: Gospel Acclamation "Vexilla Regis", BMP, adapted from Mode I (PDF)
Adoration of the Holy Cross:
- God so loved the world, Sir John Stainer
- Ténebrae factae sunt, Johann Michael Haydn
Music at Communion:
- Adoro Te, O Panis Caelice, Louvain
- Ave Verum Corpus, Lorenzo Perosi
- Tantum Ergo, Oreste Ravanello
Post-Communion: Abide with me, "Eventide"

THE EASTER VIGIL IN THE HOLY NIGHT
Saturday III-26-16 at 7 PM (with brass)

Exsultet: Missal chant
Psalm 104: R./ Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth, Owen Alstott
Psalm 16: R./ You are my inheritance, O Lord, BMP (PDF)
Exodus 15: R./ Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory, BMP (PDF)
Gloria: Missa "Cristo Risusciti", Luigi Picchi
Alleluia: Alleluia "O Filii et Filiae", BMP, excerpting from the Mode II chant (PDF)
Litany of saints: Missal chant
Vidi Aquam: Joseph Gruber
Offertory hymn: The day of Resurrection, "Ellacombe"
Sanctus: Missa "Cristo Risusciti", Luigi Picchi
Memorial Acclamation: We proclaim your death, O Lord, BMP, adapted from Picchi
Amen: BMP, adapted from Picchi
Agnus Dei: Missa "Cristo Risusciti", Luigi Picchi
Communion anthem: Hallelujah!, G.F. Handel (from Messiah)
Post-Communion hymn: Regina caeli, Mode VI
Recessional hymn: Jesus Christ is ris'n today, "Easter Hymn"

Easter Sunday
Sunday III-27-16 at 7:30, 9, and 11:15 AM (brass at latter two Masses)

Entrance hymn: The day of Resurrection, "Ellacombe"
Gloria: Missa "Cristo Risusciti", Luigi Picchi
Psalm 118: R./ This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad, Owen Alstott
Sequence: Victimae Paschali Laudes, Mode I
Alleluia: Owen Alstott, excerpting from O Filii et Filiae, Mode II
Vidi Aquam: Joseph Gruber
Offertory hymn: That Easter day with joy was bright, "Puer Nobis"
Sanctus: Missa "Cristo Risusciti", Luigi Picchi
Memorial Acclamation: We proclaim your death, O Lord, BMP, adapted from Picchi
Amen: BMP, adapted from Picchi
Agnus Dei: Missa "Cristo Risusciti", Luigi Picchi
Communion anthem: Hallelujah!, G.F. Handel (from Messiah)
Post-Communion hymn: Regina caeli, Mode VI
Recessional hymn: Jesus Christ is ris'n today, "Easter Hymn"

Peace,
BMP

Liturgy Planning with Good Old "Psalm 151"
Sacred Triduum 2016

Instead of doubling up on details, I'll give you links to the planning pages in Christus Vincit Music.





Peace,
BMP

Friday, March 18, 2016

Liturgy Planning with "Psalm 151"
St. Joseph, Spouse of Mary (March 19, 2016)

This might be a bit late (I just finished this set last night), but if you can sight-read these in a pinch, great.  If not, save this reference for next year.  Here are the "Psalm 151" components for this Saturday (March 19), the Solemnity of St. Joseph, the Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, thus the foster father of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

INTROIT
Psalm 92: The just shall flourish
R./ based on Miseréris ómnium, Dómine; V./ Tone 1, plus alternate original SATB tone

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 89: The Son of David
R./ metrical, with descant; V/. original

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (in lieu of Alleluia)
Gospel Acclamation "Vexílla Regis" (Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ)
R./ based on Vexílla Regis Pródeunt; V./ Tonus Peregrinus

OFFERTORY
Psalm 89: My faithfulness and mercy
R./ chant; V/. original

COMMUNION
If Matthew Gospel is read: Psalm 112: Joseph, son of David
R./ chant; V/. original
If Luke Gospel is read: Psalm 27: Did you not know
R./ chant-style; V./ Tone 5, plus alternate original SATB tone

Monday, March 14, 2016

St. Joseph and Palm Sunday at Sacred Heart

St. Joseph, Spouse of Mary
Saturday, III-19, at 9 AM, followed by Zeppoles downstairs!!!

Entrance hymn: Joseph, be our Guide and Pattern, "Oriel"
Kyrie: Messa Populare "Laus Tibi Christe" (Caudana)
Gloria: Mass VIII
Psalm 89: R. The Son of David will live for ever (BMP)
Gospel Acc: Gospel Acclamation "Vexilla Regis", BMP, adapted from Mode I (.pdf)
Offertory hymn: Come now, and praise the humble saint, "Land of Rest"
Sanctus: Mass XVIII
Memorial Acclamtion: Save us, Savior of the world, ICEL chant
Amen: adapt. from the Sanctus of Mass VIII
Agnus Dei: Mass XVIII
Communion hymn: Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All, "Sweet Sacrament"
Recessional hymn: Holy Patron, thee saluting, "Pleading Savior"

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
Saturday, III-19, at 5 PM; Sunday, III-20, at 7:30, 9, and 11:15 AM

This weekend, our brass trio (two trumpets and a French horn) and a tenor will be added to our regular trio (a soprano, an alto, and yours truly on bass and organ) for three of our four Masses.

Introit:
- Pueri Haebraeorum, from Six Palm Sunday Acclamations (Schubert) (except 7:30)
- Hosanna Filio David, Mode VII (7:30 only)
Processional hymn: All glory, laud, and honor, "St. Theodulph"
Gospel Acc: Gospel Acclamation "Vexilla Regis", BMP, adapted from Mode I (.pdf
At the kneel/pause (within the Passion): Adoramus Te, Christe (Dubois)
Offertory hymn: O sacred Head, sore wounded, "Passion Chorale"
Sanctus:
- Six Palm Sunday Acclamations (Schubert) (except 7:30)
- Mass XVIII (7:30 only)
Memorial Acclamtion: Save us, Savior of the world, ICEL chant
Amen: adapt. from the Sanctus of Mass VIII
Agnus Dei:
- Messa Populare "Laus Tibi Christe" (Caudana) (except 7:30)
- Mass XVIII (7:30 only)
Communion anthem: Tenebrae Factae Sunt (M. Haydn)
Recessional hymn: To Jesus Christ, our sov'reign King, "Ich Glaub an Gott"

Peace,
BMP

Palm Sunday Liturgy Planning (March 20, 2016),
using the iSNARK! secret weapon, "Psalm 151"

Here it is, all the stuff you need for Palm Sunday with my on-going pet project, Psalm 151.  Here goes!

INTROIT
Hosanna to the Son of David/Hosanna Filio David - Lumen Christi Missal, page 136.
I didn't do one, but here's my reference to the best bet.  Link given is external.

PROCESSION OF THE PALMS
Hymn: All Glory, Laud, and Honor - using the standard tune, St. Theodulph (found in any decent Catholic hymnal), or using my own simplified version of the Mode I Gloria, Laus, et Honor tune.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 22: My God, my God
R./ metrical, original; V./ original

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (in lieu of Alleluia)
Gospel Acclamation "Vexílla Regis" (Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ)
R./ based on Vexílla Regis Pródeunt; V./ Tonus Peregrinus

OFFERTORY
Psalm 69: For food they gave me gall
R./ minor; V./ Tone 1, with original alternate SATB tone

COMMUNION
Psalm 116: Father, if this cup
R./ metrical, original; V./ original

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

V Lent at Sacred Heart

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

I'm going to play with a slightly different format today.  (tee hee!)

Ordinary:
- Missa Populare Laus Tibi Christe (Ky)
- Mass XVIII (Sa, Ag)
- ICEL chant (Mem C)
- Amen melody based on Sanctus from Mass VIII

Intervening Chants:
- Psalm 126 (Calabrese) (.pdf)
- Gospel Acclamation Vexilla Regis (BMP) (.pdf)

Hymnody:
- "Rockingham" - When I survey the wondrous cross (Entrance)
- "Eventide" - Abide with me (Offertory)
- "King's Weston" - At the Name of Jesus (Post-Communion)
- "Horsley" - There is a green hill far away (Recessional)

Communion anthem:
- Parce, Domine (Rossini)

Peace,
BMP

Monday, March 7, 2016

Liturgy Planning using "Psalm 151"
V Lent (March 13, 2016)

Following is our Liturgy Planner using my Psalm 151 project for the Fifth Sunday of Lent.

INTROIT
Psalm 43: Vindicate me, O God
Completely original, though based on Tone 8, with alternate original SATB tone

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 126: The Lord has done great things for us
R./ Minor; V./ Tone 5, with alternate original SATB tone

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (in lieu of Alleluia)
Gospel Acclamation "Vexílla Regis" (Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ)
R./ based on Vexílla Regis Pródeunt; V./ Tonus Peregrinus

OFFERTORY
Psalm 119: I will praise you, O God
R./ Lydian; V./ Tone 5, with alternate original SATB tone

COMMUNION
Psalm 32: I condemn you not
R./ Minor; V./ Tonus Peregrinus, with alternate original SATB tone

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Amazing Grace

What are the words?
GIA can't seem to make up their minds!

It's not very often we sing Amazing Grace at our parish, especially on Sundays.  It's one of the few more "popular hymns" I don't mind using every now and then.  Of course, the Gospel reading of today (IV Lent, Year C, as I write this) tells that the "prodigal son" "was lost, but has been found".  So, I once was lost, but now am found, seems kosher.

But what about the line of hymn text before that?

The most popular opening line in most hymnals, even Catholic hymnals, is (with very little doubt) Amazing grace! how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.  A smaller chunk of worship aids use Amazing grace! how sweet the sound that saved and set me free.  But what do you do when a particular hymnal uses both?

Now, I'm not referring to a hymnal that has both texts at the same time (e.g., the second text below the first, probably in parentheses, italics, or both). First of all, you have to consider the source: Worship - Third Edition (one of two hymnals at our parish), published by GIA Publications, which (as many readers of the former incarnation of this blog may remember) can't seem to make up their minds as to hymn texts.  I'm referring to when two editions of the same exact hymnal have contrasting texts.  I discovered this while singing this with my two other singers at the 5:00 PM Mass last night.  The pew edition had the saved a wretch like me line, while the choir edition had the saved and set me free line.  So, before the 9:00 AM Mass this morning, I checked the pew book, and sure enough, wretch like me.  Since that's what the people downstairs in the pews are singing, I instructed the singers to sing that text from then on.

And here's a funnier note: As I combed through the copies of Worship - Third Edition that were in the choir loft, both pew and choir editions, plus the landscape organ edition and the spiral guitar edition, I noticed that all the pew books upstairs, plus the organ and guitar editions,  had the wretch like me line.  All the copies of the choir edition had the set me free line - except one!  I happened to stumble on one copy of the choir edition that had the wretch like me line.  How the hell did that happen?

BTW, so you know, they were all the original 1986 editions of the hymnal, not the 1998 updated edition that came with the Lectionary changes of that time.  The 1998 update has the wretch like me line, at least in the pew edition that I have a copy of here in the scriptorium.  I also have the 1986 original pew edition, which has set me free.  I also have a pew edition and a choir edition of RitualSong, also by GIA, published in 1997.  That seemed to be more consistent - wretch like me in both copies.

Just picture this (another hymn now): There are four editions of Worship - the original Worship (1971), Worship II (1975), Worship - Third Edition (Worship III would have been too easy, 1986), and Worship - Fourth Edition (2011).  Read this post, and go to my reference to On Jordan's Bank (Worship IV, #392) and how the second verse differs with each edition.

The folks at GIA just can't seem to make up their minds!

Peace,
BMP

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

First Friday and Laetare Sunday Music at Sacred Heart

Here it is, folks, the music for the Sacred Heart Community Mass (First Friday) and Sunday IV of Lent, that is, Laetare ("Rejoice") Sunday at Sacred Heart Church.

Sunday IV of Lent is definitely my favorite Sunday in Lent in which we organists get to use a little more organ than the other four Sundays (I, II, III, and V) of Lent.  OK, definitely not "Easter Mode".  After all, we still have to wait three more weeks for the Alleluias to kick in.  March 19, St. Joseph's Day, is the only time before Easter we'll get to use a Gloria, as that day is a solemnity, and only at the morning Mass, as that's a Saturday, and the evening Mass will anticipate Palm Sunday, well, in the Ordinary Form anyways.  I also look forward to playing St. Joseph's Day each year, not only for the solemnity atmosphere, but for the zeppoles that follow.  (Ah! The benefits of working for a predominantly Italian parish!)  ;)

Anyhoo, here is the music list for this weekend:

First Friday (Sacred Heart Community Mass)
Friday III-4-16 at 6:30 PM

Entrance hymn: O Sacred Heart, O Love Divine
Psalm 15: R./ He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord, Sam Schmitt
Gospel Acclamation: Gospel Acclamation "Vexilla Regis", BMP, adapted from Mode I (.pdf)
Offertory hymn: Attende, Domine, Mode V
Sanctus: Mass XVIII
Memorial Acclamtion: Save us, Savior of the world, ICEL chant
Amen: adapt. from the Sanctus of Mass VIII
Agnus Dei: Mass XVIII
Communion hymn: Ubi Caritas, Mode VI
Recessional hymn: To Jesus' Heart, all-burning

Fourth Sunday of Lent
Saturday III-5-16 at 5 PM; Sunday III-6-16 at 7:30, 9, and 11:15 AM

Entrance hymn: When I survey the wondrous cross, "Rockingham"
Psalm 34: R./ Taste and see the goodness of the Lord, BMP  (.pdf)
Gospel Acclamation: Gospel Acclamation "Vexilla Regis", BMP, adapted from Mode I (.pdf)
Offertory hymn: Our Father, we have wandered, "Passion Chorale"
Sanctus: Mass XVIII
Memorial Acclamtion: Save us, Savior of the world, ICEL chant
Amen: adapt. from the Sanctus of Mass VIII
Agnus Dei: Mass XVIII 
Communion anthem: God so loved the world, Sir John Stainer
Post-Communion hymn: Amazing Grace, "New Britain"
Recessional hymn: Lift high the cross, "Crucifer"

Peace,
BMP