Does Gregorian Chant Ever Skip A 7th? - Corpus Christi Watershed

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

• Donate
• Our Team
  • Our Editorial Policy
  • Who We Are
  • How To Contact Us
  • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
  • Jeff’s Mom Joins Fundraiser
• Pew Resources
  • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
  • Jogues Illuminated Missal
  • Repository • “Spanish Music”
  • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
  • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
• MUSICAL WEBSITES
  • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
  • Noël Chabanel Psalms
  • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
  • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
  • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
  • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
  • Lalemant Polyphonic
  • Feasts Website
• Miscellaneous
  • Site Map
  • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
  • “Wedding March” for lazy organists
  • Emporium Kevin Allen
  • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
  • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
  • The Eight Gregorian Modes
  • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
  • Seven (7) Considerations

I’ve really been enjoying singing from the Père Daniel Kyriale (126 pages), which is a fabulous little book. I had no idea it would turn out so nicely—incredibly useful, and the printing is super crisp. I noticed something quite strange the other day: Kyrie X (an extremely ancient chant) contains a skip of a seventh. Sometimes that’s the result of a missing Trope, but not in this instance. (I know, because I also examined the Troped version.)

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required Email Address *

About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 28 December)Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph (28 Dec. 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The FAUXBOURDON verses for the Communion Antiphon are particularly gorgeous. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.—Jeff OstrowskiPDF • “Music List” (Xmas Midnight Mass)Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Christmas Midnight Mass (“Ad Missam In Nocte”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is simple, but quite beautiful. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.—Jeff OstrowskiPDF • “Music List” (4th Sunday of Advent)Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 21 December 2025, which is the 4th Sunday of Advent (Year A). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The ENTRANCE CHANT is the famous “Roráte Coeli” and the fauxbourdon setting of the COMMUNION is exquisite. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.—Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

PDF Download • “In Paradisum” in EnglishWe always sing the IN PARADISUM in Latin, as printed on this PDF score. I have an appallingly bad memory (meaning I’d be a horrible witness in court). In any event, it’s been brought to my attention that 15 years ago I created this organ accompaniment for the famous and beautiful ‘IN PARADISUM’ Gregorian chant sung in English according to ‘MR3’ (Roman Missal, Third Edition). If anyone desires such a thing, feel free to download and print. Looking back, I wish I’d brought the TENOR and BASS voices into a unison (on B-Natural) for the word “welcome” on the second line.—Jeff OstrowskiWhat does this mean? “Pre-Urbanite”Something informed critics have frequently praised vis-à-vis the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal is its careful treatment of the ancient hymns vs. the “Urbanite” hymns. This topic I had believed to be fairly well understood—but I was wrong. The reason I thought people knew about it is simple; in the EDITIO VATICANA 1908 Graduale Romanum (as well as the 1913 Liber Antiphonarius) both versions are provided, right next to each other. You can see what I mean by examining this PDF file from the Roman Gradual of 1908. Most people still don’t understand that the Urbanite versions were never adopted by any priests or monks who sang the Divine Office each day. Switching would have required a massive amount of effort and money, because all the books would need to be changed.—Jeff OstrowskiPDF Download • “Santo Santo Santo”Those searching for a dignified, brief, simple, bright setting of SANCTUS in Spanish (“Santo Santo Santo”) are invited to download this Setting in honor of Saint John Brébeuf (organist & vocalist). I wonder if there would be any interest in me recording a rehearsal video for this piece.—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

No concession should ever be made for the singing of the Exsultet, in whole or in part, in the vernacular.

— ‘Fr. Augustin Bea, S.J. in the years immediately before the Second Vatican Council’

Recent Posts

• 💰 Are Church Musicians Paid Too Little?
• PDF Download • “In Paradisum” in English
• “O Antiphons” Elevated?
• PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 28 December)
• Should Catholics Sing Protestant Christmas Carols?

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required Email Address * Search this website

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.