Ditch Doc » Musica Sacra

You’re not kidding!

bt — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:37:40 +0000

The second verse of the offertory chant for yesterday’s Mass concludes with a single word lasting ninety-seven notes. The word? ‘Semper.’

Cultural Imperialism

bt — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:04:42 +0000

Those most responsible for the wreck of Catholic liturgy in recent years are fond of the notion of delivering local custom from the ravages of the out-of-touch juggernaut of Roman tradition. In the name of which cause they take the metreless chants of the dusty Meditteranean first Christians, add words here, repeat others there and twist rhythm, mode and instrumentation until the Gloria evokes the latter end of a night in a Northern European beer hall. Not all the pretzels are of the salty and delectable variety.

Requiescant in Pace

bt — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:09:13 +0000

Here’s the Absolution following the Requiem Mass in Kinkora, Ontario, about 20 minutes from Stratford. A tad rusty, but a brilliant first shot at the Requiem in a parish that probably hasn’t seen it in 40 years. And listen to the parishioners! Most of them have never sung those responses. I have the honour to mention that Schola Nomini Tuo sang the whole Mass.