Psalm 151 - New and Improved - IS HERE!!!

At long last - the new and improved version of Psalm 151 is here!  What has been done?  Let's see...

1. I have added, at the suggestion of some, Graduals from the Graduale Romanum, in English, to original settings similar to settings in the old version of the project.  But I didn't stop there!  I also added Tracts from the Graduale for Lent and Passiontide.  I added Alleluia verses from the Graduale - yes, including First and Second Alleluias (the first to be chanted after the First Reading, the second to be chanted before the Gospel) for use at Paschaltide.

2. The verses for Alleluias and Gospel Acclamations are no longer in batches (multiple Sundays at a time).  Otherwise, now that verses from the Graduale are added alongside verses from the Roman Missal, to batch them would create one of the most confusing messes one musician could possibly create.  So, for that reason, each Sunday's Alleluia and Gospel Acclamation verse sets are now their own entities.

3. Psalms and such that are used more than once are now shown more than once.  One reason is for sequencing (we changed the numbering sequence, which is discussed further down).  The other is that the new and improved Psalm 151 can now be downloaded in packets for each Sunday and feast.

4. Now, about the numbering sequence: I changed the numbering pattern completely.  Before, where the numbers ran from 1 to 407, they now run from 1-a to 78-f.  Each Sunday and feast has its own number, with a letter following each component.  So, 1-a to 1-h is the First Sunday of Advent, 2-a to 2-h is the Seocnd Sunday, etc.  The very last piece, 78-f, is the Communion for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.  The total count, as a result of some duplicates, plus adding Graduals, Tracts, and such, has now increased from 407 pieces to 707 pieces.

5. Finally, I have scattered the pew parts within the main body of the book, at the end of each Sunday or feast.  There are now 957 pages total in the big e-book.  The big book may be downloaded as a whole, in four sections (no contents or indices), in packets for each Sunday and feast, and by individual pieces (all 707 of them).  You can even get pew parts in sets for each Sunday or feast.

Here are the .pdf's:

Entire E-book (957 pages, 28.2 MB), including contents, preface, all the music (including pew parts), and indices.

Section 1: Advent through Pentecost (385 pages, 11.0 MB)

Section 2: Solemnities after Pentecost (38 pages, 1.2 MB) (Most Holy Trinity, Corpus Christi, and Most Sacred Heart)

Section 3: Sundays of Ordinary Time (384 pages, 11.5 MB) (including Christ the King)

Section 4: Proper of Saints (138 pages, 4.3 MB) (also includes Thanksgiving Day)

For individual pieces, pew parts, and sets for each Sunday and feast, you may find them in the new and improved Liturgical Calendar.  You can also use the Scriptural References page to seek references to Psalms and other Scripture passages.

Finally, if you still would rather have the old version of Psalm 151, you can access the main music .pdf here, and the pew parts here.  I'll keep it on the servers for a little while longer.  You might want to download them so you can have them offline.  Doesn't cost anything but some of your drive space.

Christus Vincit, Christus Regnat, Christus Imperat!

Save the Liturgy, Save the World!

BMP

Alleluias and Gospel Acclamations

NEW AND IMPROVED!!! With newly-added optional SATB settings of the versicles!

Alleluia "Conditor Alme" (Sundays of Advent and Immaculate Conception)

Alleluia "Divinum Mysterium" (Christmas, Holy Family, Mary Mother of God, Epiphany of the Lord, and Baptism of the Lord)

Gospel Acclamation "Vexilla Regis" (Ash Wednesday, Sundays of Lent, Passiontide, St. Joseph, and Annunciation)

Alleluia "O Filii et Filiae" (Easter Vigil through Pentecost, plus the Annunciation)

Alleluia "Pange Lingua" (Solemnities after Pentecost: Most Holy Trinity, Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Nativity of St. John the Baptist, and SS. Peter and Paul, plus Sundays X-XII of the Year)
Alleluia I for Ordinary Time (Sundays II-V of the Year , plus Presentation of the Lord)
Alleluia "Adoremus in Aeternum" (Sundays VI-IX of the Year)
Alleluia "Providentiae" (Sundays XIII-XVII of the Year) (extracted from the now-obsolete Providence Mass, written by yours truly in 1997, in the memory of C. Alexander Peloquin)
Alleluia "O Clemens" (Sundays XVIII-XXII of the Year, plus Transfiguration and Assumption) (melody based on the ending of Salve Regina)
Alleluia V for Ordinary Time (Sundays XXIII-XXVI of the Year, plus the Exaltation of the Holy Cross) (Side note: Alleluias "Adoremus in Aeternum", "Providentiae", and "O Clemens" are virtually numbered Alleluias II, III, and IV for Ordinary Time, respectively)
Alleluia "Lux Aeterna" (Sundays XXVII-XXXI of the Year, plus All Saints and All Souls)
Alleluia "Christus Vincit" (Sundays XXXII and XXXIII of the Year, plus Christ the King, Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, and Thanksgiving Day) (extracted from the now-obsolete Missa Christus Vincit, written by yours truly in 2000, based on his own Christus Vincit setting of 1999)

More to come!  Watch for updates!

Come, Thou Holy Spirit, Come

The Pentecost Sequence, in English, using the familiar Mode I chant melody, a capella, with fresh new original SATB alternate settings for certain verses!

PDF

Christians, to the Paschal Victim

The Easter Sequence, in English, using the familiar Mode I chant melody, a capella, with fresh new original SATB alternate settings for certain verses!

PDF

Pange Lingua (with alternate SATB tune!)

Excite your choir and your congregation this Holy Thursday at the Solemn Translation (Transferral) of the Holy Eucharist, or any other day as a Communion hymn.  This is the familiar Mode III (phrygian) chant tune with an original accompaniment, but with an alternate original tune in SATB for your choir!

PDF

All Glory, Laud, and Honor

Yes, the John Mason Neale translation of the Latin Gloria, laus, et honor, but to a simplified form of the Mode I chant tune.

PDF

O Redeemer

Offertory for the Chrism Mass, from the Latin O Redemptor.  Translation is from the Roman Missal.  Chant, Mode I, with a fresh new original accompaniment.

PDF

Festive Hosanna

Newly-composed "Introit" (even the Gregorian Missal calls this an "entrance antiphon") for Palm Sunday, consisting of the Mode VII Hosanna Filio David/Hosanna to the Son of David, with added fanfares for organ and brass (two trumpets, plus trombone or horn)

PDF's:
Festive Hosanna (SATB, Organ, Brass)
Instrumental Parts (2 Trumpets in B-flat and Trombone or Horn in F)

NEWLY REVAMPED: Hymns and Miscellaneous Responsories

HYMNS AND MISCELLANEOUS REPONSORIES (Link is to the alpha index!)

Re-worked for better margins, fonts, etc.  Also, accent marks on any lyric in Latin (also done in Psalm 151 and in Alleluias and Gospel Acclamations).

Some of these also match with certain propers within certain Masses.  The liturgical calendar links on the sidebar will help find if there are any matches.

Some tunes are completely original, while some are based on chant themes (namely those chant melodies given to the propers in the Graduale Romanum).

Enjoy!
BMP

VERBUM SUPERNUM PRODIENS

One of the things I always liked about St. Thomas Aquinas is his uncanny ability to make two hymns out of one.  For example, the last two verses of Sacris Solemniis is Panis Angelicus; the last two verses of Pange Lingua is Tantum Ergo.  In the hymn we're featuring today, set to an original tune based in part on the Gregorian In Splendoribus Sanctorum, the last two verses of the Verbum Supernum Prodiens is the O Salutaris Hostia.

PDF: Verbum Supernum Prodiens - SATB hymn

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TO US A CHILD OF HOPE IS BORN

Based on the Christmas Introit Puer Natus Est Nobis in both text and tune.  The 18th century hymn text is by John Morrison.  The tune is original, based on the Introit melody from the Liber Usualis (or Graduale Romanum, or Gregorian Missal, for that matter).  Incidentally, originally, I wrote the tune in a major key, realized later that this would look and sound a lot better in the mixolydian mode.

PDF - To Us a Child of Hope is Born - SATB hymn

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THE LORD ALMIGHTY REIGNS

The text, based on Psalm 93, comes from The Psalter of 1912.  The tune, original, based on the Gregorian Dominus Regnavit, the Alleluia for the Mass at Christmas Dawn.  Short and sweet (four short meter verses).  Also makes for a great hymn of praise to Christ the King.

PDF - The Lord Almighty Reigns - SATB hymn

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REMEMBER, LORD, THY SERVANTS

This piece of music is an attempt to eliminate two "ditties" from your typical run-of-the-mill parish repertoire. Here are two hints to see if you can guess what those ditties are.  The first hint is the antiphon, "Remember, Lord, thy servants, when thou dost take thy throne."  Got it?  Good.  Here is the second hint: the verses are based on the Beatitudes.  I think those who are also in favor of trying to eliminate the two "ditties" with this one piece know of which "ditties" I speak. ;)

The tune and the paraphrases are completely original.  BTW, this setting has now been incorporated into my "Psalm 151" project as the Communion for Sunday IV (A) and All Saints.

PDF - Remember, Lord, Thy Servants

responsory with antiphon and Gelineau-like Psalm tone

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PUER NATUS IN BETHLEHEM

One of my favorite Christmas tunes, in the mysterious Mode I chant.  Like How Joyful My Expressing, this piece comes in two versions: a hymn and an anthem.  The hymn is just the basic Mode I melody with my own simple accompaniment.  The anthem is for SATB, with a verse for men's voices, a verse for women's/boys' voices, an SATB verse to be sung a capella, and finally the full-blown final verse which ends in fortissitissimo (triple forte).

PDF's

Puer Natus in Bethlehem - Unison hymn

Puer Natus in Bethlehem - SATB anthem, accompanied

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O THAT I COULD FOR EVER DWELL

A short, simple unison hymn based on the passage of Psalm 27 (26) used for the Gradual for the Solemnity of the Holy Family (though a devotional hymn that could be sung at almost any occasion).  The text is written by Elizabeth Holmes Reed (1794-1867).  In writing the tune, I used part of the Gregorian Unam Petii melody as its base.  "Noble simplicity" defined here!

PDF: O That I Could for Ever Dwell - Unison hymn

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LUCIS CREATOR OPTIME

The Latin Vesper hymn of Pope St. Gregory the Great, wedded to an original hymn tune.  My first intent was to name the tune Hymn 2000, but later felt that might have been too "high tech", or maybe to "science fiction", or something like that.  Plus, GIA Publications would need a #2000 for some hymn in the future at the pace they keep updating their hymnals (Gather Super-Duper Comprehensive, Umpteenth to the Umpteenth Power Edition).  So I went with the more generic title, Hymn of Light.

The tune I wrote comes in two forms in one .pdf.  On the first page is the standard SATB harmony with a descant for the final verse, while the second page contains a faux-bourdon harmony (melody is in the tenor).

PDF - Lucis Creator Optime

SATB hymn with descant and faux-bourdon

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HOW JOYFUL MY EXPRESSING

Original text, based on Psalm 122, set to the familiar tune, Ellacombe (most widely used with such hymns as I sing the mighty pow'r of God, The day of Resurrection, Go, make of all disciples, and O Queen of the Holy Rosary).  This hymn comes in two versions - 1) the standard hymn harmony by William Henry Monk, and 2) a concertato featuring two trumpets, SATB (ending in SSATBB), and, of course, organ.  Both versions come with the melody/text version for the congregation.

PDF's:

How Joyful My Expressing

standard SATB hymn (W. H. Monk harmony)

How Joyful My Expressing

concertato for S(S)ATB(B), two trumpets, and organ
(includes instrumental parts!)

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HEAR US, O SHEPHERD LORD OF ISRAEL

A couple of hymns I uploaded ("O That I Could for Ever Dwell" and "God of Mercy, God of Grace"), were texts written in the 19th century set to music by yours truly.

For this little twist, I used the classic tune Old 124th (best known with the hymn "Turn Back, O Man, Forswear Thy Foolish Ways") and added a Psalm 80-based text of my own to fit this 16th century tune.  As an added bonus, I even threw in a descant (in fact, feel free to write in the descant with "Turn Back, O Man", so now you can have it for Lent also)!

The fourth line of each verse is repeated.  Some may ask, "Why not use the shorter tune Toulon and lose the repeat?"  Toulon is nice, too, but sorry, I'm partial to Old 124th.  In Toulon, I feel that something is missing --- yeah, that middle line.

Definitely an Advent hymn, as there are propers from the Graduale (I think the Christmas Vigil might have something, too, if I remember correctly) and a Responsorial Psalm from the Lectionary that use selected verses of Psalm 80 (Psalm 79 in the Latin Vulgate).

PDF - Hear Us, O Shepherd Lord of Israel

SATB hymn with descant

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GOD OF MERCY, GOD OF GRACE

The classic Psalm 67-based text by Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847), set to a fresh meditative tune that I wrote 22 years ago, now released to the public.  Psalm 67 serves as the appointed Responsorial Psalm once each during Christmas Season, Easter Season, and Ordinary Time.  Makes for a nice benediction-style hymn anytime.  Written for congregation with SATB support and a descant for the final verse!

PDF: God of Mercy, God of Grace - SATB hymn with descant

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.  You are free to copy and perform this work free of charge, provided that proper attributions/credits are given (as they are given in the original work), and no derivatives of the work may be made.

GOD GAVE TO US NOT A SPIRIT OF FEAR

...but a spirit strong, loving, wise.

The words of St. Paul, as written in his second letter to St. Timothy.  The three words, "Strong, Loving, Wise", appear on the coat of arms of the Most Reverend Thomas J. Tobin, the eighth (and current) Bishop of my home diocese, Providence.  That is our antiphon for this piece.  The verse text is the hymn, O God of Glory, God of Love, by John Walker.  The music, completely original, is largely influenced by the later compositions of the late C. Alexander Peloquin, longtime director of music at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, also in Providence.

PDF - God Gave to Us Not a Spirit of Fear

Responsory: unison antiphon with descnt; SATB verses

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CHRISTUS VINCIT

A Latin responsory based on Psalm 93 (Latin Vulgate Psalm 92).  Written in the fall of 1999, this responsory made its debut at Communion (following the proper) at the Extraordinary Form of Holy Mass for Christ the King at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Providence, Rhode Island, where I served happily from 1999-2003.

This setting of Christus Vincit has a mellower, more mystical flavor.  The antiphon is in the G Lydian mode (signature is key of D, but the tonic is the fourth of the D major scale, G).  We switch over to the key of E major for the verses using the G chord, then the first-inversion D (F-sharp in the bass) as a passing chord, then to the E chord.  OK, so I gave that away.  But the return to the G Lydian takes a rather interesting Peloquin-esque approach that you will have to just see for yourself.

PDF: Christus Vincit  - SATB, Congregation, Chanter(s), Organ

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CHRISTIANS, LO! THE STAR APPEARETH

Based on the Gospel passage We have seen his star at its rising, and have come with gifts to adore the Lord (Matthew 2:2).  Text by James Arnold Blaisdell.  Original tune from 1991 that I had intended back then to use with the Omer Westendorf text You have looked upon the lowly (which is owned by ICEL, not World Library - surprise, surprise!).  I forgot what I had originally named the tune, but I renamed it after that same Gospel passage in Latin, Vidimus Stellam Ejus, circa 2005.  Tune is short, but intended to be played maestoso (not fast, but with a generously registered organ).  Ideal for Epiphany!

PDF - Christians, Lo! the Star Appeareth - SATB hymn

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.  You are free to copy and perform this work free of charge, provided that proper attributions/credits are given (as they are given in the original work), and no derivatives of the work may be made.

BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES

Appointed as the Gradual for the early Mass of Christmas morning ("Mass at Dawn"), but the text calls for other uses as well, namely during the season of Easter, and Christ the King.

This piece, which I wrote in 2004, is rather unique.  It has a short, simple unison antiphon for the congregation, followed by an SATB motet-like versicle, then back to the antiphon.  Rather brief, at only 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 minutes long.

Even more unique is that the text here is in English!

PDF: Blessed is He Who Comes

SATB, Congregation, and Organ

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KNOW YOUR ROMAN NUMERALS

It is quite often one will see Roman numerals (I, II, III, etc.) in place of Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.) in my postings, often for numbered Sundays of seasons, and even (stealing my pastor's cue) for the month when writing a date (for example, today, as I write this, is July 8, 2015, or VII-8-15).

I know I'm probably preaching to the choir here, but I find it amazing that far less people are familiar with Roman numerals today than back when I learned them (first grade, that is, somewhere between September, 1970, and June, 1971).  And it was first grade where I also learned that the numbers as we use them today (1, 2, 3, etc.) are Arabic numerals.  (Side note: I also find it amazing that many younger people who work with money for a living, whether it be as a store cashier, bank teller, or even restaurant jobs, are unfamiliar with the terms "fin", "sawbuck", and "two bits".)

Anyhoo, I'm going to combine the two - Roman numerals and money!  Using Roman numerals is very much like counting money.  In United States currency, you have coins and bills (notes) of different value denominations.  Roman numerals is the same thing.  Observe:

I = 1

V = 5

X = 10

L = 50

C = 100

D = 500

M = 1000

When you have three one-dollar bills in your hand, you have three dollars ($3).  Now, let's put three I's together - III - that is three ones (3).  Now, if you put a sawbuck ($10 bill) and a fin ($5 bill) together, you have $15.  In Roman numerals, you put the X and the V together - XV - and you get the number 15.  For 125, you would use a C, two X's, and a V - CXXV.  (Yes, 20 is two X's, there is no special Roman numeral for 20 - it's just XX.)

Roman numerals are basically written in the same order as Arabic numerals, left to right from highest "digit" to lowest "digit".  However, you might see a case where one (and only one) lower "digit" might precede a higher digit.  In that case, you would subtract.  For example, IV is "one from five", which is four.  XL is "ten from fifty", or forty.  Twenty-nine would be rendered XXIX (two tens, plus "one from ten").

One note when subtracting, well, ok, two notes:

1) You can only subtract ONE lower digit from its higher digit.  IIV is not 3, nor is XXC 80.

2) You can only subtract from the next five or ten up.  In other words, 99 cannot be rendered IC.  It would be rendered XCIX (10 from 100, plus 1 from 10).  95 would not be VC, but XCV.  (IV = 4, IX = 9, XL = 40, XC = 90).

In numbering the Sundays, markings such as "II Advent" and "IV Lent" would be the Second Sunday of Advent and the Fourth Sunday of Lent, respectively.  Anything marked "Sunday (numeral)" would be a numbered Sunday of Ordinary Time.  For example, "Sunday X", "Sunday XXIII", "Sunday VI" would mark the Tenth, Twenty-Third, and Sixth Sundays of Ordinary Time, respectively.

Here endeth my basic lesson on Roman numerals.

Peace,

BMP

PS: The other term I didn't cover: "Two bits" is a quarter (25 cents). ;)

HOLY ANGELS MASS

NOW DOWNLOADABLE AS INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS OR THE COMPLETE MASS!!!

Here it is, folks! HOLY ANGELS MASS is completed! This is my first official Mass setting according to the English translation of the Roman Missal, third typical edition, which was promulgated on November 27, 2011, the First Sunday of Advent. Be one of the first on the block to learn a Mass setting that doesn't sound like another one of those "greatest hits" that you're probably so used to (and so sick of)!

The melodies used in Holy Angels Mass are based primarily on chants from Jubilate Deo, Pope Paul VI's gift to the Church, and Mass VIII (Missa de Angelis, that is, Mass of the Angels). The metrical scheme resembles that of Jan Vermulst's major contributions, People's Mass and Mass for Christian Unity.

This latest version adds descants and/or SATB harmony to the Gloria, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei (which were, until now, completely in unison).

HOLY ANGELS MASS is ready for use NOW!  Feel free to click the links below for each of the components (congregation parts included for easy copying).

Kyrie
Gloria
Sanctus
Memorial Acclamation (ALL THREE!!!)
Agnus Dei

COMPLETE Holy Angels Mass

Peace,
BMP