Monday 20 July 2009

Masses of Masses



Missa Cum Jubilo



Missa Orbis Factor



Missa De Angelis

On the third Sunday of every Month, St Mary Magdalen's has a Tridentine Mass. My friend and fellow parishioner, John, and I, yesterday 'had a bash' at singing the Missa Orbis Factor, as well as singing psalm tones to propers. Our choir leader, Clare is away at the moment, but we thought we would have a go while the choir takes a break.

Unfortunately, we made a dogs dinner of the Gloria and the Sicut in holocausto. Once we had lost our footing in the Gloria we panicked and this only made it worse. Apologies to the congregation and Heaven that had to listen to it! For the time being we are being encouraged to stick with the Missa de Angelis until we feel confident enough to sing the Orbis Factor, or possibly the Cum Jubilo one day. It is great that there are so many resources on the web on singing the Mass. The trick is to rehearse and to do it prayerfully so that one day we can sound as sweet as the monks in these videos...Now there is a challenge!

3 comments:

pelerin said...

Well done both of you for attempting this! Hiccoughs are inevitable in a first attempt and the fact that you had no leader made it doubly difficult. The Gloria seemed particularly difficult but I'm glad the Credo was familiar to us all although I was not sure whether we should join in or not.

Gregorian Chant is so beautiful (and according to some medical experts listening to it even brings down the blood pressure!) Do keep on practising and I hope it won't be too long before we hear you again.

Dilly said...

I was new to Orbis factor a few months ago, knowing the Angelis, which I had sung for years. The main problem is the four line stave makes it easy to miss the interval when sightreading. Two things might help. 1. Try to get a version written out in conventional notation. They used to do all the settings at the back of hymnals in the 60s and 70s. Are there any lying around at the church? 2. If no luck, then do what I do - play the music (as you have obviously been doing) with the plainchant version in front of you, to effectively "teach yourself plainchant".

Et Expecto said...

Actually, plainchant notation is as easy to read as modern notation, once you get the hang of it, which only takes a few minutes.

If you find the Gloria difficult, I suggest singing Orbis Factor but with the Gloria from de Angelis. The Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei are quite easy. It is a matter of getting used to it. It will come with practice.

Congratulations on your efforts. Don't give up.

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