plainchant mass, etc.

[Angela Barber]

I know I'm ignorant but, can anyone tell me where I can purchase a CD of the plainchant mass di angelis? I find the repetition of the music I teach my choir invaluable.... they still aren't happy with reading music so, sadly, parrot fashion is usually acceptable. I've tried all the usual avenues, Amazon, etc. but with no success.
We're also trying the Lourdes mass of 2008 so, if anyone knows where I can get a CD of that, I'll be most grateful.
I keep smiling and trying but often I feel more like crying!! Angela

[Nick Baty]

Looks as though it is on Amazon after all and performed by the Canonesses at Newhall: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eternal-Light-M ... 930&sr=1-6

There are also other recordings on Amazon.

Two quick queries:
1) If it's tricky for the choir to learn it, how will you teach it to the assembly?
2) Where can I get the score for the Lourdes Mass 2008? (I'm after the Gloria.)

[Scholastica]

A CD entitled "Plainsong for parishes" produced by "The Music Makers" is available from Farnborough Abbey bookshop
http://www.theabbeyshop.com/index.php?c ... =2a&page=2
It includes six different plainsong masses including Missa de Angelis plus other Mass parts and Marian anthems.

[nazard]

Angela,

Don't let Nick put you off. Missa de Angelis is quite easily learned and the congregation will pick it up quickly enough.

The music makers' CDs are very good. They sing very precisely and clearly, which is good for learning. They do take everything at a terrific pace though, you will probably want to take things a little slower at mass.

Few parishes have the luxury of choristers who can actually read music, or sing a part without being members of quite a large section, and Gregorian chant gives you a range of musical items that are within the capabilities of the very limited resources many of us have to work with, and give us the opportunity to support and fulfil the wishes of the second Vatican council.

[Ros Wood]

Both the music and a recording of the Lourdes 2008 Mass are available from the Librarie in the Sanctuaries. Website: http://www.lourdes-editions.com/

Alternatively, you could ask someone who is going on Pilgrimage from your area to pick them up. Most of the British Pilgrmages will be going out in the next few weeks.

[Nick Baty]

Don't let Nick put you off

Could you explain that one, please.

[nazard]

... If it's tricky for the choir to learn it, how will you teach it to the assembly?

Don't let Nick put you off

Could you explain that one, please.

Simple enough. Missa de angelis is very straightforward, so the fundamental truth that music which is difficult for the choir to learn will be difficult for the congregation to learn isn't going to give any trouble.

[Nick Baty]

Noone said it would be difficult for the congregation to learn.
But – given that the choir is part of the assembly, and, usually the made up of volunteers who are willing to have a go – if Angela is finding they're having problems learning it, and need a CD to learn from, then her work will be cut out when she first presents it to the assembly.

[nazard]

I find recordings a great help when introducing new music to the choir. It saves me having to play the keyboard, sing and listen out for their mistakes at the same time. Its so helpful that if necessary I have been known to make a recording myself specially. The congregation then learn from the choir in the same way that the choir learned from the cd.

[Nick Baty]

The congregation then learn from the choir in the same way that the choir learned from the cd.

Some, yes. But as this is a Mass setting there are some items the assembly must sing from day one and these they learn from the cantor/animator.

[gwyn]

Cut to the chase. Plainchant isn't difficult to read.

For many different reasons individuals start with an idea that to read plainchant is really difficult. Get your choir/music group together and learn the rudiments. That's what we did in Sunny Abergavenny. It's paid off.

If it's the Doh clef then it's a major key, if it's a Fah clef then it's minor. Off you go. We decided that at rehearsal we'd simply go for it, freely getting it wrong, laughing at ourselves and learning from it.

La-la-la the melodies through a few times free of words, then add the words once familiarity is attained. A CD to follow as well will add confidence.

Break a leg.

[Southern Comfort]

Plainchant isn't difficult to read.

Agreed.

If it's the Doh clef then it's a major key, if it's a Fah clef then it's minor.

Bit of an oversimplification. 3rd and 4th modes are definitely not major.....

[Nick Baty]

Cut to the chase. Plainchant isn't difficult to read.

Hugely debatable – I've been trying for years and still can't read it.

[mcb]

Cut to the chase. Plainchant isn't difficult to read.

I agree wholeheartedly - it's much easier than any learned instruction manual makes out. It takes five minutes to teach people how to read it and the rest is practice. You use the clef to work out where Do is, then it's one tick of the clock for each note, expect when there's an underline, or a dot following, or a squiggly note following, in which case it's two. All the rest is pointless complication.

[Nick Baty]

For we bears of smaller brain it's incredibly difficult.