This is extremely interesting in many ways.
Midnight Mass, St. George Cathedral, Southwark, London
The schola director is Nick Gale.
The Mass was celebrated by His Grace Archbishop Peter Smith. The Mass setting (Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus & Agnus Dei) was Nicholas O’Neill’s Missa Sancti Nicolai (2008) – Latin SATB (div) & organ. The Gregorian propers were sung (Introit, Alleluia and Communio – the Responsorial Psalm is sung in English), as was the Solemn Proclamation of Christmas (sung in English to the traditional, solemn Latin tone) and Credo III (sung in Latin). The Our Father was sung to the setting by Rimsky-Korsakov.
The communion motet: James MacMillan’s In splendoribus for SATB & trumpet. The Cathedral Girls Choir sang an anthem to Our Lady by Timothy Craig Harrison. The Mass concludes with Alma Redemptoris (simple tone sung by all).
The chant is free, natural, and strong – fantastic sound really. Incredibly, the people are actually singing, and not only the English hymns. Pay careful attention Americans: listen to the final Alma. Listen and weep for yourselves.
In general, Americans will learn a great deal just by watching these videos and seeing how it is done.
On that alto in the Shrine choir
GetReligion.org blogs on the WashPost story on Callista Gingrich.
Last Chance to Be Part of the Greatest Book on Catholic Music Ever
Mary, Mother of God, Simple English propers
Accompaniments to SEP – and great news!
Organ accompaniments to the Simple English Propers are being posted week by week.
And now the GREAT NEWS: The Simple English Propers are available again, this time with a ribbon!
The Gradual Sung at the Vatican!
Here is the entrance with media voiceover.
Here is the very ending of the Gradual. If anyone can find a better video, let me know.
And the communion chant and polyphonic Psalm.