Some Music for Palm Sunday 2016 to Start Holy Week Off Right
(We revisit our favorite Palm Sunday post.)
Today, Palm Sunday, begin Holy Week, the most important time of year
for Catholics as well as many other of our separated brethren. Before
Mass begins, we hear the gospel account of Our Lord's triumphal entry
into Jerusalem. Traditionally, the priest then processes to the altar
accompanied by either the "Gloria Laus" - the Latin chant sung in the
Extraordinary Rite - or "All Glory Laud and Honor" which is an English
hymn, with words based on the "Gloria Laus."
Because, in so many Catholic churches, liturgical music has lost its beauty and grandeur, we're providing a version of both the original Latin chant and the more "modern" English hymn for your prayerful meditation and enjoyment. I won't spend time complaining about the state of music in our churches. The spirit of Holy Week is more important than my ranting.
If you attend a Missa Cantata (sung Mass) in the Extraordinary Rite on Palm Sunday, you'll hear the "Gloria Laus" and if sung with any competence whatsoever, you should find this chant, sung only on Palm Sunday, reverent and moving.
Here is how it should be sung:
On the other hand, if you attend a Novus Ordo Mass, "All Glory Laud and Honor" should be sung. Unfortunately, this hymn, quite grand in its own right, tends to be rushed and therefore loses its grandeur. Again, setting aside any complaints, and offering up such distractions like bad or poorly conceived music in deference to Our Lord's suffering which we recall this Holy Week, here is how this glorious hymn should be sung. This version is from the magnificent King's College choir:
Because, in so many Catholic churches, liturgical music has lost its beauty and grandeur, we're providing a version of both the original Latin chant and the more "modern" English hymn for your prayerful meditation and enjoyment. I won't spend time complaining about the state of music in our churches. The spirit of Holy Week is more important than my ranting.
If you attend a Missa Cantata (sung Mass) in the Extraordinary Rite on Palm Sunday, you'll hear the "Gloria Laus" and if sung with any competence whatsoever, you should find this chant, sung only on Palm Sunday, reverent and moving.
Here is how it should be sung:
On the other hand, if you attend a Novus Ordo Mass, "All Glory Laud and Honor" should be sung. Unfortunately, this hymn, quite grand in its own right, tends to be rushed and therefore loses its grandeur. Again, setting aside any complaints, and offering up such distractions like bad or poorly conceived music in deference to Our Lord's suffering which we recall this Holy Week, here is how this glorious hymn should be sung. This version is from the magnificent King's College choir:
Happy Palm Sunday!
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