THE
P RTAL
April 2017
Page 22
Music for the masses
Christopher Smith is Organist and Director of Music at the
Ordinariate and Parish of the Most Precious Blood, London SE1
M
any musical settings of the common parts of the Mass (Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus
and Agnus Dei) for both the Ordinary and Ordinariate Form of the Roman Rite exist. Groups with
extensive musical resources at their disposal will already have an appropriate repertoire. Most groups will
have more limited resources and the following lists are written with them in mind.
In the following lists, only settings which anticipate
congregational participation have been suggested.
Most are by British composers, several of whom have
close connections with well-known Anglo-Catholic
Churches. I’m sure there are others to add; do write to
the editors with your suggestions.
Congregational settings for the Ordinary Form
Missal Tones in Latin and English. The Diocese
of Leeds Music Department team have produced
accompaniments for these which are free to download
from their website - www.dioceseofleedsmusic.org.uk/
advice_materials
Missa de Angelis in Latin So widely used both in this
country and overseas that it’s difficult to be a Catholic
and not pick it up somewhere along the way. Learn
this, Credo III and the Pater Noster in Latin and you’ll
be well-prepared for Mass in Rome or nearer home.
quasi-plainsong style. This setting is popular in many
parishes and is a recommended setting, usually along
with Missa de Angelis, used at big Diocesan events
for several Dioceses. It’s not as easy as people think
and the Agnus Dei can easily go astray. The newly
composed Gloria is perhaps not as successful as the
rest of the setting.
Mass of St Luke the Evangelist – Phillip Stopford
(Organ, unison voices with optional SATB and
optional brass) Phillip was a chorister at Westminster
Abbey and went as Organ Scholar to Keble College,
Oxford. To get a flavour of his work there are
recordings on YouTube of, for example, “Do not be
afraid” and “Teach me O Lord”. The Mass of St Luke
is a comprehensive setting with both the English and
Latin texts set. Many extras are also set, including
Gospel acclamations, response to the Prayer of the
Faithful and a very attractive congregational setting in
English of the Vidi aquam. Both the Kyrie and Agnus
Dei are led by a Cantor and the congregation then
plays follow the leader. This is a moderately complex
Mass setting in some parts but still suitable for
congregational participation. It requires a competent
Organist, decent Organ and a few confident voices to
do it justice.
Mass of St Gregory - Fr Mark Elliott Smith (Organ,
unison voices with optional SATB)
The Kyrie and Agnus Dei are almost identical,
which makes learning this setting a little easier than
some others. The Gloria requires a bit of work to get
a congregation singing it, a swift pace helps, but the
very singable Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei make this
a popular and straightforward setting. Fr Mark is a Congregational settings for Divine Worship:
Priest of the Ordinariate and dedicated the work to The Missal John Merbecke’s setting of the Holy
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
Communion was much loved by the Oxford Movement
reformers of the nineteenth century. It had both the
Mass of St Peter – Malcolm Archer (Organ, unison timeless feel of plainsong while setting the words in
voices with optional SATB) Malcolm Archer has held English. What we know today are largely nineteenth
a number of posts in Anglican Cathedrals including century adaptions of Merbecke’s music to 1662 words.
St Pauls’ but is now Director of Chapel Music and (As an aside, Merbecke was tried for heresy in the
Organist at Winchester College. This setting was Priory Church of St Mary Overie, commonly called
written for St Peter’s Catholic Cathedral, Lancaster. St Saviour’s Cathedral, Southwark, which is within the
It is tuneful and fun! The Agnus Dei is rhythmically parish boundary of MPB).
subtle and repays the effort of learning it.
Anglican Folk Mass - Martin Shaw (Unison with
Mass of St Anne – Sir James Macmillan (Organ, organ) This is intended for unison singing, but
unison voices with optional SATB) The well-known parts of it may be sung in harmony if desired. A
Catholic composer updated this setting with the words straightforward and much-loved setting in a quasi-
of the new translation in 2011 and added a Gloria in a plainsong style.
... continued at the foot of next page Ø