Monday, March 10, 2014

New Publication: Sacred Choral Works by Peter Kwasniewski

I have received some exciting news from Corpus Christi Watershed. Many NLM readers already know the name of Dr. Peter Kwasniewski, one of our regular contributors. Some will know that Dr. Kwasniewski is a professor of theology, philosophy, and music at Wyoming Catholic College and serves as their choirmaster. Few, however, know that he is also a composer of sacred music, a passion he has pursued for almost 25 years. His Masses, motets, carols, antiphons, and acclamations have been performed by a number of choirs around the world from 1990 to the present.

It is therefore gratifying to be able to announce the publication of Dr. Kwasniewski's Sacred Choral Works. This 276-page collection brings together a wide variety of sacred music, in Latin and in English, guided by the highest ideals of the Catholic tradition and ready to be used at celebrations of the Roman Rite in both Forms. The 85 works published here, in styles ranging from Renaissance polyphony to classic English hymnody, include settings of the Ordinary of the Mass, Eucharistic and Marian motets, vernacular hymns, Alleluias and Lenten acclamations, seasonal works for Christmas, the Holy Triduum (with three complete settings of the Reproaches for Good Friday), and Easter. Most of the pieces are scored for SATB choir; some are for SSA/TTB and SAB groupings.

Here is CCW's announcement video, featuring one of Peter's settings of the Kyrie:


Additional information may be found at the composer's page, including the book's Preface and Table of Contents, a sample score, a snapshot of the book, and recordings of five pieces sung by Matthew Curtis of Choral Tracks. As an aid to repertoire selection and choral instruction, Dr. Kwasniewski and Mr. Curtis have collaborated to record nearly all the works contained in the book (available soon on 3 full-length CDs).

Congratulations, Dr. Kwasniewski, on this new publication, the fruit of many years of labor!

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