Why Organ and Not Piano? New Episode of Square Notes

The latest episode of Square Notes: The Sacred Music Podcast examines the origins of the organ in the Roman rite, and the theological basis for its acceptance into a religion that considers the human voice as its primary instrument. If you’ve been looking for a primer in the Church’s understanding of the pipe organ, or for a way to explain the mens Ecclesiæ to people in your parish, give this episode a listen. Our guest is Dr. Nathan Knutson, Director of Sacred Music at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia.



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Votive Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the CMAA Colloquium

Yesterday at the Colloquium, a Votive Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe was celebrated in Spanish by Fr Michael Connolly. The Propers were chanted in Spanish and the Mass setting was La Misa Caça by Cristobal de Morales. Among the motets sung were Ave gratia plena by Cornelius Verdonck, O celestial medicina by Francisco Guerrero and Adoramoste, Señor by Francisco de la Torre. The conductors pictured are Jeffrey Morse and David Hughes; the organist was Nathan Knutson.

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Mass for the Feast of St Thomas, Apostle at the CMAA Colloquium

Yesterday at the CMAA Colloquium, Fr James Richardson offered Mass in the Ordinary Form on the feast of St Thomas the Apostle at the Cathedral Basilica of Ss Peter and Paul in Philadelphia. The Latin propers were sung with Chant Mass IV; among the the motets sung were Quia vidisti me, Thoma by Hassler, Mitte manum by Isaac and O salutaris hostia by Anerio. The choir directors pictured are Nathan Knutson, Dr. Timothy McDonnell and David Hughes; the organist was Michael Garrepy.

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