"Chanting the Solemn Blessing" (7:28)
This is my first podcast, so I'm sorry if the audio quality isn't great. I don't have a sophisticated setup here... I have a dinky little microphone, a piece of software called Sound Forge Audio Studio 8.0 (which I'm sure I'm not using to its utmost potential), and I'm really a beginner at this.
In this inaugural podcast, I will be chanting (probably an octave lower than normal) the Solemn Blessing for Christmas in both tones provided for in the Sacramentary, Appendix III - Music for the Order of Mass (pages 1045-1048). The Sacramentary provides the models for the Solemn Blessing, although it is not always clear which texts are one phrase, two phrases, or three phrases. I will be treating the Solemn Blessing for Christmas as being made up of three texts: the first two have two phrases, and the last one has three phrases.
The character ÿ is supposed to be a y with a grave accent (`) over it, but I can't seem to find that character code. A syllable with a grave accent (`) over it means the tone drops; a syllable with an acute accent (´) over it means the tone rises. Those syllables are also in bold. Syllables in italics are held longer.
The text I use is the Solemn Blessing for Christmas, found on page 570 of the Sacramentary. Tone A's dominant note is a C.
As the audio shows, "Spirit" has three notes -- the first syllable has two notes (C-A), and the second syllable has one note (A) -- which is why I have the first syllable underlined.Tone A
[2 phrases]
When he came to us as man,
the Son of God scattered the darkness of this world,
and filled this holy night (day) with his glóry.
May the God of infinite goodness
scatter the darkness of sin
and brighten your hearts with hòliness. (Amen)
[2 phrases]
God sent his angels to shepherds
to herald the great joy of our Savior's bírth.
May he fill you with joy
and make you heralds of his gòspel. (Amen)
[3 phrases]
When the Word became man,
earth was joined tò héaven.
May he give you his peace and good wíll,
and fellowship with all the heavenly hòst. (Amen)
May almightÿ Gòd bléss you,
the Father ànd thè Són, and the Holy Spìrit. (Amen)
Tone B is a little more complicated, because the final three words of a text have modulation on them. Tone B's dominant note is a A.
The first syllable of "Spirit" has two notes again, thus the underlining.Tone B
[2 phrases]
When he came to us as man,
the Son of God scattered the darkness of this world,
and filled this holy night (day) with his glóry.
May the God of infinite goodness
scatter the darkness of sin
and brighten your hèarts wíth hòliness. (Amen)
[2 phrases]
God sent his angels to shepherds
to herald the great joy of our Savior's bírth.
May he fill you with joy
and make you heralds òf hís gòspel. (Amen)
[3 phrases]
When the Word became man,
earth was joined to hèaven.
May he give you his peace and good wíll,
and fellowship with all thè héavenly hòst. (Amen)
May almíghty God blèss you,
the Fáther and the Són, ànd the Hòlý Spìrit. (Amen)
You'll notice that Tone A is simpler than Tone B, both for the priest and the congregation. Regardless of which tone you (as the priest) decide to use, you should certainly make sure your congregation knows how to respond. You could have your cantor prepare them before the opening hymn, for instance.
I look forward to your comments, suggestions, or questions. Remember, I'm not a priest, I'm not a professionally trained liturgist, I'm just a layman in the Church with a growing interest in chant and solemn celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Benedicite!
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