1974 Graduale Romanum

[NicPais83]

I’m embarrassed to say that, while I knew it existed, I didn’t know that the 1974 Graduale Romanum was a real option for the Ordinary Form. I knew that the Introits for the Ordinary Form were the same as the Introits for the Extraordinary Form, but my Daily Roman Missals (1969 and 1962) show differences with the Communion antiphons and Gospel Acclamations. But, according to the Graduale, the Ordinary form looks like it can use all of the same antiphons that the Extraordinary Form: Introit, Gradual, Alleluia/Tract, Offertory, Communion.

1. Is there a difference between the chants in the Graduale and the antiphons in the Ordinary form (are the shorter, correspond to different music, etc?)
2. Why don’t we explore re-discovering these chants and using them instead of some of the horrible hymns that get used?
3. Has anyone ever been to a Mass in the Ordinary Form where the Responsorial Psalm was replaced with the corresponding Gradual?

 

[VociMike]

The monks of St Peter Abbey in Solesmes (the authors of the Graduale Romanum) use it exclusively for their OF Masses. Probably couldn’t get a more authoritative confirmation than that.

Another option is the Gregorian Missal, also compiled by Solesmes. Some of the chant settings have been simplified, and the English translations of the texts are included.

Why don’t we re-think singing the Gregorian Propers? Apparently we are, as I hear reports of new scholas popping up everywhere.

 

[NicPais83]

Another option is the Gregorian Missal, also compiled by Solesmes. Some of the chant settings have been simplified, and the English translations of the texts are included.
QUOTE]

What exactly is the difference between the Gregorian Missal and the Graduale? Do they have different propers, or are they the same propers set to a different style of chant? Is one book an abridged form of the other, like how the Kyriale is only a section of the Graduale?

 

[japhy]

1. Is there a difference between the chants in the Graduale and the antiphons in the Ordinary form (are the shorter, correspond to different music, etc?)

I’m not sure what you mean. The 1974 Graduale (written for the Ordinary Form) contains the antiphons for the Ordinary Form. The only discrepancy one finds is that the Ordinary Form’s Roman Missal sometimes contains different entrance/communion antiphons (and it contains no offertory antiphon!) apparently because the Consilium thought spoken Masses should have different propers. (?!)

I’ve attached a PDF (from MusicaSacra.com) that shows which propers should be used for which weeks of the year.

1. Why don’t we explore re-discovering these chants and using them instead of some of the horrible hymns that get used?

Some places are… other places are either unaware or obstinate.

 

[porthos11]

I’m embarrassed to say that, while I knew it existed, I didn’t know that the 1974 Graduale Romanum was a real option for the Ordinary Form. I knew that the Introits for the Ordinary Form were the same as the Introits for the Extraordinary Form, but my Daily Roman Missals (1969 and 1962) show differences with the Communion antiphons and Gospel Acclamations. But, according to the Graduale, the Ordinary form looks like it can use all of the same antiphons that the Extraordinary Form: Introit, Gradual, Alleluia/Tract, Offertory, Communion.

The 1974 Graduale Romanum is actually the standard Ordinary Form Gradual, and is the first preferred option for the Propers. The second preferred option is the Graduale Simplex.

1. Is there a difference between the chants in the Graduale and the antiphons in the Ordinary form (are the shorter, correspond to different music, etc?)

Again, since the 1974 is the Ordinary Form Gradual, there is no difference. You probably mean between either the Graduale Romanum and the Missal, or the Graduale Romanum and the Graduale Simplex. The antiphons in the Missal are not the same antiphons in the Gradual; those in the Missal are for spoken Masses, not sung ones. This distinction probably does not exist in the Extraordinary Form.

1. Why don’t we explore re-discovering these chants and using them instead of some of the horrible hymns that get used?

Well, the Church so desires it.

1. Has anyone ever been to a Mass in the Ordinary Form where the Responsorial Psalm was replaced with the corresponding Gradual?

Not the Responsorial Psalm, but when I served at a choir, I preferred to use the chants of the Graduale Simplex, since the Graduale Romanum was a bit too elaborate for my poor members. However, even the Graduale Simplex chants turned out quite beautifully, so the point that our Rector told me that he “liked” my group, because it’s “Catholic”.

 

[Lazerlike42]

A few follow up questions to the OP’s:

1. What is the difference between the Graduale Romanum and the Graduale Simplex?
2. Where are these antiphons to be used in the Mass? Am I correct that the entrance and communion antiphons are to be used, essentially, in those places where most parishes have the “opening hymn” and the communion hymn? I believe I understand that much, but I suppose my greater question (aside from whether I am correct) is as to what other parts of the Mass are in the Graduales?

 

[porthos11]

A few follow up questions to the OP’s:

1. What is the difference between the Graduale Romanum and the Graduale Simplex?

The Graduale Simplex has simpler tones, and a cycle of 8 Ordinary Time Masses. The Graduale Romanum is much more elaborate.

1. Where are these antiphons to be used in the Mass? Am I correct that the entrance and communion antiphons are to be used, essentially, in those places where most parishes have the “opening hymn” and the communion hymn? I believe I understand that much, but I suppose my greater question (aside from whether I am correct) is as to what other parts of the Mass are in the Graduales?

Introits, Responsorial Psalms, Alleluias/Gospel acclamations, Offertories, Communions, and Sequences.

 

[jkzeigler]

In Portland Oregon USA, there is a choral group called Cantores In Ecclesia. Every Saturday night they sing mass in the Ordinary Form (at St Stephen’s church Portland OR) using all gregorian propers. They sing the gradual instead of the responsorial psalm. They also sing mass in the Dominican Rite for a local Domincan priory at Holy Rosary church Portland OR.

 

[VociMike]

1. Where are these antiphons to be used in the Mass? Am I correct that the entrance and communion antiphons are to be used, essentially, in those places where most parishes have the “opening hymn” and the communion hymn? I believe I understand that much, but I suppose my greater question (aside from whether I am correct) is as to what other parts of the Mass are in the Graduales?

Entrance hymn → Introit
Responsorial psalm → Gradual
Alleluia → Alleluia
Offertory hymn → Offertory
Communion hymn → Communion