GREGORIAN CHANT WORKSHOP

On Saturday, December 2, Cathedral Music Director Paul Hanebuth will present “Gregorian Chant in the Liturgy” at the Rectory for the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Government St. The one-day seminar will give participants an overview of the 1500-year history of Gregorian chant, and concentrate on current scholarship into performance practice in the context of both concerts and church services.

Chant practice within the Christian Church was codified during the time of Pope Gregory I (“the Great”); these chants were the only Christian sacred music performed until the advent of polyphony in the fifteenth century. During the European upheavals of the nineteenth century, much of this vast repertoire of music was in acute danger of being lost forever. Due mainly to the work of the monks of Solesmes Abbey (France) during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, manuscripts up to 1200 years old have been preserved, studied, and organized into collections useful to the present day. Analyzing the differences between manuscript copies of the same chant from different locations and times has allowed chant scholars to deduce much about rhythms, modes, and melodic interpretation that is not indicated in chants hand-copied before the invention of modern notation. During the workshop at the Cathedral, Mr. Hanebuth will discuss the impact of these historical events, as well as current performance practice according to the scholarship of the monks of Solesmes and scholars at the Vatican and elsewhere.

Mr. Hanebuth has studied the history and performance of chant with Theodore Marier and Scott Turkington of the Boston Archdiocesan Choir School, Fr. Daniel Saulnier of Solesmes Abbey, Lawrence Harris of the Canadian Symposium on Music in Liturgy, and Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, of St. John’s Abbey. The Cathedral-Pontifical Choir, which he directs, performs Gregorian chant weekly at cathedral masses.

There will be a minimal charge for the presentation to cover the cost of materials and lunch for participants. The event will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m.; participants will then be invited to apply their newly-acquired skills in performing the beautiful Proper Chants for the First Sunday of Advent at the 4:30 mass at the Cathedral.


CHORAL VESPERS

On December 3, 10, and 17, the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception will present Advent Choral Vespers at 4:30 p.m. A “mini-recital” will precede each service; featured performers are the Heim duo (flute and guitar), T.J. Dezauche (tenor), and Mobile’s Singing Children. The beautiful evening prayer service is a continuation of the centuries-old monastic tradition of praying Biblical texts, especially the Psalms, several times daily in an attempt to follow St. Paul’s admonition to “pray without ceasing”. Led by the Cathedral-Pontifical Choir, under the direction of Paul Hanebuth, the Vespers feature both ancient and new musical settings of psalms and canticles during a service that is almost entirely sung. The choir will also perform classic Advent choral repertoire, such as “E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come” by Paul Manz and the anonymous 16th century setting of “Rejoice in the Lord Alway”. Vespers is a beautifully moving way to meditate and prepare for Jesus’ coming on Christmas Day. All are invited to attend these free presentations.



For more information on cathedral events, please contact Paul Hanebuth at 434-1573 or cathmusic@bellsouth.net

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