The Archdiocese of Cape Town (South Africa in general) struggles to keep good quality music a constant, however, today I was mightily impressed. It has been the first Mass I have heard that included polyphony. A visiting choir (the CTCC - Cape Town Chamber Choir) came to share what they had been working on.

It was sublime. Though the music itself did not have much to do with the propers, it made a lasting impression - this is where polyphony truly belongs - in the Mass. As the priest was incensing the cross, the choir sang "cum Christo gaudent omnes Sancti" from Victoria's O quam golriosum - This may sound dramatic, but I shed a tear or two.

Other offerings included:
Offertory: O quam gloriosum - Victoria
Communion: Cantate Domino - Hans Leo Hassler
Post-communion: Dixit Maria - Palestrina

I hope that there will be much more of this in the future!