Compline: Weber vs. van Roode
  • avscvltaavscvlta
    Posts: 83
    For chanting Compline (OF), I'm seeing books by Fr. Samuel Weber and Steven van Roode. The main differences are that Weber's volume is an Latin/English hardcover, while van Roode's is a Latin-only paperback. Beyond those, does anyone know if there are any differences in the Latin text or chants?
  • BenBen
    Posts: 3,114
    From what I understand, van Roode uses the books for the chanted office, while Weber bases his off the breviary, and adds music.
    Thanked by 1avscvlta
  • smvanroodesmvanroode
    Posts: 998
    That's right, Ben.

    Fr. Samuel Weber uses the texts from Liturgia Horarum. My booklet also follows Liturgia Horarum, but for the chants I use the 1983 typical edition of Ordo Cantus Officii*, which prescribes the Gregorian chants if Divine Office is to be sung. Liturgia Horarum doesn't take into account the treasury of Gregorian chants, and has a fair number of antiphons that do not occur in the Gregorian repertoire. This also pertains to the office of Compline. Fr. Weber's booklet therefore has, inevitably, some neo-Gregorian compositions, created by the author.

    * Rumours have it that the Congregation for Divine Worship has resecenlty finalized a long awaited new edition of the Ordo Cantus Officii, but is hasn't been made public yet.
    Thanked by 4chonak BruceL avscvlta igneus
  • avscvltaavscvlta
    Posts: 83
    I've found that both of you, in addition to what you've written above, addressed this question last August in a New Liturgical Movement article. Thanks! According to that article, the difference are:
    - Ad Completorium gives musical settings for the examination of conscience
    - Ad Completorium has the melodies of the hymns according to the Liber Hymnarius
    - Ad Completorium has the responsories for Holy Week and Paschal Triduum not set to a psalm tone but uses the Gregorian setting from the Graduale Romanum instead
    - Ad Completorium follows the Ordo Cantus Officii for the antiphons instead of using the antiphon texts of Liturgia Horarum
    - Ad Completorium uses genuine Gregorian chants instead of newly composed neo-Gregorian chants
    - Ad Completorium is a Latin-only edition
  • avscvltaavscvlta
    Posts: 83
    Pretty clear choice. I'm going to buy van Roode's! Now...if only he'd sell it in hardcover. ;)

    (Bindings are also addressed in the NLM article.)
  • smvanroodesmvanroode
    Posts: 998
    Thanks, avscvlta. If hardcover is what you prefer over paperback, I can offer this binding at Lulu as well. The price, however, will be significant higher. I'll try to create a hardcover edition this afternoon (need to change the paper format).
    Thanked by 1avscvlta
  • smvanroodesmvanroode
    Posts: 998
    Done: Ad Completorium is now also available as hardcover!
    Thanked by 2avscvlta CHGiffen
  • avscvltaavscvlta
    Posts: 83
    Deal! I just ordered a couple of copies.

    I've noticed the pdf version on your website and am stunned by the fulgence of your typesetting skills. Not to mention the generous and lightening-fast customer service. Thank you!
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
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