Which Gregorian Credo is the best?
  • Richard MixRichard Mix
    Posts: 2,795
    i've been mulling over which Credo setting might be introduced to our OF congregation, and Credo III seems the obvious choice, given an englished version in the altar missal. But I seem to recall there was an assortment of opinions in some past threads here, somewhere or other…
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 2,273
    I. The authentic tone.

    I am partial to V for Paschal Time and on solemnities, but I’m a bit crazy and wouldn’t mind having four options (I for most of the year, IV for Advent and Lent, III a few times a year particularly if the ordinary is otherwise polyphonic, and then V as above).

    I should add that I do not like Credo VII at all.
  • davido
    Posts: 939
    Which is the best? IV, obviously, because it’s the most manly.
    Most popular? III, hands down.
  • GerardH
    Posts: 458
    Credo I is also Englished in the missal
    Thanked by 1Richard Mix
  • tomjaw
    Posts: 2,772
    I would suggest Credo I as it is the authentic tone. Followed by Credo IV. Too many sing the modern Credo III all the time.

    We sing Credo I for Feasts and Eastertide, II for Lent and Advent, IV for after Epiphany and Pentecost, and VI occasionally. EF of course.
  • CantorCole
    Posts: 63
    @tomjaw

    What do you mean by "authentic tone"?
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 2,273
    The rest are a riff on it or are much later independent compositions, particularly III and IV which are mensuralist (as the French would perhaps say "à la base"; I've never found a good English equivalent; "originally" is the idea, but not quite the same…), but err, few people perform them this way, and there is a certain beauty to the Solesmes versions of this, the simple Salve, etc.
  • OMagnumMysterium
    Posts: 254
    Which is the best? IV, obviously, because it’s the most manly.

    found a great appreciation for Credo IV (Cardinalis) lately, especially the original mensural version. I've transcribed a version which isn't identical to the original sources, but is a whole lot closer than the Liber, and sings easily, like a nice march.

    Don't forget about the other cantus fractus credos: credo Apostolorum, etc.
    Cardinalis Spondaic (chant).pdf
    26K
    Cardinalis Spondaic (modern).pdf
    77K
    Cardinalis Spondaic.mp3
    4M
  • M. Jackson Osborn
    Posts: 8,409
    I vote for Credo I.
    It is the only one ever used at Sarum.
  • 32ContraBombarde32ContraBombarde
    Posts: 138
    Not much love for Credo VI here. Not saying it's my favorite, but it's pretty spectacular with a drone, in a big acoustic.
    Thanked by 1Chant_Supremacist
  • AnimaVocis
    Posts: 148
    Our current schema:

    Credo I - Major Seasons/Solemnities (Christmastide/Eastertide)
    Credo II - Advent
    Credo III - Sundays of the Year
    Credo IV - Septuagesima through Lent.
  • Chant_Supremacist
    Posts: 21
    IV is the best, no question, but as far as what I'd introduce first, I or III
  • NihilNominisNihilNominis
    Posts: 1,019
    Our Credo cycle (always congregational):

    Green Sundays - IV
    Advent - I
    Christmas - III
    Lent - I
    Easter - III or IV
    Feast Days ad libitum (can be a great way to keep I & III fresh through the weeks of IV)
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
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