Non-Gradual-Romanum Easy Chants for the Ordinary?
  • probe
    Posts: 202
    We know the Kyrie, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei of VIII and XVIII (which we usually sing).
    I would like a change from XVIII but I can't find a Kyriale set that's easy and memorable for a parish choir.
    I've listened to all 18 on the archive.ccwatershed.org site.
    One easy Kyrie I find is Kyrie XVI . Kyrie XI is nice but long (which is also why we only sing VIII on special feasts).

    Are there other sources of chants, other than the 18 in the Graduale Romanum, which are easy to learn, by which I mean a recognisable melody or repetition, and ideally around one minute long each?


  • GerardH
    Posts: 692
    Graduale Simplex, which incorporates the Kyriale Simplex. There are six five Masses, but you could mix and match your own.
    Thanked by 3Paul F. Ford probe Chant_Supremacist
  • m_r_taylor
    Posts: 391
    Kyrie ad libitum X (very much like Kyrie XI but simplified)
    https://gregobase.selapa.net/chant.php?id=2604

    Sanctus XIII and Sanctus XVI from the Gradual I do think are pretty easy.

    Agnus Dei ad libitum II.
    https://gregobase.selapa.net/chant.php?id=2851
    Thanked by 1probe
  • m_r_taylor
    Posts: 391
    Here, I wrote a Sanctus for you, both using chant notation and modern notation. I don't know if it is simple enough, but give it a sing-through and see what you think.
    Taylor - Sanctus.pdf
    20K
    Taylor - Missa simplex Sanctus.pdf
    12K
    Thanked by 4Abbysmum CHGiffen probe sophia_benedicta
  • cantarealseñor
    Posts: 6
    The uncommon, yet simplified version of the Orbis Factor Kyrie (XI-A) can also be an option: https://gregobase.selapa.net/chant.php?id=16120
    Thanked by 1probe
  • tomjaw
    Posts: 2,979
    The Spanish Kyriale has more chants, https://societyofstbede.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/kyriale-spanish-supplement.pdf
    Thanked by 1probe
  • probe
    Posts: 202
    Thank you all! I had forgotten about the Simplex, and all the others I will look at. @m_r_taylor thank you for the work - in the Sanctus, should the first B be flat too? As the line descends to it, probably not. It's the only thing that needs explaining to a choir only some of which can read music. These will be a lovely start to our year in September.
  • m_r_taylor
    Posts: 391
    Hi probe! Indeed it's a B natural. If that proves an impediment I could adjust the piece slightly.
    Thanked by 1probe
  • m_r_taylor
    Posts: 391
    Including the above Sanctus, here is a complete Mass setting (no Gloria or Credo) with two options for the Agnus Dei. Modern notation and chant notation.
    Taylor - Missa simplex - chant notation.pdf
    92K
    Taylor - Missa simplex - modern notation.pdf
    36K
    Thanked by 1probe
  • m_r_taylor
    Posts: 391
    The simplified Sanctus is below. I still prefer the original, but this will also do if needed.
    Sanctus simplified chant.pdf
    11K
    Missa simplex - Sanctus simplified.pdf
    25K
    Thanked by 1probe
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 3,701
    We are learning XII, and I think that while maybe our congregation is just stronger than most (which is true, so keep that in mind), it’s underrated. It is shorter than IV, and the Gloria is not difficult despite being in mode IV, and it repeats motifs although less often than in Gloria IV.

    The Kyrie feels major (it starts on the G hexachord and is nice and bright). The other three parts are all plagal (mode 4, mode 2 for the Sanctus and Agnus). Range could be an issue in the Sanctus, but it feels accessible, imho: the piece repeats almost entirely at Pleni sunt and Benedictus, just with extra notes and then ornamentation of the subfinalis.
    Thanked by 1probe
  • Xopheros
    Posts: 152
    The five plain-chant masses by Henry du Mont are also simple and memorable. The facsimile notation is in the 17c chant notation style, i.e., with long and short notes. They work fine with a freer rhythm, too. There was even a 20c Solesmes edition that used the modern rhythmless square note notation, which provides evidence that it actually is sung in free style, too.
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