I'd like to begin using the seasonal Marian antiphons at my parish, but there is no way that the Latin chants are going to be accepted. Are there any English translations of these, in either chant or hymn style?
All four of the Marian votive antiphons may be found set to English beginning at p. 491 of St Dunstan's Plainsong Psalter, a book that every Catholic choirmaster should have. It may be had from the Lancelot Andrewes Press. This book contains the entire Miles Coverdale psalter, plus the New Testament Canticles pointed for the Gregorian psalm tones in square notes. It also has a table of all the eight tones with their various endings, plus a few tones peculiar to various English mediaeval uses such as Sarum and York, Hereford, Gloucester, etc.
Here, in foldable letterhalf format, are all four Marian antiphons in metrical English translation, paired to familiar (or easily learned) hymn tunes. SATB.
These are sung after the Vicar General's monthly English-language chant Mass at the diocesan chancery chapel. After his monthly Latin OF Mass, we sing the simple-tone Gregorian versions. Both are included in the custom Latin–English Order of Sung Mass created for this purpose. (That edition pairs the English equivalent of Ave Regina Cælorum with the warhorse OLD HUNDREDTH.)
Aristotle - These are really nice! I especially like the Gibbons setting. 'Wareham', too, is an excellent choice. 'Easter Hymn' is something of a surprise, but it really does work. 'Gaudeamus pariter', though, is almost happy-clappy: one should perhaps sing it with a tad of Anglican restraint?
Thanks for the kind words. Yes, the restraint would definitely be called for with 'Gaudeamus pariter' given the text. I did look up other familiar tunes that begin with a strong accent; this, for example, seemed quite a bit less appropriate. :¬)
You are right! Of the two, gaudeamus is better. Had you considered WEIMAR, as found at no. 37 in the 1940? This seems rather nice and reflective... not so jumpy.
Male voices only? What could be better than the original plainsong melodies adapted to English... as mentioned above in St Dunstan's Plainsong Psalter.
Heath - I would be glad to, but that is beyond my computer expertise. Perhaps someone else who has the book can do this. I heartily recommend you get the book from the Lancelot Andrewes Press. (They have lots of other good things, too.)
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