Chants of the Vatican Graduale - MusicaSacra

390 Solemnity of St. Joseph
OFFERTORY (Ps. 147: 12, 13)
1. Lauda, Jerusalem, Dominum: 1. Praise the Lord, 0 Jerusalem:
2. quoniam confortavit seras por- 2. because he hath strengthened the
tarum tuarum: 3. benedixit filiis bolts of thy gates: 3. He hath blessed
tuis in te. 4. Alleluia, alleluia. thy children within thee. 4. Alleluia,
alleluia.
The phrasing of the text is both clear and distinct. The first phrase
is an exhortation to Jerusalem to render praise to God, the second and
third phrases give the reasons for this exhortation, while the fourth
phrase comprises a joyous Alleluia. Lauda is not so much a call to an
energetic awakening as to sober reflection: Jerusalem, city of peace, reflect
and realize, how according to the implication of your very name,
you have every reason to praise your God. God has so strengthened the
bolts of your gates that enemies shall storm against them in vain. He has
given you a powerful protector in St. Joseph. The melody over the
accented syllable of confortavit is invigorating and triumphant. The
musical turn c be ac ga a immediately preceding and introducing this
word is very charming. St. Joseph not only protects the Church from external
enemies, but mediates for her inner life and well-being (in te) rich
graces and blessings from which all her children may draw. The veins
through which these graces and blessings flow to the individual are the
Sacraments of the Church. The melody now becomes more quiet, more
simple, one might say more intimate. The second part of each of these
phrases shows various similarities:
gc
D6abcasegcfi-
agmiag
ras
ag
li-
9f
num
9
por-
9
is
gag
9fag
td-
9fag
tu-
g
rum
9
is.
The first Alleluia is an earnest, almost timid cry of joy, following
which the melody develops brilliantly and joyfully. The pressus, which
are each preceded by four-note groups, form the points of support for
the rich melisma. These four-note groups invariably set in a third higher
than their preceding note. There is also a group over -ia similar to the
one at the close of the first phrase.
COMMUNION (Matt. 1: 16)
1. Jacob autem genuit Joseph, 1. Now Jacob begat Joseph, the
virum Mariae, 2. de qua natus est husband of Mary, 3. of whom was