Liber Brevior (Latin Mass Chant Book) (Red-Edged Pages)

In 1954, Desclee and the Gregorian Institute of America published a wonderful book called the Liber Brevior. This book is essentially the exact same as the Liber Usualis (used by priests, monks, sisters and seminarians) except that it had been shortened from around two thousand pages to eight hundred. You could say it is the laymans Liber. The Liber Brevior is perfect for all small choirs that are forming today because it contains almost all the Gregorian Chant they will ever need without the addition of the Divine Office. Also, there are two sets of Graduals, Alleluias, and Tracts--the full-length Gregorian propers AND simpler psalm tone versions(of the same music).

It includes: a complete Kyriale, propers for all Sundays, all Major Feasts and votive Masses, Sunday Compline and Vespers, the music for the Mass of Confirmation and the Requiem Mass(along with the burial service). Additional chants are included in honor of the Blessed Sacrament, the Virgin Mary, and more (i.e. a few Gregorian hymns for Benediction). Special chants for the liturgical seasons are included as well. The Liber Brevior contains almost every Gregorian Chant piece the normal church choir will need.

All rubrics are in English. The rules and guidelines for singing Gregorian Chant are in the front of the book with clear, concise explanations and pictures of all the information and direction you need to start singing Gregorian Chant (even if you don't know what a note is). Small choirs will be pleased to see that the Liber Brevior includes easier psalm tone settings for Graduals, Alleluias and Tracts in an appendix in the back of the book. Only this edition of Liber Brevior includes the Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Joseph the Worker, and St. Pius X.

Black with red edges and ribbons. High quality "Bible Paper." This is the real thing!