Organ Preludes on Hymn Tunes: A Catholic Book of Hymns Series Book

Playing daily Masses for centuries, organists in Catholic churches had certain assigned chant melodies to be sung every year. They became so familiar with these melodies, that they would improvise organ pieces featuring the melody in different ways and play these settings for the Mass.

Chants were sung unaccompanied most times and the organ played on its own at times.

Also, a common practice was playing part of a chant on the organ in place of a verse or verses, in alternation with the choir.

These compositions may be used in different ways - as a Prelude to the Mass, as an introduction to the singing of the hymn and, if a hymn is sometimes sung after Mass, as a Postlude to the Mass after the last verse is sung.

All the books in the A Catholic Book of Hymns series are prepared for you to have spiral bound at your local office supply store, the cost is about $6 a book in 2023. We suggest clear covers.