Welcome to Canticum Verborum
Here at Canticum Verborum, or “Song of Words,” David shares insights about his compositions and his thoughts on Catholic liturgical music in general, always with a view toward transcending the worldly and entering into the solemn worship of Almighty God through the timeless traditions of the Church.
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Getting Started
If you’re new to DAS Works, and what’s being offered at this website, here’s an overview and some guidance to help you get started. First, the website offers recordings and PDF scores of the composer’s music. The audio is available via streaming membership or as downloadable audio files in mp3,…
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What is Sacred Music?
“Cantare amantis est”: Singing as an Act of Love “Cantare amantis est,” St. Augustine once observed—singing belongs to one who loves—and since the Eucharist is the supreme act of Christ’s love for us, it is only appropriate that we give thanks for this sublime act through song. The Birth of…
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Now, more than ever…
Now, more than ever, we must bring back the beauty of music to the Roman Catholic Tradition… “The profound connection between beauty and the liturgy should make us attentive to every work of art placed at the service of the celebration…Everything related to the Eucharist should be marked by beauty”…
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Extending the use of Two-Part Motets
The thirty-one Two-Part motets were originally written as “training wheels” for choirs who need to gain more confidence in singing polyphony and harmony, and to learn rhythmic control. Also, there has always been a shortage of short “fill-in” choral music for liturgical situations. For example, at communion, a choir will…