Can we have a frank discussion about music in Mass?

[Peeps]

I just read my reply in which I praised the “beauty in orderly lines, spaces, and light.”

I’m a huge fan of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, which is very popular in the Chicago area, which is where I live.

Just few weeks ago, my brother and I took a day trip to Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin. (We are both interested in unique homes and also older, vintage homes.) Throughout the 2-hour tour, we heard the tour guide describe “lines, spaces, and light” !!! And we, along with everyone else on the tour, oohed and ahhed, and wished that we could live in Taliesin and experience the utter peace and beauty of such a beautiful, calm, restorative space.

I recommend the tour for all who live close enough to drive, or if you are in Wisconsin for some other reason.

There are also several shrines in Wisconsin. I’ve been on retreat at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse–beautiful!

 

[Loud-living-dogma]

Well, don’t you think the priest has deciding power over the music? If he didn’t like it, he wouldn’t allow it in the first place. I think a better approach might be to ask the priest for him to chant his parts…

 

[AustinGM]

The Church actually has extensive legislation in regards to sacred music but for some reason no one seems to follow these liturgical LAWS as well as other ones. Any music other than from instruments that mimic the human voice such as an organ or string instruments is actually forbidden. The Second Vatican Council actually reinforced the position of Gregorian Chant but because ,the Spirit of VII‘‘ seemed to takeover and the faithful did not easily and readily have access to the liturgical legislation and documents other things were put before there feet and gladly accepted as authentic liturgical reform which is quite the contrary. The use of Gregorian chant is supposed to reinforce the sacredness of the liturgical act and show that it is not some profane act. However, there is also a problem with the neumes in old chant notation as they do not indicate how long a sylllable should be sung and other such timing signatures are missing as the singers would have originally largely known the music and hymns by heart and therefore, would not have had to have these indicators. I have experienced abuses even among traditional circles where the notes were sung too low or even to high by an all female choir which constitutes a liturgical abuse in a liturgical setting. Certain syllables should not be elongated or exaggerated as often happens as well. These things are frowned upon by the documents concerning sacred music as Gregorian chant belongs to the patrimony of the church and should therefore be able to be sung by all. There was a high point at least in the USA where most people were becoming familiar if they were not already able to sing certain mass settings such as the Mass of the Angels. This is well documented from the Church Music Association and the likes of people involved with sacred music from the period immediately preceding Vatican II.

Tra Le Sollecitudini Instruction on Sacred Music

http://www.kathpedia.com/index.php/Tra_le_sollecitudini_(Wortlaut)

https://sanctamissa.org/en/music/church-documents-on-liturgical-music/musicae-sacrae.pdf

https://sanctamissa.org/en/music/church-documents-on-liturgical-music/musicae-sacrae.html

https://sanctamissa.org/en/music/church-documents-on-liturgical-music/mediator-dei.pdf

https://sanctamissa.org/en/music/church-documents-on-liturgical-music/mediator-dei.html

https://sanctamissa.org/en/music/ch...l-music/de-musica-sacra-et-sacra-liturgia.pdf

https://sanctamissa.org/en/music/ch...-music/de-musica-sacra-et-sacra-liturgia.html

 

[Loud-living-dogma]

“for some reason, no one seems to follow these liturgical laws…”
Aye, there’s the rub.
I’ve given up and just attend Latin Mass as often as possible.