Catholic Liturgical Music

[lvschant]

OCP hymnals… don’t forget about Breaking Bread (missal and hymnal in one)… affectionately referred to by some as:

Bustin’ Bread.

Janet.

 

[Guitar]

And some of us see the writing on the wall when a Gloria by Carey Landry makes its appearance at Easter, complete with a return to the Glory & Praise hymnals that hadn’t been used in 10 years.

Well, not in my parish, I am happy to say. We needed new hymnals about 20 years ago and the parish school pushed for G&P whereas a couple of us went for a hymnal that had some of the stuff they wanted but also had the old faithfuls. We’d have had no chance in a head-on all-or-nothing battle but by going for the middle ground, we kept G&P out of the pews, which gave us a bit of breathing space. Thankfully now, if the same argument ever came up again, we have more than enough people who want to keep the traditional music that something like G&P wouldn’t even be considered. Sorry to hear that, Phemie.

 

[Guitar]

for those of us more ignorant than others could we get the link to the distressing wording of carey landry so we know why we should run when we hear this name.

It isn’t just the wording. Landry’s tunes are maybe OK for early primary school children in the classroom, and he is a “four-chord wonder”, which I suppose overqualifies him for some jobs. (He often adds the major chord on the flattened seventh to the usual I IV and V.) Not that there is anything necessarily wrong with such music when used in an appropriate context e.g. a classroom where a teacher with rudimentary music skills can accompany singing. But it doesn’t hold up at Mass IMO.

(I don’t mean to imply that good music must be complicated or show off an in-depth knowledge of harmonic theory yada yada, BTW. Some music is simple by clever design, but some is simple because the composer has minimal musical skills and limited creativity.)

 

[agapewolf]

I
My kids always say that one particular song reminds them of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. No one ever said that of Mozart or Bach.

OH YES They have

Mozart and Bach have such greatness and catchiness that there songs are “timeless”. Which means they are used constantly today in jazz tunes, commercials, soundtracks, rock melody remakes, etc.

Although not the originator, Mozart wrote 12 variations on “twinkle twinkle little star”

 

[deSalingAway]

One of our favorite drinking songs is

*Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me

[BANG BANG BANG]*

bottles and mugs on the table.

I heard OCP = Our cr*ppy press

 

[anamchara]

Always run when you hear his name. He’s the composer/lyricist of “Hail Mary/Gentle Woman”. [Edited by Moderator]

As for his Gloria, I don’t want to copy too much from the Adoremus site but they analyze it here.

I love “Hail Mary/Gentle Women” My husband sings that with the guitar in our Church. It’s a beautiful song. I’m hoping my daughter will sing it with him next time.

I can understand people not liking certain music but why make fun of it or belittle it? Not saying you are doing that but I see a lot of that on these forums.

 

[Gertabelle]

:harp:
Catholics have 2000 years of musical heritage. Some of the greatest works ever composed have been commissioned for the Church for use in the liturgy.

I’ve be able to visit many Catholic churches both locally and around the country and I hear basically the same tired, overplayed songs and mass settings. I know there is other music out there.
:banghead:

I am suggesting that certian music be “retired” or put on the shelf for a bit, to allow us to explore the rich diversity and beauty of Catholic music.

Is this how it is in the majority of parishes? Fortunately my music director actually does his homework and chooses music based on season/scripture reading/feast day.

Here is a start to my list. Feel free to add to it.

1. Mass of Creation. (A beautiful work, but used too much.)
2. You Are Mine
3. One Bread, One Body
4. Hear I Am, Lord
5. Gather Us In

I have certain songs that I absolutely despise, but I know that some people are moved to worship God through these same hymns. Short of the lyrics being heretical, I cannot judge what will lead another soul to Christ, even within the solemnity of the mass.

That being said, my local parish has five or six masses each weekend, and for some reason every music group uses the same, dreadful, contemporary Christian worship music for every mass (and this is totally my own experience of the music’s quality!). The sound system blares the music so that my four-year-old is covering his ears during the songs. Many people in the parish seems quite uplifted by the music. Perhaps it’s my music snobbery (I have a bachelor of music degree), but I hate it.

I would just like to hear a little more substance in the lyrics and beauty in the leading of the music on the rare occasions we have to attend this parish.

My short answer to your question: if it’s heretical, get rid of it. Otherwise pray for and perhaps become part of the music ministry of your parish.

God bless y’all.
Gertie

 

[pnewton]

I love “Hail Mary/Gentle Women” My husband sings that with the guitar in our Church. It’s a beautiful song. I’m hoping my daughter will sing it with him next time.

Ditto. It is a beautiful song. I still have no doubt that some will even complain about the words to “Hail Mary.”

 

[benedictgal]

Ditto. It is a beautiful song. I still have no doubt that some will even complain about the words to “Hail Mary.”

When my mother died, the pastor offered to have the cantor sing “Hail Mary/Gentle Woman”. I told him absolutely not, over my (and my mother’s) dead body. Obviously the text comes from the Ave Maria; but, all that other stuff the composer tacked on is something from that dreadful 1970s junk that keeps regurgitating itself. I also nixed that hymn when my beloved paternal grandmother died. I fought for and got the Salve Regina as the recessional.

[Edited by Moderator]

 

[pnewton]

Having read Phemie’s backstory account regarding the song, my gut feeling has been soundly confirmed.

What backstory are you referring to?