Liturgical music: what makes a hymn a hymn, and a song a song?

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that was the word I could not remember, gradual

also, antiphon or antiphonal
what is the difference between prelude and processional
does a processional or recessional imply organ only, or can they be sung
 
also, antiphon or antiphonal
what is the difference between prelude and processional
does a processional or recessional imply organ only, or can they be sung
An “antiphon” is something sung where there is a response. A psalm is typically an antiphon. You also hear it in Gregorian chant.

Antiphonal is something where there are two sets of choirs, alternating between phrases. Our choir has done antiphonal music which was extremely beautiful. Although it was a Catholic “thing”, now you mostly hear this music in high church Episcopal or Anglican services - especially during the psalms. The choirs are equally divided and are in the pews of either side of the “choir”. They then exchange the verses. It’s really beautiful - so much more than the typical responsorial psalm. Sounds like angels singing to each in praise of God.

Prelude music is music played prior to the processional and start of mass. It’s usually subdued or “quiet” kind of music.

Processional is the music that the priest processes into the Sanctuary. It can be a hymn, but it can also be an organ or other instrumental piece.

Recessional can also be an organ or hymn. We have a priest who prefers it to be done as an organ piece. When I’ve cantored those masses, it actually makes more sense, for me, to do it that way because of late, I’ve felt weird staying up in the Sancturary cantoring while the priest is gone. I’ve felt more respectful recessing out.
 
that was the word I could not remember, gradual

also, antiphon or antiphonal
An antiphon is a verse sung before (and often repeated after) a canticle or inserted like a chorus between verses of a Psalm.

“Antiphonal” is the mode of reciting or chanting Psalms/canticles back and forth alternatively across the Choir in a monastic setting from the Dean’s side to Cantor’s side of the choir. At the Church of the Advent (Episcopal) in Boston, the congregation does this, even observing the breath pause in the middle of each verse.
what is the difference between prelude and processional
does a processional or recessional imply organ only, or can they be sung
A prelude is a musical piece, most usually without voices but not necessarily without voices, played/sung before the beginning of the service, whether a Mass or other service. The congregation does not participate. It is before the procession – played while the people gather.

Processionals and recessionals are usually hymns, now generally known as “our gatherilng song” and “our sending song.” Y’know, the hymn we sing while the Priest and servers follow the crucifix up the aisle at the beginning and ditto at the other end on the way out.

The thing the organist or musicians play AFTER the recessional is called the Postlude. Get it? Prelude. Postlude.

LOL.
 
so if there’s a prelude and a postlude, is there a “lude?”
 
Gregiorian Chant and polyphony should be given pride of place in the Liturgy.
I’ve read something like this on this form probably 1000 times by now. And each time, all I can do is :rolleyes: because it just isn’t practiced in the “real” world.
 
Yup! That’s it! :bounce: You guys should hear me Chant the Italian take-out menu to the Gregorian Modus Peregrinus!
The proper names of various anatomical structures work pretty well to that, too. “superior tibialis et vastus lateralis…” 😉
 
I’ve read something like this on this form probably 1000 times by now. And each time, all I can do is :rolleyes: because it just isn’t practiced in the “real” world.
You just have to be in the right parish which is why I drive 25 miles one way and have done so for the last 25 years. My parish does indeed sing plainsong chant and the choir does indeed sing polyphony. Plus, I can name you at least five other parishes in our diocese which do the same.
 
The proper names of various anatomical structures work pretty well to that, too. “superior tibialis et vastus lateralis…” 😉
And then there is PDQ Bach’s “Missa Hilarious”. 😃
 
Its really not all that complicated. A song is anything with words and music, i.e. a “song” is anything that is “sung”. A hymn is more specifically a song in praise of God. Therefore, all “hymns” are “songs”, but not all “songs” are “hymns”.
 
You just have to be in the right parish which is why I drive 25 miles one way and have done so for the last 25 years. My parish does indeed sing plainsong chant and the choir does indeed sing polyphony. Plus, I can name you at least five other parishes in our diocese which do the same.
Yep. I am very blessed to live just 7 miles away from a parish which has TLM every Sunday with chant and polyphony, and 20 miles from another which has the same once a month. They even hand out a music supplement which has the Gregorian hymns, so we can sing along if we know how to read neumes (which I do 🙂 ). So it IS out there in the “real world;” you just have to know where to look and sometimes be willing to drive a ways if it’s that important to you. Before that, I would have to drive 50 miles one-way for such a Mass, so that didn’t happen very often. It was easier to subject myself to Haugen-Haas at the neighborhood parish church than to take the time to make the trip for the Latin Mass. 😊
 
“It was easier to subject myself to Haugen-Haas”

Sounds like a type of ice cream.

I see nothing wrong with the music of Marty Haugen or David Haas. The TLM is holy but so is the Novus Ordo. Traditional music of praise is nice but so is the more modern music. I have written and published both. I see nothing wrong with receiving communion in the hand or on the tongue. This is my opinion and you don’t have to agree with me. “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.”
 
I see nothing wrong with the music of Marty Haugen or David Haas. The TLM is holy but so is the Novus Ordo. Traditional music of praise is nice but so is the more modern music. I have written and published both. I see nothing wrong with receiving communion in the hand or on the tongue. This is my opinion and you don’t have to agree with me. “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.”
Let’s not start the “what’s wrong with Haugen-Haas” thing again – that topic has already been beaten to death on other threads. In my case, it’s a matter of personal taste rather than “right” or “wrong.” Chant, polyphony, and traditional hymns are sounds that are set apart from the rest of the world, and as such, bring me to a higher level of worship. I’m not going to hear anything sounding like Palestrina anywhere else in my life (unless they happen to be playing it on public radio). Maybe others find the pop-folk song style to be more meaningful to them because they can better relate to it, who knows? Whatever floats your boat, as long as it done reverently and doesn’t violate the GIRM. 🤷
 
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