Mass Settings

[WanderAimlessly]

One thing I like about my current parish is that, for the most part, we use Chant (two different types in Latin) for the Ordinary Form Mass. We do have the occasional setting in English that uses a very traditional type music, but that is only about 10% of the time at most. The use of Chant is one of the reasons I joined this parish.

In addition, the parish does use some of the Classical Orchestral Masses (i.e. they will be using Beethoven’s Mass in Major at 3 Masses during the Christmas Octave)

Tonight at the Christmas Vigil Mass, we used a Mass Setting called Missa Amor Dei by J.J. McGrath. It was Latin, but more elaborate “Classical” type of setting geared towards the use of a Choir.

I am wondering what peoples preferences are in the Mass Settings. I have heard a wide variety (including one that completely destroyed parts of the Mass and one that the melody sounded like it belonged in a 1920’s speakeasy).

 

[ChemicalBean]

My personal favorites are pretty common but I like them if done well, with the right instrumentation, trained choir, and correct musical style:

Mass of Glory, Bob Hurd and Ken Kanedo. A swung gospel-style setting, best with piano, bass, drums, and a choir that can dare to sing in a not-all-white-straightlaced way.

Mass of a Joyful Heart, Steve Angrisano. A moderately-slow popular rock setting, better with piano, guitar, bass, drums. Horrible with organ or a cappella; it’s very syncopated.

Mass of Light, David Haas. Mostly it’s all about the Gloria. The rest of the music is kind of lame and has too many high jumps, but it’s tolerable if not accompanied by a nun armed with a guitar.

St. Louis Jesuit’s Mass. I haven’t heard it recently, probably because it got overplayed, but I learned it in my early childhood and still love it. I’d love to hear it in a big open church with a full-powered pipe organ and choir belt out the harmonies.

 

[THurifer2]

My personal favorites are pretty common but I like them if done well, with the right instrumentation, trained choir, and correct musical style:

Mass of Glory, Bob Hurd and Ken Kanedo. A swung gospel-style setting, best with piano, bass, drums, and a choir that can dare to sing in a not-all-white-straightlaced way.

Mass of a Joyful Heart, Steve Angrisano. A moderately-slow popular rock setting, better with piano, guitar, bass, drums. Horrible with organ or a cappella; it’s very syncopated.

Mass of Light, David Haas. Mostly it’s all about the Gloria. The rest of the music is kind of lame and has too many high jumps, but it’s tolerable if not accompanied by a nun armed with a guitar.

St. Louis Jesuit’s Mass. I haven’t heard it recently, probably because it got overplayed, but I learned it in my early childhood and still love it. I’d love to hear it in a big open church with a full-powered pipe organ and choir belt out the harmonies.

I believe it is Ken Canedo with a C.

Like the last one…However evidenced by the Holy Father’s recent comments regarding sacred music…David Haas may soon be unemployed and most of his music thrown into a garbage can. Looks like his music is approaching its twilight.

 

[puzzleannie]

One thing I like about my current parish is that, for the most part, we use Chant (two different types in Latin) for the Ordinary Form Mass. We do have the occasional setting in English that uses a very traditional type music, but that is only about 10% of the time at most. The use of Chant is one of the reasons I joined this parish.

In addition, the parish does use some of the Classical Orchestral Masses (i.e. they will be using Beethoven’s Mass in Major at 3 Masses during the Christmas Octave)
).

very lucky parish to have this talent to draw on in making your liturgy to beautiful and reverent

my favorite setting is the one the music leaders and people can sing properly, and in my experience it is rare that a parish that relies soley on amateur talent and does not pay a qualified music director will have the luxury of good music, good chant, good singing, and good instruction for choir and people.

 

[WanderAimlessly]

my favorite setting is the one the music leaders and people can sing properly, and in my experience it is rare that a parish that relies soley on amateur talent and does not pay a qualified music director will have the luxury of good music, good chant, good singing, and good instruction for choir and people.

That is why I like Chant. Although it can get elaborate at time, it is very simplistic. It is also in my range which is Bass/Baritone so I can sing it. Even the English setting they use, I know the Bass/Baritone part so I can sing it.