Practical Reasons Support Use of Organ in Mass

[ProVobis]

Midi files (for entire pieces)are not permitted in Mass though…

Doesn’t matter. When people realize it’s much easier programming a piece into a musical instrument, including a real pipe organ, fewer of them will be looking at spending $ into music lessons on playing them. At least that’s my theory for why fewer people are into it these days.

 

[pianistclare]

Doesn’t matter. When people realize it’s much easier programming a piece into a musical instrument, including a real pipe organ, fewer of them will be looking at spending $ into music lessons on playing them. At least that’s my theory for why fewer people are into it these days.

It doesn’t matter what people think.
Priests will not allow it. Period.

 

[ProVobis]

It doesn’t matter what people think.
Priests will not allow it. Period.

But aren’t there a lot of aspiring organists in Protestant churches, if not more so?

 

[pianistclare]

But aren’t there a lot of aspiring organists in Protestant churches, if not more so?

I have no idea. I don’t go there.
I would think not. They tend to go with Praise and Worship music, more of a soft rock style of musicianship. Even the traditional Southern Gospel churches use full orchestras and pianos. African American Baptist churches around here use electric organs for a particular Gospel sound.
They do used canned organ music at funeral homes though, if that’s what you mean.

 

[Edmundus1581]

I have no idea. I don’t go there.
I would think not. They tend to go with Praise and Worship music, more of a soft rock style of musicianship. Even the traditional Southern Gospel churches use full orchestras and pianos. African American Baptist churches around here use electric organs for a particular Gospel sound.
They do used canned organ music at funeral homes though, if that’s what you mean.

That’s my observation of Protestant churches also.

From what I’ve seen, many Protestants of my generation (baby boomers) grew up with organ music and prefer it, but are finding that the organs and organists are disappearing, and being replaced by Praise and Worship music. They have trouble getting any funding for organs and organists.

My own love of good church music began as a boy in High Church Anglican parishes in the 1960’s, with pipe organs and the very best of the Anglican musical tradition. I had the great privilege of singing as a soprano in an SATB choir, which was so traditional it was even all male!

 

[ProVobis]

From what I’ve seen, many Protestants of my generation (baby boomers) grew up with organ music and prefer it, but are finding that the organs and organists are disappearing, and being replaced by Praise and Worship music. They have trouble getting any funding for organs and organists.

Interestingly enough, during the year 1985, I seem to recall a lot of Protestant churches holding recitals in honor of J.S. Bach, supposedly the organist of all time. (It was his 300th yr anniversary.) I attended many of these recitals. Then the interest seemed to have waned until one year I noticed I was the only attendee at the opening of an organ marathon sponsored by an Episcopal church. You probably won’t find many of these organ recitals anymore in Protestant or Catholic churches.

 

[Edmundus1581]

Interestingly enough, during the year 1985, I seem to recall a lot of Protestant churches holding recitals in honor of J.S. Bach, supposedly the organist of all time. (It was his 300th yr anniversary.) I attended many of these recitals. Then the interest seemed to have waned until one year I noticed I was the only attendee at the opening of an organ marathon sponsored by an Episcopal church. You probably won’t find many of these organ recitals anymore in Protestant or Catholic churches.

One of my most memorable concert experiences was an organ recital in 1984, at one of Melbourne’s major classical venues. It was the Bach Toccata and Fugue.

Here in Adelaide I see one or two organ recitals advertised each year, but never go. I’ll take this as a reminder to get to one this year - while we still have them.