Question about Mass Preludes/Postludes

[Cat]

I have a question about Mass preludes and postludes, and I would appreciate opinions and suggestions from orthodox Catholics who are both very traditional in their outlook and also those who are more “modern” in their outlook. (I would be the more “modern” outlook, as I am a convert to Catholicism from evangelical Protestantism.)

As many of you know, I am a pianist and I often play for OF Masses in my parish and other parishes. We have a severe shortage of keyboardists, especially organists, in our city (pop. 150,000), so the piano is used in many parishes for Masses.

(There is a TLM parish in our city, but they have a regular organist who plays the pipe organ in that parish, and also conducts the schola.)

The Masses in our diocese are liturgically-correct and reverent. If there are abuses or even irregularities, our bishop is on it like a fly on a Snickers bar.

There is a minimum of talking before and after Masses in the parishes in our city. People greet each other, but I usually don’t hear a lot of chit-chat. Before Mass, people usually come in and kneel to pray, and then sit silently waiting for the Mass. After Mass, people proceed out of the nave into the lobby or into the parking lot before beginning conversations. The priests in our parish usually head outside and greet people outside the church doors (weather permitting), and I think this helps people to get out of the church building before chit chatting.

Now that you have this background information, I will continue with my question.

In ordinary time, we are allowed to play a prelude and/or a postlude for Mass.

I prefer to play both, not because I’m a showoff or looking for compliments, but because I think it is proper. Many people are helped in their worship by hearing beautiful music.

However, I have become more aware (because of CAF) of the desire of many people to pray either before Mass, after Mass, or both.

So that creates a dilemma. How can I play preludes and postludes without disturbing these people?

I generally play quiet, meditative preludes that I hope will soothe people and help them to make the transition from busy life into the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and the mysteries of the Mass.

I generally play lively, spectacular postludes that will help people to make the transition from the peaceful and heavenly atmosphere of the Mass back into the busy-ness and frustrations of their everyday lives. (In other words, “marching music!”)

I realize that those who remain after Mass to pray might be put off by these postludes, but I never make them last more than a minute or two.

I’m also very careful to not “noodle” during the actual Mass. I realize that a lot of organists and pianists play on during the Communion, but I don’t do this. When the Communion hymn is finished, I’m finished playing. I like the silence, and I think others do, too. At any rate, I don’t think it harms anyone to sit in silence after the Communion.
This gives people time to pray and meditate on the Lord after receiving Him in Holy Communion.

So what say you? Does my approach seem reasonable? How do you like preludes and postludes to be done?

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut, and be assured that I will take everyone’s comments seriously. I believe that my music is a service to the Lord and His people, and I want to perform that service to the best of my ability, in such a way that enhances the worship at Mass, and doesn’t detract.

 

[MusicMan]

I see no issue with a joyful, appropriate, bombastic, or any other “positive” adjective postlude.

As for preludes, I see a few options:

10 minutes of soft, meditative prelude music that allows people to pray silently and not be disturbed, followed by 5 minutes of silence prior to Mass.

Or

One, strong prelude immediately prior to the entrance procession to signal that Mass is about to begin. Those who wish to pray in silence have had their chance. Those who arrive 90 seconds before Mass begins who wish to pray should attempt to be earlier.

 

[TheDoctor]

Cat - I believe that your playing as described is horrid and an abuse that should not be tolerated. In order not to have your parishoners endure this another minute, please pack up your things and immediately relocate to Philadelphia where we will take this burden unto ourselves by having you play at all or our Masses.

P.S. - As someone who is not musically gifted may I say you my dear are a gem for putting so much thought into what is obviously not just a job for you and I cannot imagine anyone complaining. If your Pastor does not have a problem and your conscience does now have an issue with it, you are fine.

 

[Sarabande]

Hi Cat - I think your approach is very reasonable and reverent. Most organists I know do what you do: peaceful, “soft”, meditative preludes and something either majestic or joyous as a postlude. Usually, they try to finish their preludes about 3 to 5 minutes before the mass begins so that there is a period of prayerful silence. Some don’t do that, but I do prefer a little bit silence right before mass begins.

In regards to the postludes, they usually aren’t that long and the ones who will be staying there to pray are usually in the church long after the postlude ends. I personally find music very conducive to my prayer, but I realize others don’t.

At the same time, as I know you well know, we musicians can’t please everyone. We’re either too polished, too well-trained, too untrained, too contemporary, too classical, too reverent (yes, I’ve heard people complain about organists/cantors being too reverent and not extroverted enough to “enliven the congregation”), too irreverent, etc. Based on what you described, I believe you are doing very well with how you are balancing all of this. Do the best that you can do.