SPLIT: Mass settings/music for the new Mass liturgy

[benedictgal]

Really, Advent 2011 will come pretty quickly. Now that the translation has finally been given the go-ahead, publishers can move forward with producing the texts. More than simply the missalettes, each parish will need a new Missal (AKA Sacramentary).

I’m very excited about the new translation, but I’m not at all disappointed by the implementation date. It gives time for catechesis to happen. The last thing we want to have happen is to have everyone show up for Mass one week with little paper leaflets on each pew letting everyone know what the new responses are.

Plus, we have to give the musicians time to compose new Mass parts.

I think that the whole process in itself is a great teaching moment. Look at the time and though put into every last word of this new translation. The ICEL drafted it according to the guidelines set forth by the Holy See. Next, each local bishop’s conference had the opportunity to review it, make suggestions, and finally approve it. Finally, the Holy See had to give the good ol’ recognitio. All this time and effort just to adjust the language.

This is how these things are to be done. It is not up to each individual to decide that they want to say “It is right to give God thanks and praise.” The words we use are important. The translation is arrived at through a process undergone by the proper channels. It is not up to the whim of every parish liturgist or Catholic in the pew (or even priests and individual bishops) to decide they want to tweak the words here and there because of personal fancy.

Thankfully, even the popular composers recognize that with this translation, they cannot mess with the words. Thanks be to God!

Joe, the composers have had these translations in their hands for the past two years, so, they have had ample time to write new settings. In fact, that is why the Ordinary was released back in 2008 precisely to give both the composers and the faithful time to look at these changes. Furthermore, when the CDWDS released the Ordinary back in 2008, the prefect at the time, Francis Cardinal Arinze, reiterated the fact that the new settings had to match up to the translations word-for-word and not be paraphrases.

By the way, I think that Schutte’s setting still toys around with the Agnus Dei (either Schutte’s or Haas’, but, one of them is still adding language).

 

[Corki]

Thankfully, even the popular composers recognize that with this translation, they cannot mess with the words. Thanks be to God!

This assertion has been repeated here on CAF many times. The “popular composers” have not abided by the existing directives regarding Mass settings, why do we think all of a sudden they will decide to be obedient to Mother Church? Schutte is an ex-priest, listed in some places as “partnered” with a man, Haugen is not even Catholic (he’s UCC) and writes for the money for us and the Lutheran Church. What is their motivation for following the direction of the Church in this area?

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Amazing Grace. Catholics singing a song that echoes Calvin’s total human depravity talk. Doesn’t make sense to me but knock yourself out! Concupiscence or “wretch?” You make the call!

LOL! Ok, I was raised on communion in the hand, and sticking out my tongue always seemed rude. But understand the reasoning.

I am easily persieved very rude, I never hold hands… or throw them in the air. I only have the priest bless my kiddos.

And, I LOVE Amazing Grace… and don’t think of it as cheesy… Just for you, my favorite version… youtube.com/watch?v=GYMLMj-SibU Why is it cheesy?? I always find myself WISHING the music was written in a different key… My voice is caught in the middle all the time. Either too low, or too high… and no one sounds good. I need voice training to find the right pitch.

I was actually wondering about some of these too!

 

[Joe_5859]

Joe, the composers have had these translations in their hands for the past two years, so, they have had ample time to write new settings. In fact, that is why the Ordinary was released back in 2008 precisely to give both the composers and the faithful time to look at these changes. Furthermore, when the CDWDS released the Ordinary back in 2008, the prefect at the time, Francis Cardinal Arinze, reiterated the fact that the new settings had to match up to the translations word-for-word and not be paraphrases.

By the way, I think that Schutte’s setting still toys around with the Agnus Dei (either Schutte’s or Haas’, but, one of them is still adding language).

That’s true. I guess I was thinking they might hold off on composing until they were sure nothing else was going to change. But I’m sure they couldn’t resist getting a head start.

That’s unfortunate about them still adding language. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, though…

 

[Joe_5859]

This assertion has been repeated here on CAF many times. The “popular composers” have not abided by the existing directives regarding Mass settings, why do we think all of a sudden they will decide to be obedient to Mother Church? Schutte is an ex-priest, listed in some places as “partnered” with a man, Haugen is not even Catholic (he’s UCC) and writes for the money for us and the Lutheran Church. What is their motivation for following the direction of the Church in this area?

Yes, perhaps I am being naïvely optimistic in that regard. A guy can dream…

 

[Jean_Anthony]

aaa

 

[benedictgal]

I don’t know if anyone has checked these out, but, here are ICEL’s musical settings for the new translations. At least with ICEL, you don’t have to worry about data integrity issues:

icelweb.org/musicfolder/openmusic.php

The Gloria is straight-through and the music is easy to sing for not only this prayer, but, for the rest of the Ordinary of the Mass.

 

[Erich]

Joe, the composers have had these translations in their hands for the past two years, so, they have had ample time to write new settings.

From Music For Mass

The Lyric Mass Suite is an ongoing work in progress. It is a suite, or collection, of interconnected musical settings of the English Mass texts, for a congregation, with optional SAB vocal ensemble. Most of these settings were conceived with modular melodic motifs which at most require only minor re-sequencing to be able to support both the approved 1973 ICEL text and the newly approved 2008 ICEL text. The versions published here are strictly limited to only the USCCB approved music settings of the 1973 ICEL texts. When approved by the USCCB, the other versions of the same musical settings set to the new 2008 texts will also be available here.

 

[benedictgal]

From Music For Mass

The Lyric Mass Suite is an ongoing work in progress. It is a suite, or collection, of interconnected musical settings of the English Mass texts, for a congregation, with optional SAB vocal ensemble. Most of these settings were conceived with modular melodic motifs which at most require only minor re-sequencing to be able to support both the approved 1973 ICEL text and the newly approved 2008 ICEL text. The versions published here are strictly limited to only the USCCB approved music settings of the 1973 ICEL texts. When approved by the USCCB, the other versions of the same musical settings set to the new 2008 texts will also be available here.

The Ordinary of the Mass, however, was the first section to receive recognitio from the Holy See back in 2008. The reason why the USCCB released this first was because it was supposed to give composers and the faithful ample time to review these settings.

 

[SimonDodd]

There are some promising signs for new music. I’m rather taken with Lisa Stafford’s Mass of Grace (soundclips here); it has been passed to our parish music director. I’m hopeful that Haas’ especially noxious Mass for the Life of the World will be a casualty of the new translation.

 

[challam2010]

Besides the fact that contemporary composers (like Dan Schutte) write music for adoration and edification according to their own inspiration, they also support themselves and their ongoing work by their efforts – and that’s the motivation to comply with the new translation.

I’d be very, very surprised if someone had not been touched in a positive way by Schutte’s music over the years – even if that person is not a fan of contemporary music or has negative feelings about his personal life. You can’t deny that his lyrics are scriptural and his message in accordance with love for God and others.

He has apparently prepared a new Mass in accordance with the new translation.
danschutte.com/
I, for one, am looking forward to hearing it.

 

[Joe_5859]

Thanks for the split!

I don’t know if anyone has checked these out, but, here are ICEL’s musical settings for the new translations. At least with ICEL, you don’t have to worry about data integrity issues:

icelweb.org/musicfolder/openmusic.php

The Gloria is straight-through and the music is easy to sing for not only this prayer, but, for the rest of the Ordinary of the Mass.

Thanks for that link and for spreading the word! It would be nice to see this widespread. I will try to do my part.

 

[benedictgal]

Besides the fact that contemporary composers (like Dan Schutte) write music for adoration and edification according to their own inspiration, they also support themselves and their ongoing work by their efforts – and that’s the motivation to comply with the new translation.

I’d be very, very surprised if someone had not been touched in a positive way by Schutte’s music over the years – even if that person is not a fan of contemporary music or has negative feelings about his personal life. You can’t deny that his lyrics are scriptural and his message in accordance with love for God and others.

He has apparently prepared a new Mass in accordance with the new translation.
danschutte.com/
I, for one, am looking forward to hearing it.

I wish I could concur with your assessment, but, having heard his new Mass setting for the Agnus Dei, I cannot endorse his work. He took excessive liberties with the text. It just goes to show that OCP really has not quality control issues. Cardinal Arinze’s letter made it quite clear, in fact, Liturgiam Authenticam and RS both drove the same point home, that the texts needed to match what is in the Roman Missal.

 

[Corki]

Besides the fact that contemporary composers (like Dan Schutte) write music for adoration and edification according to their own inspiration, they also support themselves and their ongoing work by their efforts – and that’s the motivation to comply with the new translation.

I’d be very, very surprised if someone had not been touched in a positive way by Schutte’s music over the years – even if that person is not a fan of contemporary music or has negative feelings about his personal life. You can’t deny that his lyrics are scriptural and his message in accordance with love for God and others.

He has apparently prepared a new Mass in accordance with the new translation.
danschutte.com/
I, for one, am looking forward to hearing it.

I enjoy Dan Schutte’s music and even have a CD that I listen to in my car. That being said, most of his praise and worship music is awkward at best in a Mass.

We will have to wait and see if his faithfulness to the new translation is as good (not) as his faithfullness to the current translation.

 

[SimonDodd]

I wish I could concur with your assessment, but, having heard his new Mass setting for the Agnus Dei, I cannot endorse his work. He took excessive liberties with the text. It just goes to show that OCP really has not quality control issues. Cardinal Arinze’s letter made it quite clear, in fact, Liturgiam Authenticam and RS both drove the same point home, that the texts needed to match what is in the Roman Missal.

They wouldn’t do it if parishes wouldn’t buy it. There’s a cooperation issue here.

 

[benedictgal]

They wouldn’t do it if parishes wouldn’t buy it. There’s a cooperation issue here.

Actually, it’s clever marketing on the part of OCP. They throw in a limited amount of good with a lot of bad and they wrap it up in a convenient little package. I hate to say it, but, it’s almost as though they are paying limited lip service to the new translations, Liturgiam Authenticam and RS, but, they are still managing to do their own thing. What part of “no” do the composers and OCP not understand?

 

[HCC]

Is it true what they say? 1970s Jesuits-meet-the-Carpenters music is out? No more “Taste N See?” No more sailing on “Eagles Wings?” Can it be? Can it really, truly be?

 

[MarkThompson]

Is it true what they say? 1970s Jesuits-meet-the-Carpenters music is out? No more “Taste N See?” No more sailing on “Eagles Wings?” Can it be? Can it really, truly be?

All of those songs will be just as fine under the new translation as under the current one. (So, if you think they’re currently forbidden, you can continue to think that in the future; and if not, there’s no basis for changing your view.) The new translations have nothing to do with hymns (except inasmuch as you consider the Gloria or Sanctus a hymn, of course).

 

[Corki]

They wouldn’t do it if parishes wouldn’t buy it. There’s a cooperation issue here.

It’s not that simple. OCP and the others hold the copyrights quite tightly. If you only need music for a choir, you can buy sheet music and only buy the “good stuff”. But very few parishes would be well served to have songs only sung by the choir so we need hymnals. The hymnals are a hodgepodge of good, ok and downright heretical. Likewise the weekly suggestions. Some music leaders have the training and dedication to sift through. Other’s trust too much in what is packaged and given to them.

Sometimes the choice of hynmal is the lesser of two (or three) evils.

 

[SimonDodd]

But very few parishes would be well served to have songs only sung by the choir so we need hymnals.

I suspect that most parishes would be exceedingly well-served to be liberated from the obligation to sing any hymns that are still within copyright. Truly, what would be lost? Most recent—i.e. “last seventy years”— hymnody is quite awful. What parish would be ill-served in dispensing with “You are mine” and “Here I am, Lord” or in favor of “Hail redeemer king divine” or “All creatures of our God and King”?