What type(s) of Catholic music attract you?

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snarflemike

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Please note, I am NOT asking what is or is not appropriate for Mass, just what attracts you.

For me, I was brought back to the Church, after decades in the wilderness, via chant and polyphony, and I despise 95% of everything OCP publishes. YMMV.
 
I pretty much like everything if it’s performed skillfully, or at least competently. The only thing that turns me off somewhat is a pre-recorded backing track. I’d rather hear a capella than that.

When the people playing the music aren’t very good at their instruments, or are out of tune, or not coordinated with each other, etc I offer it up.
When there is a pre-recorded backing track, I offer it up.
 
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I like a lot of stuff, as long as it’s decent. I love good chant and polyphony. As far as instruments used, I’m and organ guy through and through, though orchestra and strings can be quite nice. Everything else, I’m not too big on. For example, while I love the piano, I’m not a huge fan of using it in the Liturgy.

However, my favorite musical era by far is the late romantic/early modern period. So my absolute favorite Catholic music is the work of Vierne, Durufle, and Faure. Unfortunately, I have not had the pleasure to hear their music during the Mass, probably due to the fact that most of it is impossibly difficult for the average parish to implement.
 
One of the first pieces of Catholic choral music I ever listened to was Durufle’s “Ubi Caritas”. My wife, an early musician and choir director, introduced me to it, and I loved it. When we got married she had “Deus Ibi Est” inscribed inside my ring.
 
Just had my first experience with the Ignatius Pew Missal yesterday. Wonderful hymnody!
 
I do like chant, organ, classics. I always did like them, even when I was a tiny child. I’m a quiet person and I like meditative music.

But just because I might not like something, or not like it that much, doesn’t mean it might not be good music.

The only thing that worries me about these kinds of threads is that sooner or later people often start accusing, or are accused by another, of being snobby, elitist, conservative, liberal, hillbilly, medieval, and above all, ‘intolerant of others’.

Some people love mariachi, it’s either their heritage, they associate it with good things, they just find it attractive. And that’s great.

Some people like the melodies they grew up with. That’s great (and yes, I mean even if the melodies themselves were less than stellar. What makes some person wince at its banality might be another person’s moment of epiphany.)

Some like loud, some quiet, some Latin, some ‘vernacular’, some ‘simple’, some 'complex". . .

If this thread is one of the rare jewels where each person’s view is treated as equally valued, helpful, informative, and enjoyable. . .

that would be wonderful!
 
snarflemike said:
One of the first pieces of Catholic choral music I ever listened to was Durufle’s “Ubi Caritas”. My wife, an early musician and choir director, introduced me to it, and I loved it. When we got married she had “Deus Ibi Est” inscribed inside my ring.
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You’re very lucky to have a wife who has such good taste in music! “Ubi Caritas” is great. My favorite work of Durufle’s is his masterful (and underrated) Requiem. I hope some day to have it played at my funeral.
 
Baroque and early Classical music. I just love the melismas. There was a lot of variety too, like the Psalms and parts of the Divine Office. One of my favorite formats are the religious stories set to music, its almost like a play.
 
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I enjoy both contemporary AND traditional Catholic Music. Both have their perks.
 
We are friends with a rather well-known priest (I won’t drop names) who has put in writing that he wants my wife to direct the music at his funeral.

She says that if she was stranded on an island with one piece of music, she would choose the Monteverdi Vespers of 1610.
 
On the flip side, one type of music that definitely does not attract me is praise and worship. I’ve just never understood the appeal. I know people who break down in tears when they listen to it. But if they are attracted to it and find it prayerful, good for them.

That is not a comment on whether P&W is appropriate or inappropriate for Mass, but just my own personal experience with this type of music.
 
stpurl said:
The only thing that worries me about these kinds of threads is that sooner or later people often start accusing, or are accused by another, of being snobby, elitist, conservative, liberal, hillbilly, medieval, and above all, ‘intolerant of others’.
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I forbid any such comments. 🙂
 
I was a choral student for more than 6 years and I’ve done a lot of choral pieces that were predominantly Catholic.

Some of my favourites are “The Ground” (Agnus Dei) and “Tota Pulchra Es” by Ola Gjeilo.

I also really love Gregorian chants.
The Miserere by Allergri is also really beautiful.
 
Land of Hope and Glory by Edward Elgar

Believe by Savatage thanks to Paul O’Neill

Blessed are you Lord God of all Creation by Aniceto Nazareth

and

Douglas Mews mass setting
 
I guess I have a soft spot for hymns. Good, traditional, Catholic hymns with meaningful and solidly orthodox lyrics. I grew up with hymns, so I’m most used to them, but they weren’t all so great. So when I heard the more traditional and Catholic ones, they really made an impression on me. Some examples are “O Sacred Head Surrounded,” “Holy God We Praise Thy Name,” and “To Jesus Christ Our Sovereign King.” And there are others that I like, like “I Am The Bread Of Life” (preferably the non-PC lyrics).

I do like chant also, but especially simpler chants where all the words can be more easily understood.
 
I love “I am the Lord of the Dance” and “On Eagle’s Wings.” I’m also a huge fan of praise and worship… if there isn’t an electric guitar and a drum set present, I’ll walk out of Mass.

Just kidding. ;). Just want to get a rise. Polyphony and Chant… plainchant in the vernacular is common around here and I much appreciate it.
 
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