Search found 554 matches

by nazard
Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:27 am
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Article in Catholic Herald
Replies: 14
Views: 8421

For some years now the Chaplaincies at Oxford and Cambridge have been pursuing a musical line I can only describe as exemplary. They provide a mix of music of all periods, from plainsong to modern. The standard of instrumental playing is excellent. They do seem to avoid the questionable end of moder...
by nazard
Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:01 am
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Migrant workers and music
Replies: 16
Views: 11785

Nick Baty wrote: (In other words, only use Latin if you have a group of ancient Romans passing through.)


Or perhaps a congregation of Roman Catholics permanently resident?
by nazard
Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:55 am
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Article in Catholic Herald
Replies: 14
Views: 8421

So do I. Let's hope its catching!
by nazard
Wed Feb 07, 2007 8:18 am
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: So why do we hate choirs then?
Replies: 36
Views: 22517

I feel that a degree of separateness is inevitable if the proper is to be sung, which is what the bishops have decided in the new GIRM. Unless we adopt some very simple system of chanting the proper, I doubt if we can ever teach congregations the two hundred or so pieces of music they would need to ...
by nazard
Mon Feb 05, 2007 1:06 pm
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Folk Group
Replies: 39
Views: 21824

If you do things properly, new organs are specified and designed to suit the building they are in. The final stage of building, called "voicing" actually adjusts each pipe to match the acoustic of the building. Such an organ can sound utterly thrilling. Not many catholic churches have an o...
by nazard
Fri Feb 02, 2007 12:59 pm
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Folk Group
Replies: 39
Views: 21824

I think that Quaeritor is right when he points out that the organ's advantage is that it has a good range of notes available and so can provide a good bass line. This does depend on the organist being able to pedal. Bass lines in hymns tend to leap about a lot, and if you have to use your little fin...
by nazard
Thu Feb 01, 2007 7:39 am
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: So why do we hate choirs then?
Replies: 36
Views: 22517

I wonder if the point is that mass with groaning and wailing is considerably less inspiring than mass with no attempt at music. There are some priests, some choirs and some music groups who should follow St Benedict's advice and cultivate silence.
by nazard
Wed Jan 31, 2007 7:33 am
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Folk Group
Replies: 39
Views: 21824

It might taste better if you use that hymnbook called "The Sauce".
by nazard
Tue Jan 30, 2007 8:02 am
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: So why do we hate choirs then?
Replies: 36
Views: 22517

Its my understanding that it is CTM, as the document from our own bishops to which we are bound rather than GIRM. I thought it was the other way round: CTM is guidance but GIRM is law. Perhaps someone can clarify what the true position is. I have read some of Deiss' books, but not the one you refer...
by nazard
Mon Jan 29, 2007 8:09 am
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Folk Group
Replies: 39
Views: 21824

Sorry, Quaeritor, I didn't mean to imply that we shouldn't use organs, gregorian chant and traditional hymns. I just don't use tradition as my argument. I like the organ for various reasons. It has a certain atmosphere and presence about it which lets you know you are in church. This may be only a f...
by nazard
Fri Jan 26, 2007 12:51 pm
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: So why do we hate choirs then?
Replies: 36
Views: 22517

Where I live it seems to be the "folk" group which is disliked, but it is difficult to gauge. There is no easy measure. Not that the choir is thought all that much better of. I think that it all really depends on standards of performance. No one wants to sit through a cacophony of any desc...
by nazard
Fri Jan 26, 2007 12:32 pm
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Folk Group
Replies: 39
Views: 21824

singing accompanied by organ is the "native" style of the celebration of the Mass in the Roman Rite. I think the native style for music is unison singing with no accompaniment, using the "Graduale Romanum" and similar volumes. All other music came along much later. Organs were p...
by nazard
Thu Jan 18, 2007 8:52 am
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Folk Group
Replies: 39
Views: 21824

I have a feeling that this thread is probably a reaction to a comment I made in another thread. I did not mean to offend anyone by that comment, so if anyone is offended please accept my apology. "Folk Group" has become the term in widespread use to refer to any group of musicians who do n...
by nazard
Fri Jan 12, 2007 7:56 am
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Proclamation of the date of Easter
Replies: 16
Views: 9850

Gwyn wrote:little hatted old ladies playing on manuals alone are seldom more than one parish away, :roll: maybe I'm one of 'em?


Surely if you were you would be Gwen? Enw gwrwaidd yw "Gwyn."
by nazard
Wed Jan 10, 2007 12:14 pm
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Imprimatur
Replies: 7
Views: 5521

Yes, decetism seems pretty apt, and as for His wings, I know of no scriptural reference. Mind you, there are plenty of other references in popular rhymes and art to things that aren't in scripture. Carols are pretty bad, eg the three kings has no basis for either the three or the kings. Paintings ar...