Society of Saint Gregory

It seems a great pity to resort to psalm tones for a rite where the music and actions are so intimately connected. Critics of liturgical change often point the finger at the perceived simplicity of some of the music to which it has given rise. Are psalm tones (as an alternative to the proper chants)...

As far as I know everything is sung as at a Solemn Mass, but the ceremonial is simpler with fewer ministers- no deacon/subdeacon etc. So yes, the proper must be sung along with the priest's part. One looks forward with bated breath to EF communities tackling the propers from the Liber on a weekly ba...

In example 1, is there an organist to play either sort of instrument? Should that be a consideration. In a declining parish in a deprived area, where should over all priorities lie, given that we also worship God in the way we live our lives.
Alan

Without wishing to throw buckets of cold water over this thread, does anyone else feel that if a christian community has large amounts of money available, then perhaps they should be studying the parable of the sheep and goats before making spending decisions?
Alan

I have seen recent sermons and speeches by Francis Cardinal Arinze where he says that a good quality digital substitute for a pipe organ is acceptable, and he ought to know. On the other hand, I have not seen a formal statement of this. For myself, I would prefer a real organ, if anyone wants to or...

Totally agree with two provisos.
the first is that pipe organs take up a great deal of space which is often not there in post-victorian buildings. The second is that there are very few parishes willing to spend any money at all on music, so even a £500 digi piano is a wish too far.
Alan

I have seen recent sermons and speeches by Francis Cardinal Arinze where he says that a good quality digital substitute for a pipe organ is acceptable, and he ought to know. On the other hand, I have not seen a formal statement of this. For myself, I would prefer a real organ, if anyone wants to or...

They seem to be making it up as they go along in order to force through their personal view of what liturgy should be, don't they.
Alan

The last parish I played in had an Allen digital organ which "spoke" through 4 speakers the size of fridges. These were placed behind the altar screen. It was a truly fabulous instrument that was happy at the usual Bach and Widor and superb at accompanying. Proper draw-stops etc. The paris...

Just typing while I think. Horses for courses - there are those who see liturgical music as being a part of a classical tradition, and there are others who see it as more a part of popular culture (broadly.) Sometimes that is reflection of their own musical likes and dislikes dressed up in their sun...

He has a unique status by virtue both of being the one who preached about the arrival of Jesus and baptised him, and also because he is a blood relative of Jesus. As a link between the old and new covenants, he is a very important person indeed.
Alan

Has the death of Mary Berry been mentioned here?
A remarkable musician indeed.
Alan
(Mod - feel free to delete if I have missed something.)

Are you talking about contemporary in style? An awful lot of modern church music is still stuck somewhere in the comfortable 19th century in terms of harmony, melody and rhythm (be it organ based or guitar based.) Sometimes a proficient organist will play something a bit spikey and exciting, but we ...

If it is necessary to reverse the musical/liturgical intention by having the congregation sing the psalm and the choir sing the response (antiphon) perhaps we should draw conclusions about the suitability of "proper" plainsong for parishes. Does having the people sing the odd "amen&qu...

Another interesting question is what actually qualifies as chant? Personally I would not accept Credo 3 or Missa de Angelis as chant - not properly modal and much too late. Whereas I suspect that for some, these are the measure of all liturgical music. I look forward to the "choir" of St W...