Apr
14
Musical Observations and Suggestions
Filed Under Catholicism, Church Seasons, Eucharist, Franciscan University, Open Letter, Sacred Music | Leave a Comment
First of all, I am delighted and encouraged to be hearing more chant at Mass. What worries me, however, is that the chant was done during Lent as a way of “abstaining” from “better” types of music. As both of you know, Gregorian chant is a treasure of the Church. Furthermore, it is not an arbitrary treasure. St. Ambrose says: “The fundamental power, animating all music which is not made but which grew (as is the case with the folk-music), belongs pre-eminently to Gregorian chant.” These simple melodies are not diminished by their lack of harmony at all; they are extremely meaningful, not just for Lent but for every liturgical season of the Church:
“The hesitation and mysteriousness [of Gregorian Chant] happily express in church music the modesty and humility of the worshipper.”
(New Advent, “Ecclesiastical Music”)
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