Posted on 08/04/2009 2:02:02 PM PDT by markomalley
The publisher of those toe-curling classics, the “Israeli Mass” and the “Clap-Hands Gloria”, is one of many “liturgists” worried by ICEL’s suggestion that the new (better) English Mass should be accompanied by vernacular chant based on plainsong.
As the Tablet reports, clucking sympathetically:
UK music publisher Kevin Mayhew said his firm would be commissioning many new Masses, but said worshippers would take months to learn new settings, and felt sure that favourites such as the “Clap-Hands Gloria” and the “Israeli Mass” would remain in use.
Not so fast, Kevin. First, those two works are not “favourites”. They are LOATHED, especially by young people. Second, the Congregation for Divine Worship and ICEL will now have a policy of zero tolerance for liturgical settings that monkey around with the Ordinary of the Mass (as I seem to remember the “Israeli” excrescence does).
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.telegraph.co.uk ...
Yes it is. I’ll be really happy to get rid of what I call the Chuck Berry Mass. I have no idea what its official name is - it might be the clap-hands Gloria referenced in the article.
Vatican II said Gregorian Chant should have pride of place in the liturgy. Let’s just follow the real “spirit” of Vatican II!
The all-time most disturbingly inappropriate song is an English langauge Agnes Dei that sounds like a beer-drinking song (a bit like 99 bottles of beer on the wall).
Pride of place? - Yes.
Exclusivity? - No.
We must apply the actual words of the Council.
“...but said worshippers would take months to learn new settings...”
NONSENSE! First of all, have the choir learn it first if the parish is lucky enough to have one! Second, if our medieval ancestors could do it - and they did - then we can sing chant TOO.
What’s the difference between a terrorist and a “liturgist”?
You can negotiate with the terrorist.
One step in the right direction. Then maybe we can get some really beautiful Gregorian chants.
Or, I guess I should say,
The article did address the lock the guitar mafia has on the money making in Mass parts. With all luck there will be a semi-kabosh put on this and the dregs will fade away....
**lock the guitar mafia**
Yes, lock away the guitars. Back to the organ and if you don’t have an organ (Shame) a pianist will do, but away with the guitars!
I would be jubilant!
As AAM says above “Deo Gratias!:
Strange thing about musicianship in the Church - we are taught to develop our talents to the best of our abilities and to strive for excellence in all that we do. When that takes us to a professional level in classical music, we get smiles and "oh, that's nice" from both clergy and the guitar mafia and are forced to work in entertainment or the protestant churches just to make a living. And then, at least here, the other instruments brought in for Christmas and Easter aren't necessarily Catholic. Singers, OTOH, are expected to give their talent.
Doesn't say much about respect for music.
Hear! Hear! (I hope I never hear that awful Mass of Creation again.)
My husband is a classical guitarist, and our music director has invited him to do a prelude for Mass sometime. He hasn't taken him up on it yet -- he's from the shy side of the family, unlike our side who have been shameless performers from Day One and look on stage fright as simply a spur to a better performance.
No need for exclusivity, we can also have some Renaissance polyphony, some English cathedral anthems, some good old Protestant and Catholic hymns, and maybe the odd “Bread of Life” (but no more than twice a year).
***Yes, lock away the guitars. Back to the organ and if you don’t have an organ (Shame) a pianist will do, but away with the guitars!***
Bravo. I am the one in our parish who gets hit on when the organists are all away and get to play cold (sight reading is good). But when I am cranky I threaten to play the 17 minute version of Inna Gadda da Vida just like the church organist on the Simpsons...
We do a Gloria that goes:
Gloria! clap-clap!
Gloria! clap-clap!
in excelcis Deo!
[and then it goes on to mess with the text and do a lot of repeats]
Is that the one?
If so, the writer is correct that young people hate it, at least my 10 and 7 year-olds. It sounds so dorky and forced to make everybody, regardless of age and personal dignity, clap like it’s preschool. I do it, after all I want to set a good example for the kids, but I won’t cry if that one bites the dust.
Are there any post-Vatican II Mass settings that have stood the test of time? I liked a couple in the 70s and 80s ok, but nobody does them any more. I suspect they were phased out by the music companies, whether or not they were working well.
We do a Gloria that goes:
Gloria! clap-clap!
Gloria! clap-clap!
in excelcis Deo!
[and then it goes on to mess with the text and do a lot of repeats]
Is that the one?
If so, the writer is correct that young people hate it, at least my 10 and 7 year-olds. It sounds so dorky and forced to make everybody, regardless of age and personal dignity, clap like it’s preschool. I do it, after all I want to set a good example for the kids, but I won’t cry if that one bites the dust.
Are there any post-Vatican II Mass settings that have stood the test of time? I liked a couple in the 70s and 80s ok, but nobody does them any more. I suspect they were phased out by the music companies, whether or not they were working well.
There's a couple that aren't bad, but because we are going to a more faithful translation, they won't be usable. I hope they ditch the verse/refrain thing, too.
Actually, the music in OCP is chosen by survey of music directors. They are asked what they use most - which is why good stuff keeps disappearing out of it.
LOL!
Are there any post-Vatican II Mass settings that have stood the test of time?
Yes! The "Danish Amen Mass" is very pleasant and based on a pretty Danish melody. It harmonizes nicely and is easy for the congregation to sing. There's a Richard Proulx setting floating around that is consistent with his usual good work. It was one of the first ones devised after VCII. We also have a standard chant setting that we use for the Latin Mass, but being chant, it's easily adaptable to English (and of course to the changes in the words that are coming down the pipeline).
Our music director composed a very nice setting. The melody's a cinch but the harmonies are way out (he has his way-out moments). You have to concentrate to sing the choir parts, but it really is a beautiful effect. Wish I had audio.
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