[Desdemona]

Still, since modern music has risen mainly to serve profane uses, greater care must be taken with regard to it, in order that the musical compositions of modern style which are admitted in the Church may contain nothing profane, be free from reminiscences of motifs adopted in the theaters, and be not fashioned even in their external forms after the manner of profane pieces.

Is it just me or would this eliminate about 99% of the modern stuff currently foisted on us? (If this document was used as a guide)

[ninenot]

I'll go with 95%. Of course, I don't self-flagellate by attending Mass at some of the more, ah, stupid Parishes in town.

The critical component of P.X's document is the phrase "mind AND heart" ...(zu Gott)

Thus, if the music is all emotion, it's bad. If it's not able to engage the mind (i.e., having the form of music) it's bad.

Long time ago, got this card from an art-lover, and the rules apply to music:

TO JUDGE THE QUALITY OF GRAPHIC ART:

1) Spirit of resonance creating movement;
2) Structural method;
3) Fidelity to object;
4) Conformity to kind in applying color;
5) Proper planning in composition;
6) Transmission of experience.

Easy, ain'a?