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Hymn for Ascension
Do not stand, and stare in wonder now into the sky above.
You have seen the wondrous glory of the risen Lord of Love.
Gregorian Chant is For Radicals: Part One
In my last post, I made the claim that Gregorian Chant, and traditional sacred music, is “radical.” I said that it should be embraced by those of us with liberal, progressive, unorthodox, or even heretical beliefs, not just because it is a part of our shared Catholic faith tradition (which it is- and that’s reason [...]
Reclaim Gregorian Chant!
I continue to be troubled by the fact that the apparent resurgence of traditional liturgy and music is tied to an increase in political and theological conservatism. The glories of traditional music, much like the glories of Christ Himself, are being co-opted by political and theological conservatism, while the liberal establishment are letting them do this, pretty much without a fight.
This is wrong.
Tribalism in Catholic Music
If we are interested in recovering a sense of our “tribal” identity as Catholics, we need to recover the music that truly belongs to our tribe- not steal some music from another group or try to imagine our own ritualism.
Incoming Links!
I had no idea this has happened, or when it happened, but I was browsing through my Google Analytics this morning and I found out that Six Maddens (a blog about Church Music, not about a half-dozen versions of the worlds most popular football video game) has added me to their blog roll. Thanks!
Mass Setting Review: Mass of the Sacred Heart, Timothy R. Smith – OCP
As we look forward, and especially as we find ways to “deal with” the New Translation, I’m heartened that there are still some composers who remember the Church that I grew up in.
Ubi Caritas et Amor
For the choral Offertory at my parish this week we’re chanting Ubi Caritas (out of the Parish Book of Chant, BTW). While I love the PBC, I find the translations to be sometimes a bit more distant and decorous than I understand the Latin text to be. As I was trying to explain some of [...]
The problem with the problem with “And with your spirit.”
The new English translation of the Roman Missal is not without problems. There is much to recommend about it, and much to be concerned over. While I have chosen, after some early hesitation, to be a supporter (in my limited way), I have no doubt that most of those who feel called to publicly speak about their concerns are doing so sincerely.
However, I find some of their tactics (if you can call them that) and specific issues of concern to be seriously unhelpful generally, and (in some cases) particularly harmful to the cause of progressivism and liberality (a cause generally supported by critics of the new translation).
Curating Sacred Music
One of the wonderful things about the digital revolution is the almost obscene abundance of content.
One of the most frustrating things about the digital revolution is the almost obscene abundance of content.
Shaker Mass Update
I’m almost finished with my new Mass setting inspired by Shaker chants and spirituals!