CharlesW

Rehash: should a Catholic parish always hire a Catholic music director?
I agree with Jackson about the confused state of Anglican orders. There was an Episcopal priest in my town some years ago who went somewhere in Syria and had himself re-ordained by an Orthodox bishop. Now why he stayed in ECUSA when he obviously d…

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
Some Thoughts On "Englishing" Gregorian Chant
I tend to agree, Adam. SSPX is self-contained and has little influence on anyone else. I suspect being set apart is quite alright with them. My parish has a Latin EF and, other than concert masses at Christmas and Easter, their attendance has s…

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
Archdiocese of Boston's Reorganization Plan
Their parish here is not bad, either, although they do have a Protestant musician - well, Protestant if he believes anything. Must be a Boston thing.

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
Archdiocese of Boston's Reorganization Plan
If this is the Paulist order I am familiar with, many of them are wonderful priests. Some of them, unfortunately, are charitably speaking, nuts. That order is aging and I understand from one of its members, it will be considerably smaller in the f…

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
Archdiocese of Boston's Reorganization Plan
I never make it past the great Skinner at the Mother Church, so I haven't witnessed what is going on in Catholic parishes. What you folks say here is all I know about them.

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
Some Thoughts On "Englishing" Gregorian Chant
I agree that popes and documents have told us what we should do, but those are all dead ducks these days - except for Benedict XVI who is still alive and I think, relevant. As for SC, the whole world has changed since then and I am not convinced ou…

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
Music plans for Assumption
You play some of the neatest things, eft.

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
So...you've just hired a Protestant/agnostic music director...
The Protestant/agnostic music director will work seamlessly with the Modernist priest, the Democrat organist, the Socialist/agnostic CCD instructor, and the Buddhist Director of Religious Education. Anyone for some tea and having their chakras open…

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
Some Thoughts On "Englishing" Gregorian Chant
You noticed, Noel, that this Russian Orthodox Cathedral choir is in London. The churches in Russia have not changed their liturgical language. That looks like a good recording to have. Thanks!

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
Some Thoughts On "Englishing" Gregorian Chant
So is English, but it's much more difficult to sing well. I don't know, those 300-pound sopranos are equally intimidating in any language.

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
Some Thoughts On "Englishing" Gregorian Chant
Wouldn't it be hilarious if we could go back in time and hear Latin pronounced by native speakers in all the ways we disapprove and condemn?

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
Some Thoughts On "Englishing" Gregorian Chant
I don't think resistance to Latin is xenophobic. More likely, we live in an age that doesn't see the value of liturgical languages. They only work well when the people DO understand them. Much of the love for Latin is nostalgic and over…

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
Some Thoughts On "Englishing" Gregorian Chant
I will toss in a grenade and run, since I am sure a war will start shortly. ;-) I would not be surprised if chant gains traction in the OF, English wins out over Latin. I say that, having witnessed a similar transformation in my Eastern Church. …

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
Hymns in Minor Keys
True. As I near the time for tuning, I find I have a flute celeste on the organ. There are no celestes on this instrument.

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
Hymns in Minor Keys
There is the idea out there, and I don't know where it came from, that something written in a key with sharps always sounds brighter. It can, but other factors, such as temperature and humidity affecting the pipes can also play a part in wheth…

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
Music plans for Assumption
No mystery. We have a lady in the choir who was my predecessor as DM and organist. She is older now, of course, but still composing church music.

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
Music plans for Assumption
Entrance: Hail Holy Queen WLP Psalm ICEL Chant Mass Offertory: Ave Maria by a local composer Recessional: Immaculate Mary Organ Postlude: Trying to decide between a Couperin or a Marchand fugue Incidental music as needed.

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
Tra le sollecitudini and the "Great" Masses
And don't even dare suggesting heating the building or using anything but candles for illumination. Along with that chant you may use 17-rank mixtures tuned sharp. Monastic dress is required. You can sing the high notes better if you are fre…

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
Tra le sollecitudini and the "Great" Masses
I suspect that the Austrians don't much care whether or not we like their masses and will continue to do them. I have found Haydn masses more workable for Sunday use than some others, but I really don't have the resources to do those orch…

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
remembering
I have stopped memorizing Sunday music. It changes to fit the liturgical year, so it isn't an economical use of time to memorize pieces I wont use again for a year.

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
It was one of those days
All our groups have rehearsal space. That is one of the things I make sure of.

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
It was one of those days
Presbyterians are good folks. I played in a concert at a large Presbyterian church about 3 weeks ago. Large and beautiful organ, gorgeous stained glass, good acoustics, wonderful collection of cookie bakers in the church for receptions, and genuin…

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
Hymns in Minor Keys
I can't recall a specific title at the moment, but I remember that many of the old shape note hymns are in minor keys. A Google search would probably turn up a listing.

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
It was one of those days
Maybe it was the weather. The 8:30 a.m. cantor didn't show up and I pulled in a last minute person who had just returned from vacation. He didn't know the psalm, so I had to play just slightly ahead of him so he could hear the next note.…

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
remembering
Remember? What was that you were talking about again? LOL

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
Tra le sollecitudini and the "Great" Masses
Much of what was considered profane in an earlier time has been rehabilitated and even has religious words set to it today. Now we seem to be in the Broadway musical era and opera is no longer the music of the day. Pius X, however, is dead and gon…

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
Here’s an idea to interview someone for DoM …
As are many of them. But really, I do hope that some younger priest looking to hire someone doesn't come here for ideas on what they should be doing in the interview, see this, and think "Yes that's a perfect idea!" I am hoping…

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
Is reading and singing chant fluently a basic skill that Catholic Church professionals should have?
Just because we are so impoverished that many people do not even know they have an inheritance, only makes the task of revivifying all the more urgent. Our heritage is a Permanent patrimony, not something so easy to drop. There have been problems …

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
I guess it is not possible to parody praise songs...
Parody on! Let them eat cake if they object.

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink
This photo probably has liturgical music implications...
True about us organists. All my groupies are nearing 80, but are nice and very generous. ;-)

Comment by CharlesW August 2014 permalink

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Username: CharlesW
Email: chazpipesatgmaildotcom
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