Unfortunately, I have not seen a good translation of Come, Holy Ghost, in Spanish. The only good biligual Communion hymn is Amen, written by Fr. John Schiavone. Now, Santo, Santo, Santo, is the Spanish translation of Holy, Holy, Holy (Nicea melody). Jesus Christ is Risen Today also exists in Spanish; unfortunately, some brilliant mind decided to set the song to "Michael Rowed his boat ashore". Talk about ruining a good song.

"Ven Al Banquete", "Pescador", "O Amor De Dios" are all insipid compositions that focus more on the community and what we are doing rather than on worshipping God.

>"Ven Al Banquete", "Pescador", "O Amor De Dios" are all insipid compositions that focus more on the community and what we are doing rather than on worshipping God.<<br />
I don't know the third of your cited compostions. But regarding the first two, I take exception from your demeaning and subjective critiques of both their musical settings, but moreso the judgmental conclusion of the composers' intent and your unfortunate choice of the adjective "insipid" that dismisses a reasonable assumption of a charitable and faithful attempt of their respective composers' efforts.

The mere fact that you don't make any distinction between the textual contents of "Banquete" and "Pescador" attest to an unfortunate reliance upon prejudice and categorical dismissal based upon taste, rather than analysis. I hope you prove me wrong.

Charles & benedictgal: The forced bilingualism is my gripe with "Ven Al Banquete" & "Pescador". The latter, especially, is beautiful in Spanish alone.

And our Mass is bilingual with readings and hymns in different languages. Actually, trilingual, as we will include 'Veni, Creator Spiritus".

Jn 6

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee.
A large crowd followed him,
because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick.
Jesus went up on the mountain,
and there he sat down with his disciples.
The Jewish feast of Passover was near.
When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him,
he said to Philip, "Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?"
He said this to test him,
because he himself knew what he was going to do...
"There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish;
but what good are these for so many?"
Jesus said, "Have the people recline."
Now there was a great deal of grass in that place.
So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.
Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks,
and distributed them to those who were reclining,
and also as much of the fish as they wanted."


I had hoped for a cogent reply; what I think was received was a didactic, pro forma response.
The above is what Hurd's text amplifies, nothing less nothing more. You can conjure Jacob's ladder or Sarah's circle theology 'til Gehenna's scent is pleasant, but it does not support your point, BG. You cannot retrofit Eucharistic theology to suit your taste or your polemics, BG. You could do better. But you seem bent upon assigning detriment rather than acknowledging both the obvious and the presumption of filial love and charity. That's not far from a "Kill 'em all, let God sort 'em out" convenience. I hope, again, to see you in Chicago and have you sort out how Cesarao Garbarain and Bob Hurd are contradictory to the Christian ethos, not specifically the liturgical ethos, of the Holy Father. I find your response convenient, not charitable. And I would wager (were I inclined) that Hurd has read MS repeatedly and with deep interest.

A bit less heat please! No one really gains from argumentative wrangling (a point of which I need to constantly remind myself!)

Jeffrey and Benedictgal, I appreciate your points, your experiences, your advice et al. I really don't feel, that said, I was ratcheting up the heat level of argument; if anything, I was belaboring two major points:
1. Distinguishing between actual, factual attributes of singular works of music versus the generalized, politically-charged and, IMO, too convenient option of indicting individuals (and their publishers) with a "guilt by association" raison d'etre.
2. The wholly unnecessary use of superlatives such as "insipid" that reduces its targeted person or association's intent and product by prejudice (at least in this forum.) Is his "Ubi Caritas" collection to be included just because it bears his signature? (Or was that just Hurd being a profliteer?)

I very much regret poor decision making in areas of programming and performance practice in any liturgical situation. But there isn't a causal link, really, between deficiencies locally, and the mediums of expression that Hurd or any other "contemporary" composer have had put into a free marketplace. As you, BG, state above, all politics are local in the end. But I think the solution is similar to Gavin's suggestion in another thread- we put away whining and wishing and get to addressing these deficiencies ourselves. That is why I'm a member of CMAA, because I recognize that it is about positive philosophies and practices that revitalize the spirits of its members, who then "go home" and re-work the vineyard from soil to fruit.

Jeffrey, I hope you recognize that I'm actually trying to lower the heat level by simply suggesting we try to refrain from personalizing/demonizing/mischaracterizing Christian souls and their efforts rather than to positively address the original concern of each thread.