So, a unique one from a pastor: I am looking for recommendations for books (more popular/intro level) or articles on the impact of Gregorian chant on Western music and possibly culture. The purposing being very pastoral-i.e. interested in creating some talking points to help create openings for a broader group.
For the same purpose, I am interested if anyone is aware of any studies that would show scientific verification that the elements of Gregorian chant actually move the listener/singer in a manner that is more suited to the liturgy than popular forms of music. I know this is a reach, but we all know it's true. It would be nice to be able to reference actual studies to help our critics to come around a bit.
Father, I don't know if this is exactly what you are looking for, but in philosophy class in college I learned that the melody corresponds or "speaks to" the intellect, the harmony to the emotions, and the rhythm to the body. Fr. Basil Nortz speaks of this in this CD set on Music and Morality.
After a few years of only chant, sacred, and classical music in the monastery, it was striking to experience viscerally the difference between the WYD theme song from Australia (about the Holy Spirit) and a chant rendition of the Veni Sancte Spiritus.
Chant, being solely melody, is the most purely "spiritual" music. This is not to say that only chant is appropriate--hymns and sacred music are very helpful in lifting our souls to God, and there is a place for rhythm, etc. Understanding what is going on with the effect of difference music on us is helpful, but the really helpful thing is for the people to have a positive impression and just get used to it gradually over time.
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