The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-01-05
Church Music.

We had intended, ere this,to have alludedto
the performance Of Mozart's 18th Mass at the
Catholic Chapel on Christmas eve; not for the
purpose OF commenting upon the manner in
which it was done, for the remarks upon the
rehearsal, with little variation, would do for
that; but to call attention to the tact that our
brethren of the Roman persuasion are decid-
edly in advance OF the Protestant Churches in
the matter of music. ,. .-.-I.
Where, but in the Roman Catholic Churches,
can we hear the fine music which the bsst
composers have written for the purpose OF
public worship? The Episcopal Church has
done much in that way, and among the an
thems composed for that service are many ex-
ceedingly fine as musical compositions, and
admirably adapted to the sentiment of the
words. But how seldom do we hear theml
Chants, 1t is true are often to be heard, and
well done; but the fine old anthems of Kent,
DR.. Green, DR.. Boyce, and various other au-
thors who have devoted their talents to the
production of Church music, seem to be, as by
common consent, laid aside. Yet how few
now write anything SURPRISING them in musi-
cal effect, or equalling them in devotional feel
ing.
Among the choirs of most other denomina-
tions where psalm tunes" constitute the chief
music, though doubtless Improvement has
been made in the manner of performance
within the last forty years, we cannot help
feeling that there has been none in the char
acter of the music-the tunes, to use the ia
miliar word. The glorious old chorals, from
which the selections were then principally
made, are comparatively little used; and the
music substituted for them, meritorious as it
may be, and as much of it without question
is-cannot match them In grandeur or In pa
thos. Let any one listen to a choir using any
OF the modern singing books" and to anoth-
er equally good, singing from the first edition
OF the "Handel and Haydn" collection, or the
Ancient Lyre," and we doubt not that the
preference would be given to the latter.
But in the composition of music for divine
service in the Roman Catholic Church the
very best composers have been employed, and
they gave their best efforts to it. That Church
would employ the highest ability, and does
crowded aside or overlaid by others far inferi-
or in merit, merely because they claim to be
new. They encourage and welcome the efforts
of new composers, but they keep the highest
as their standard. 3D.. sE
Let the lovers of music in our community
consider this matter, and see if these remarks
are not well founded. Selfexam ination can
do no one any harm. If our Protestant
Churches can feel that they are doing as well
as their Catholic brethren in regard to this
portion Of public worship, they are right in
pursuing their present course. II not, they
are not doing as welfas they can, and should
consider the best means of improvement.
There are good voices enough in our city to
furnish good choir in every house of worship;
and the music is the most pleasing, and
by no means one of the least profitable part Of
the services. 1t is worth while to consider
well how it may best be made to promote feel
ings of devotion in the congregation.