The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-10-22
Star and Catholic Messenger.
GREGORIAN CHANT.

on the question OF church muSlC-WDetheI
the true religious idea does not demand the
severe plain chant, or whether the modern
musical composition sung at present during
the celebration of Mass is not antagonistic
to absorbing prayer-we publish the fol-
lowing clipping:
In the sixth century st. Gregory the
Great undertook to improve the Ambrosian
Chant, which had been in use in the Church
for over two centuries, being introduced by
st. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan. St. Angus
tine, disciple of St. Ambrose, speaking of
the Ambrosian Chant, says: GAS the
voices flowed in my ears, truth was instill
ed into my heart, and the affections of
piety overlooked into tears of joy The
Church of Milan had not long before begun
to practice this method. 1t was here first
ordered that hymns and psalms should be
sung after the manner of Eastern nations,
that the people might not languish aud
pine away with a tedious sorrow and from
that period it has been retained at Milan,
and initiated by almost all the other con-
gregations in the world" At present, the
Tie Deum, which is sung at Notre Dame
frequently in the ceurse of the year, is per-
haps the only specimen of Ambrosian Chant
familiar to our readers.
st. Gregory may we'll be considered the
patron of those who teach vocal music, and
1t may be some consolation to this afflicted
class to know that even in "that good old
time" boys were boys; and the fact of hav-
ing Saint and Sovereign Pontiff for
teacher did not always prevent them from
being FESTIVE. A century afterwards the
whip was yet shown which had been used
during the singing class, also the bed on
which the interchangeable Pontif reclined
when, in the latter part of his life, his zeal
still led him to visit his favorite school, to
hear the scholars practice. In place of the
whip, our teachers compel the violin bow
40 lfrNO fln n~fr l,rtr, hat
and then-sometimes to the utter ruin of
that modern substitute, and the great de-
light of all but one of the assembly.
For thirteen centuries the Church has
used the Gregorian Chant in her liturgy,
and very probably will use it to the end of
time. In the course of ages, harmonized
music was introduced into that portion of
the liturgy which could be sung by the
laity; timidly at first, then growing holder,
until, gradually, worldly and profane com
positions were sung, until the Council of
Trent was on the point of banishing all but
Gregorian music from the Church. Pales
trina composed his famous Mass Papa
Marcell, based on the Gregorian mode, as
aspecimen of what figured church music
should be, and the Council then agreed to
tolerate figured music of that particular
kind,-always, however, subordinate to the
Plain Chant.
Since that time, figured music has again
degenerated, and is perhaps more theatri
cal and worldly now in majority of the
churches than it was three centuries ago.
But our modern enlightened congregations
D imagine Plain Chant to be dull, monoto-
nous, suitable only for penitential times
'why not" they say, "have the improved
music, which delights the heart and
pleases the earR Gregorian was good
enough for the dark ages, but will not bear
the glare OF our progressive age" we have
heard, over and over, these silly objections
OF people who would set up their own
shallow opinions against the wisdom of the
Church. Do you go to church to pray, or
to listen to concerto Do you wish to
hear the same italian love aria which was
given at fashionable Soiree on Saturday
evening, sung by the same prima donna on
sunday, set to the holy words of the o
SoIGtdrtS or IGntum ergo? What do you
. care for the words, whether they be Itallas
or Latin: you came there to erjoy your
self. ls this what the Church expects from
her childrenR No; she desires them to
pray, and the Gregorian Chant, or come
thing similar to il, Is the only u usic which
barmonizes with real prayer.
Pure Gregorisn Chant is WAITING il two
of the elements which constitute modern
nusic, harmony AID ~ TIM. II reta.Ls only
melody, pure, simple, diaiorc melody,
such as the child leErus IL !;s tre, scale. II
Is Their fore suitable 20 =! capacities, and.
for this reason, bes' ca!ca ated for corgre-
gational singing, which the Church Lac.
putting few good siugeTs ~ luft II the
rear OF tie church is AT iuveuuou which
must have been originated 10y pride aud
has done more to :uster that VICE. and b
variety of o;bey evl.s, thGo any Innovation
Ve knew OF.
Cneultivsied care never ind suy tulug
agreeable In II use when they miss u
Etropg!y-nArked ~ tim. To them dance
IL cbe most enjoyable form of music; they
can nod their head TO the time, aud 60 to
sleSP PeThsps. Persons wbo have had more
experience find this kind Of music monoto-
Dons, aud receive much more enjoyment by
following the artistic com bipatorS of bar
Dooy and melody in more classical compos-
itiopE.
From what has been taid, II is plain that
neither of these classes will I'd 10 the Gre
gorian that purely musical enjoyment
which they seek for outside of tie Church,
and hence the foolish prtjudice against it
from persons WHO forget that they go to
church to pray. Only simple melody,
which tae moot ignorant understand, and