The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-05
FATHER FLA rTERY's CHOICE
a Church In which Modern Music Only IL
Hereafter TO he Sung.

st. Cecilia's Roman Catholic Church, at
105th street and Second avenue. was dedicated
five years ago in the name Of the patron saint
OF music and yesterday grand musical fcsti-
val was given in the church. The Rev. Father
II. j. Flattery. tho pastor. said. while prcpnr-
ing II. that he was going TO show that the name
Of the church meant moro than sentiment-it
meant fact. and he was going to have in st.
Cecilin's the hest Of church music At tho fes-
tval there was to 10 music and discourse by
himself on the veNcd question OF what the gen
une music OF tho church 10. The services
consisted Of high mass. with the Row. Or. H.
A. Brann of st. Eizabcths. Fort Washington.
ms cclebrant. and the Rev. Fathers Boldly and
Brennan OF ST. Cecilas MS deacon and sub
deacon. Over a thousand worshippcrs were
crowded into the little church. The extraor-
binary part OF the services were musical. Miss
Emma Abbott sang. Guide mo- o Thou Great
Jehovah" by Flotow. for a Graduates and. Mt
the Onortory. Memberships famous Hear We.
Israel from Elijah. The words were sung in
English and the rendering was in robust
style. supposed to be- impossible for the singer.
Tho other singers were Signor Alonno III. Hatch.
Tenor; recently returned from Studics N ltaiy.
and Miss NJ. Ferris, soprano Miss y. Atkinson.
coniralto, aud NJ. + kennedy. basso, OF 81.
Cecilins choir. Mr.. Charles Wells WINS orRanist
and conductor and Prof Arrigotti. assistant.
The Rev. Father Flattcry. in his sermon. after
thanking the distinguished visitors who sang,
said TINT no excuse WIS needed for increasing
the attractions Of music in church services. for
not only il God Himself full Of harmony. hut
also tho church is always the loving mother Of
tho fine arts. especially music. Unlike other
arts, music never dies. The painting rots. but
music lives on in our hearts. Religion is the
philosophy not only Of all arts. but also en-
phatically that OF music
Cod sent the singers upon earth
MIN songs Of gialness and Of mirth,
And lead them hack to Heaven again.
so sang Longfellow. meaning that music
hna la fxFhn flar nrfa mi ta In
handmaid and Interpreter of religion. and II
viii br the last 20 bo forgotten Then Father
flnttery showed that the recent outcry among
Catholics against modern or figured music in
favor OF the ancient Gregorian chant. or plain
music is ill-grounded., The only question is,
devotion. II Is said that modern operate music
il novel. md. therefore, H. too frivolous for de-
votion. But so was tho plain Gregorian chant
once n wild novelty. and now sticklers for the
old school ask for that plain chant Guido Of
Are7Zo monk in ltalv. was IS author. and
tablish the chant in the face Of those who cried
out against II as novelty. Il IL said also. that
liturgy; but there is no established liturgy
music that may not be changed 10 suit
the devotional musical spirit, The Celtic,
Saxon and Gallican liturgy differed. yet all
were devotional Again, 1t Is said that the old
Father doubted that He had heard in tho
heart of orthodox Catholicism. Italy both the
plain chant and modern music. and the latter
had most affected him., Mover had no heard
fectingly sungns in Mercadati's mass. In the
Convent Of the Sa'rcd Heart. in Rome. modern
music is sung by ladies. and in three fourths OF
the great devotional choirs in Europe modern
music ia preferred TO ancient The musical art
In the plain chant is imperfect. Another OBJ
lection. he said was That operate music Is not
composed for devotional purposes. He did not
care where he got 800 for good purpose. and 30
he did not care where music came from IL II could
only h. adapted to church uses. The Church
pulls down nothing. but assmilates what is
good. Lastly. modern music was objected to
because II tickled the lmagi nation. The speaker
believed in stimulating the imagination: for
was not ST. Theresa great novel reader and
did she not out OF her Imagination rise 10 be-
come a Saint Father Flattery declared. in
closing. that in the shrine OF the patroness Of
music, St Cecilia. only modern music should
hereafter be sung.
The music sung in tho mass WINS Mo2art's
kyre, Gloria and Credo from his Twelfth Mass
and Weiss Sanctus and Agnus Del In & minor
The pastor. after the services. entertained the
singers at his residence.