The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-19


flchest compositions aglow with the fire
Oh genus. With them all the people are,
more or less familiar.
Inc grand masses and difficult vesper
pieces are intended, of course for trained
choirs of selected voices, sustained by
orchestras. There are churches in New
YORK when attempt these compositions,
put every ludicous musician would agree
mat IL were better they would let them
alone. But 1t is well known that the am
Dltlon oil even country choir knows no
bounds. There are not a few country choirs
in New York city.
so wide is the range Of Catholic church
music that the poorest equipped choir can
find something TO suit il and render its eff
forts laudable There are innumerable
unison" masses that even children can
be taught TO handle with effect. They
are common in the country churches OF
France. The principal parts OF the mass
are the "kyrie," "Gloria," "Crcdo,"
'Sanctus'' and "Agnus Del" Short
pieces, both in unison and in four parts,
have been written for these divisions, and
they do not make any strong demands
upon The musical ability of the singers
But evenithis kind OF simple mass is be-
yond the power OF the congregation. The
mere frequent hearing will not help con-
gregation OF several hundred persons to
sing the mass together correctly. They
would have to be laboriously taught, and
that is almost out OF the question.
This difficulty is fully appreciated by
the pastors and organiss OF this city.
They do not entertain the idea OF getting
the people to join in the concerted pieces
They think il possible, however that
something may be done TO give them a
greater interest in the musical portion oil
the services.
A Catholic who enters a Protestant
church in this city-say Presbyterian, Il
Congregational or Methodist church-is
ut once struck with the admirable way in
which the hymns are sung. The reason
is that there is a standard book containing
music and words. A visitor from down
town to an uptown Presbyterian church is
not bothered by any difference in the
method of singing. II is just as he has
been accustomed to. The book is in use
at the Sunday and so Protestants
are taught from their childhood 10 sing in
u uniform way. One is also astonished
ut the amount of harmonization in
the congregation. In the Rev. DIR.
Halls church, in Fifth avenue, for in
stance, good tenors and BASES are to be
heard. II Is strange, however, that the
alto il almost non est. Woman, who is
supposed 10 be more musical than man, Is
not heard ms she ought 10 be. In EpiscO-
palian, Universalist, and in some Presby-
terrain churches, there are single and dou-
BILE quartets who do most OF the singing,
performing elaborate musical compositions.
Still, there are one or two hymns in which
the congregation joins. But il is in those
churches where there are no paid choirs,
where there is prccentor only TO lead,
that the best congregational singing is
heard. DIR. Talmage has corDetist TO
lead his congregation.
II is acknowledged there cannot be re-
| spectacle congregational singing in Catho-
! lie churches without u standard book con-
| tanning music and words. This would
have TO be authorized by the archbishop.
The first step, then, would be TO compile
such work, which at present is not in ex-
istcncc, aud place IL in the hands OF the
nuns and Christian Brothers who teach the
parochial schools. The pastors are In ia
yor Of selecting, In addition TO the hymns,
q large number OF the most beautiful
pieces sung at bcnediciion and yespefs, the
10 Salutaris," "fantum Ergo" and lit
any OF the Blessed Virgin, such Us Wcbbc
has produced in great variety These mel
odics, because OF their flowing character,
are easy to learn.
Mr.. William +. Pecher, the organst OF
81. Pa'rick's cathedral In Fifth avenue,
said "rhc introduction OF congregational
singing is desirable, and | think the idea
Is good one. Its development, however,
must be- gradual and n sure basis for Il
laid. That basis must be laid in the
school. In Germany congregational sing.
ing has reached perfection. That is be-
cause the hymns and chorals have been
taught in the schools. The people are in.
tensely devoted TO their church music,
and will brook no interference with II.
Why, some years ago, when II was pro.
posed 10 make some change in the standard
book, the proposition almost created q
revolution. OF course. we cannot teach
the people TO sing the masses, but we can
teach them TO sing the responses. ]
sec no reason why they cannot master
the Grcgorinn chants The cattle
dral IL very big place TO at
tempt congregational singing in, hut II
could be done 20 certain extent. With
Father I.ammell's chanccl choirnt one end
and with my playingoi the melody ON the
organ at the other the congregation could
be kept together. But congregational
singing Is more practicable ut the low
, muses. than ut high mass AT the latter
/ the grand compositions Of the master ar
sung 10 be in keeping with the more i'm
, posing ceremonies. AZ the low mass thi
congregation could Join IN hymns or IL
short aud simple pieces Of a purely mclo
, dious character
The Rev Father Young, S. j., who y
, an excellent musician, Is doing a goo
/ deal 10 Introduce Congregational singing q
) 81. Francis Naviera Al the big German
! church In East Third street, the tradition
, OF the iliherland are followed In this n
: spcct.
In England, about forty years ago, whe
A the celebrated divine, Dr. Newman (nO'
1 Cardinal Newmanl, with ~ many oihC
q Oxford men, seeded from the Prutesiar
J. church to Join the Catholic church, the
Q built fine edihce In the Brompion r0a,
! London, called the ''Ortory." Here the
/ educated the people In congregational SIM
g ing. and their hymns and their music b
n came famous throughout England.
!. Foreigners have noticed that American
q have a decidedly musical taste. Til
\ taste makes It's appearance IN Pro,cstal
II churches. aud thcrc is now desire on u
/, part Of Catholics TO employ Il In their 0v
n churches
. ~ aaa-=s----Ha
TIMELY use q Pc.ru-na relieves the pi