Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-17

these forms must be subordinated in such a
manner to the general characteristics or
sacred music that nobody of any nation may
receive an impression other than good on
hearing them.
These qualities are to be found In the
highest degree in. the Gregorian chant,
which is consequently the chant proper to
the Roman Church, the only chant she has
inherited from the ancient fathers, which
she has jealousy guarded in her liturgical
codices, which she prescribes exclusively
most recent studies have happily restored
to their integrity and purity.
"On these grounds the Gregorian chant
has always been regarded as the supreme
model for sacred music, that 1t is quite
proper to lay down the following rule: The
more closely composition for church ap-
proaches In its movement, inspiration and
SAVIOR to the Gregorian form the more sa-
cred and lturgical it becomes; and the more
out of harmony 1t is with that supreme
model the less worthy it is of the temple!
The ancient traditional Gregorian chant
must therefore be largely restored to the
function of public worship, and everybody
must take for certain that an ecclesiastical
function loses nothing Of its solemnity when
1t is accompanied by no other music but
this.
Special efforts are to be made to restore
pie. that the faithful may again take a
more active part in the ecclesiastical offices,
the case in ancient times"
The pope has also made it quite plain
as to the rendering of the chant, and his
views bear an especial interest just now.
With the exception of the melodies
proper to the celebrant at the altar and to
the ministers which must he ALWAYS
only in Gregorian chant, and without the
accompaniment of the organ he says, ''all
the rest of the liturgical chant belongs to
the choir of levtes and, therefore singers
in church. even when they are laymen, are
really taking the place of the ecclesiastical
choir. Hence, the music rendered by them
must, at least for the greater part, retain
the character of choral music
by this 1t is not to be understood that
solos are to be entirely excluded. But solo
singing should never predominant in such a
way as to have the greater part of the litur-
gical chant executed in that manner; rather
should it have the character of simple sug-
gestion or rnelodic projection, and be strict
ly bound up with the rest of the choral
composition On the same principle it fol-
lows that singers in church have real
liturgical office, and that therefore, women,
as being incapable of exercising such Office,
cannot be admitted to form part of choir
or Of a musical chapel. Whenever, then, It
Is desired to employ the high voices of So
pranos and contraltos these parts must be
taken by boys. according to the most an
cient usage of the church.
"Firally only those are to be admitted to
form part of the musical chapel of the
church who are men of known piety and
probity of life, and these should by their
modest and devout bearings during the
liturgical functions show that they are
worthy of the holy office they exercise. 1t
Will also be fitting that singers while sing
Ing in church wear the ecclesiastical habit
and surplce, and that they be hidden be-
hind gratings when the choir Is excessively
open to the public gaze.
Although the music proper to the church
is purely vocal music with the accompani-
ment of the organ is also permitted. In
some special cases, within due limits and
propriety, other instruments may be allow
ed, but never without the special leave Of
the ordinary. AS the chant should always
have the principal place, the organ or in