The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-28
POPE'S MUSIC REFORM FUTILE
CONGRESS ON CHIRCH MISIC
STEIkES SOME SNiGS.
l'c;,s 90 solve Controversy Over Rhythmirai
signs In the Ores Orlan Editions
Thr Cnuch Law IDScts One Of lts
COnciuslD ms The NaM Prosecution.
Special Ccbi- rcspq,ct 10 THE sun.

NOu'luNtUUN THU Nuh ptOtrfWtlOb,
Special Ccbis Ccspqici 10 the SUN.
RoME, July 27.-Little has yet been done
toward tho reform of church music ordered
by the PoT e three years ago. The dignifioi
strains Of the Gre Iorian chant and tho
classical Loly hony have not yet entirely
supplanted the music Of "A mundane oharac-
ter. In all the churches Of Rome except
~. Peters and the great basilicas the
Pores orders are often violated. and the
Roman commission on church music is evil
IDENTIFY powerless 20 prevent such viola-
tions. BE- .
A congress on church music held recently
at Padula for the region Of Venice was at
tended by -four Bishops, including the Car
dinal Patriarch of Venice. The procee l.
ings were characterized by a spirit Of obe-
dience TO the teachings of the Pope. but no
practical results sea to have come from
then
II is PROPOSED that the faithful should
take an active part In the l~iturgical chant.
Don Perosi approved this proposal to such
al extent that he wrote to the congress
urging the participation Of the faithful in
singing the ,"creio" and suggesting that
alternate versicles Of it should he sung az
a plain chant by the faithful. On the feast
Of st. Paul the innovation was tried in
Rome, but most likely it will not be re-
peated until the congregations nave boen
instructed in the plain chant by a choir
master. The task is a difficult one and will
require time.
The congress also attempted to solve
the controversy concerning the rhythmical
signs introduced into the Gregorian editions
published by the Benedictines of Solesmes
.Ls.k .,o-. f,rIslln- H.. a.. Dn,,a -A.,
mission. After n discussion Of the matter
the congress decided that such signs we're
not TO he added TO the Gregorian editions
published by the Vatican but that they
could be introduced and added to other
editions published with the object of help
ing singers, provided that it appears clearly
that the signs were added for the conven-
fence and help Of the choir.
Until a few days ago it was believed that
the declarations Of the congress repre-
scented the thought Of the Pope and that
therefore the dispute over rhythmical signs
had bean closed. hut the Osserrufore Romano
now publishes an official note recalling
a aw on the subject which prohibits adding
10. subtractinG from or changing anything
whatever in the decree Of the Congregation
of Rites Of August II. 1905, and prohibits
as well any publisher from introducing the
Solesmes signs in the reproductions of the
Vatican edition.
Besides, the decree Of February II. 1909
cnacts that such signs cannot be tolerated
unless they do not alter in form the CORE
spending notes OF the Vatican edition.
The intention of tine Congregation Of Rites
10 10 unity the different editions and have
one edition. that Of the Vatican. Tor all
churches. But such a radical change can
not take place at once. II must be lone
gradually. Meanw hiie the reform Of church
music is held in allegiance
REVOLT TALK IN SICILY.
1t is no exHggeration to say that the cass
Of ex-Ministcr Nasi has seriously shaken
the position taken by the Kingdom OF Italy |
and has increased the i'll feeling and an
tagonism between the north and south.
or the so-called continental and islander |
Italians. Nasi was, ~undeniably a good
Minister. and during his term Of office was
one of the most popular men in Italy Three
years ago it was discovered that he en-
bezzled $4,000 while. Minister Of Public
instruction The charges against him were
not well specified, but il is known that he
subsidized unworthy persons with public
money. spent more than was necessary
during his travels as Minister and appro-
priated furniture belonging to the State,
as well MS books, lamps and other things
Nasi is not the only Minister who has
been charged with embezzlement, hut is
the only one ever committed for trial. The
Sicilians say the reason is that he docs not
come from the north, and hence his trial is
regarded as persecution and an insult TO
Sicily
The present Premier. Signor Gioletti,
had sons trouble OF the same kind in con-
nection with the sBlnca Romana soandlls
several years ago. but tho mnttcr was some
how hushed. -
The Sicilians are wondering why the
same procedure has not been adopted in the
case OF Signor Nas, They say Il is TO be
regretted that Ministers should embezzle,
but it is not'iust that some should be pun
ishel and others allow e1 TO go free.
Tn common courts have ruled that they
ere incompetent to try Signor Nasi, 50
the case has Eecl referred to the Senate
sitting as a high court. The fact of Nasi
being a member of the Chamber of Depu-
ties exempts him from arrest. but the
Senate nevertheless has had him arrested.
The Sicilians are exaggerated and indig-
Nasi. they say. is made the victim
of the Government simply because he is a
Sicilian. Therefore, they say. their only
remedy ia & revolution against the present
form of Government.
viva Ia RecublDa!" they cried az Pa
lermo and the shout Ia echoing still through
out Sicily. The presence of mer-of-war
cleared for action in the adjoining waters
and Of a whole army corps on the island
has contributed TO quell the revolt. but the
seed of discord has beer sown and the
most trihing incident may lead to a repeti-
ton of the episode known to history as the
-Sicilian vesperr."
Any one who knows the Sicilians to-day
can zee for himself that they are quite
of doing what their ancestors did
in times gone by.