One day, hopefully, the sounds of ancient Christendom will once again decorate the insides of our parishes and our hearts. Here are a few examples of the gorgeous sounds I've recently come across, for your listening pleasure:
We used to enjoy such music every Sunday and Holy Day at the Ancient Rite Mass at St Stanislaus Church in Milwaukee, when we had a skilled choir led by a brilliant conductor. It was one of the finest choirs in Milwaukee. Unfortunately the Diocese installed a well meaning but utterly tone deaf religious order to run the place and one of their first moves was to fire the conductor and replace him with another with a very mediocre talent. The results have been predictably dreadful.
Find a Traditional Latin Mass near you, and you will hear sacred music! Here is a website of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter locations. http://www.fssp.org/en/messes.htm
I pray for the day I will hear beautiful sacred music again at Mass. It is a real trial to endure guitars and the quite dreadful "recent" compositions. (I can't call them hymns) I try to remind myself that these people love God and are trying their best to praise Him. I guess the worst is right after receiving Holy Communion. Can't they just be silent? But then again, I tell myself, "offer it up."
Thanks for these exquisite examples from You Tube. God bless.
I just want to add to my previous post, I absolutely love and appreciate this blog. I've only recently discovered it but what a treasure. Thank you so much.
I accidentally opened the first and second youtube window at the same time and it was amazing....trying playing one over the other....as if they are meant to be heard that way!
The Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church have never abandoned this music, and - G-D be praised - it continues in all its beautiful, soul-enriching, spiritual meaning. One of the reasons I switched from the Roman Rite decades ago.
It was called "opening the windows". The Church leaders wanted to "modernize" worship and they went to the vernacular and all kinds of "junk" replaced this beautiful music.
So beautiful. Truly heavenly! When the Pope was in Australia for World Youth Day, he was blessing a beautiful alter at St. Patrick's or St Mary's (sorry not sure) The chant literally brought me to my knees, I was so awe-struck. There was this deep baritone humm which was constant, layered with the chant. Truly masculine and one of the most beautiful sounds I've ever heard. I've tried to find out who the choir was and if there is a CD to purchase from them, but unfortunately am not computer savvy enough to continue my search with luck.
In the Cleveland area, try Mary Queen of Peace on Pearl Rd. The 11am Mass has a wonderful choir that sings sacred music, chant, and polyphony from October through early June. It's like a little foretaste of Heaven!
The Russian music is a jewel! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK_cCh92Q8U . For ever so slightly more modern music (1565), I have written a lecture/concert about Striggio's Missa sopra Ecco si beato giorno, a mass in 40 parts. http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF39598E44E4E8D1F . If you want a real Russian thrill, try Orthodox music and Basso Profundo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBOMVLd7wYg
YES!! more of this music - last week we had to hear some woman singing a song that she evidently thought was fantastic she sang horribly and the song sounded like some trash from the 60's musical hair ... it was disgusting
Pretty music, but nothing to sing along with. We would have to have a separate choir to have such a treat (and I fear only the older people would like it). We DO have such music during confessions which coincides with Adoration and it helps. But at Mass...I don't think so.
Iajmh.....once you have been exposed to this music long enough....you will no longer feel a need to sing along, but will find yourself plunged into *praying* along....on the threshhold of eternity. That is the purpose of sacred music, to lead us into an encounter with the mysteries of eternity that utterly transform us and move us into contemplative prayer.
Hardly anyone sings along where I go to Mass up here in Maine so I don’t think this music would present a problem. Its time to clean up all the evil done to Catholic music and the whole of western culture by derelict hippie baby-boomers.
The music at our parish has become so hideous we chose to go to a 6:30 am Mass without music. My 12 year old son even wants to get up early to go to a Mass that is more peaceful and prayerful. It would be so wonderful to be able to hear this at our Mass instead of the politically correct garbage that we hear now.
If only......
ReplyDeleteWe used to enjoy such music every Sunday and Holy Day at the Ancient Rite Mass at St Stanislaus Church in Milwaukee, when we had a skilled choir led by a brilliant conductor. It was one of the finest choirs in Milwaukee. Unfortunately the Diocese installed a well meaning but utterly tone deaf religious order to run the place and one of their first moves was to fire the conductor and replace him with another with a very mediocre talent. The results have been predictably dreadful.
ReplyDeleteFind a Traditional Latin Mass near you, and you will hear sacred music! Here is a website of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter locations.
Deletehttp://www.fssp.org/en/messes.htm
I pray for the day I will hear beautiful sacred music again at Mass. It is a real trial to endure guitars and the quite dreadful "recent" compositions. (I can't call them hymns) I try to remind myself that these people love God and are trying their best to praise Him. I guess the worst is right after receiving Holy Communion. Can't they just be silent? But then again, I tell myself, "offer it up."
ReplyDeleteThanks for these exquisite examples from You Tube. God bless.
Luckily, my parish has beautiful music for the most part - a good friend of mine is trying to re-establish orthodoxy in the compositions!
DeleteJason
I just want to add to my previous post, I absolutely love and appreciate this blog. I've only recently discovered it but what a treasure. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteMay it be of continued service to you!
Jason
I accidentally opened the first and second youtube window at the same time and it was amazing....trying playing one over the other....as if they are meant to be heard that way!
ReplyDeleteWow, you're right - that's so strange!
DeleteDear Lord please let it happen everywhere!
ReplyDeleteAmen.
DeleteCome to St Theresa's Catholic Church at Sugar Land, Texas every First Friday vigil and reparation Mass at 11 PM till 12 AM.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that Mr. C.'s parish who does all the you tube videos?
DeleteThe Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church have never abandoned this music, and - G-D be praised - it continues in all its beautiful, soul-enriching, spiritual meaning. One of the reasons I switched from the Roman Rite decades ago.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly enough, the first three selections are western sacred music.
DeleteMozarabic refers to a rite within the Latin Church, so it is western.
The Cantigas refers to a form of pious medieval songs about the Blessed Virgin Mary.
And the Cistercians, well...
Frankly, I am not at all sure in any way why these forms of music were largely abandoned in the Latin Church. I haven't the foggiest.
It was called "opening the windows". The Church leaders wanted to "modernize" worship and they went to the vernacular and all kinds of "junk" replaced this beautiful music.
DeleteSo beautiful. Truly heavenly! When the Pope was in Australia for World Youth Day, he was blessing a beautiful alter at St. Patrick's or St Mary's (sorry not sure) The chant literally brought me to my knees, I was so awe-struck. There was this deep baritone humm which was constant, layered with the chant. Truly masculine and one of the most beautiful sounds I've ever heard. I've tried to find out who the choir was and if there is a CD to purchase from them, but unfortunately am not computer savvy enough to continue my search with luck.
ReplyDeleteThis is so reverent. Do you ever listen to Ancient Faith Radio online? Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIn the Cleveland area, try Mary Queen of Peace on Pearl Rd. The 11am Mass has a wonderful choir that sings sacred music, chant, and polyphony from October through early June. It's like a little foretaste of Heaven!
ReplyDeleteHeavenly. Amazing. Beautiful. There are just no words to describe it. Thank you for sharing with us, Mr. Liske!! :)
ReplyDeleteThe Russian music is a jewel! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK_cCh92Q8U . For ever so slightly more modern music (1565), I have written a lecture/concert about Striggio's Missa sopra Ecco si beato giorno, a mass in 40 parts. http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF39598E44E4E8D1F .
ReplyDeleteIf you want a real Russian thrill, try Orthodox music and Basso Profundo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBOMVLd7wYg
YES!! more of this music - last week we had to hear some woman singing a song that she evidently thought was fantastic
ReplyDeleteshe sang horribly and the song sounded like some trash from the 60's musical hair ... it was disgusting
Pretty music, but nothing to sing along with. We would have to have a separate choir to have such a treat (and I fear only the older people would like it). We DO have such music during confessions which coincides with Adoration and it helps. But at Mass...I don't think so.
ReplyDeleteIajmh.....once you have been exposed to this music long enough....you will no longer feel a need to sing along, but will find yourself plunged into *praying* along....on the threshhold of eternity. That is the purpose of sacred music, to lead us into an encounter with the mysteries of eternity that utterly transform us and move us into contemplative prayer.
DeleteAnother great song with video:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MbQ7tMians
Bill
Hardly anyone sings along where I go to Mass up here in Maine so I don’t think this music would present a problem. Its time to clean up all the evil done to Catholic music and the whole of western culture by derelict hippie baby-boomers.
ReplyDeleteI always appreciate your music posts. Got to say I prefer the old blog theme, though. It encouraged a more contemplative attitude.
ReplyDeleteThe music at our parish has become so hideous we chose to go to a 6:30 am Mass without music. My 12 year old son even wants to get up early to go to a Mass that is more peaceful and prayerful. It would be so wonderful to be able to hear this at our Mass instead of the politically correct garbage that we hear now.
ReplyDeleteHave I died and gone to heaven?
ReplyDeleteThank you Jason. :)