AUGUSTINE "musical instruments were not used. The pipe, tabret, and harp here associate so intimately with the sensual heathen cults, as well as with the wild revelries and shameless performances of the degenerate theater and circus, it is easy to understand the prejudices against their use in the worship." (Augustine 354 A.D., describing the singing at Alexandria under Athanasius)
CHRYSOSTOM "David formerly sang songs, also today we sing hymns. He had a lyre with lifeless strings, the church has a lyre with living strings. Our tongues are the strings of the lyre with a different tone indeed but much more in accordance with piety. Here there is no need for the cithara, or for stretched strings, or for the plectrum, or for art, or for any instrument; but, if you like, you may yourself become a cithara, mortifying the members of the flesh and making a full harmony of mind and body. For when the flesh no longer lusts against the Spirit, but has submitted to its orders and has been led at length into the best and most admirable path, then will you create a spiritual melody." (Chrysostom, 347-407, Exposition of Psalms 41, (381-398 A.D.) Source Readings in Music History, ed. O. Strunk, W. W. Norton and Co.: New York, 1950, pg. 70.)
So, the pipe organ can excite my heart to devotion, piety, and good works, and helps me prepare to receive and cooperate with the Grace of God given in the Sacraments? ;)
A large congregation, singing full out on Easter morning, nearly drowning out the the sound of a fine (recently-tuned, thankyouverymuch) organ being played well... at that, my friends, at that the Gates of Hell tremble.
11 comments:
AUGUSTINE "musical instruments were not used. The pipe, tabret, and harp here associate so intimately with the sensual heathen cults, as well as with the wild revelries and shameless performances of the degenerate theater and circus, it is easy to understand the prejudices against their use in the worship." (Augustine 354 A.D., describing the singing at Alexandria under Athanasius)
CHRYSOSTOM "David formerly sang songs, also today we sing hymns. He had a lyre with lifeless strings, the church has a lyre with living strings. Our tongues are the strings of the lyre with a different tone indeed but much more in accordance with piety. Here there is no need for the cithara, or for stretched strings, or for the plectrum, or for art, or for any instrument; but, if you like, you may yourself become a cithara, mortifying the members of the flesh and making a full harmony of mind and body. For when the flesh no longer lusts against the Spirit, but has submitted to its orders and has been led at length into the best and most admirable path, then will you create a spiritual melody." (Chrysostom, 347-407, Exposition of Psalms 41, (381-398 A.D.) Source Readings in Music History, ed. O. Strunk, W. W. Norton and Co.: New York, 1950, pg. 70.)
It's because they never heard Bach!!!
Although I will freely admit that the human voice alone makes the most beautiful sound of all.
Clearly you never heard me make a joyful noise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Uzk0CRis6g&feature=related
Is that you playing, Larry?
So, the pipe organ can excite my heart to devotion, piety, and good works, and helps me prepare to receive and cooperate with the Grace of God given in the Sacraments? ;)
I wish. lol I was talking about my not quite so human singing voice. God bless the parishioners who sit in front of me.
Larry, I grew up sitting in front of a man who made a joyful NOISE! God bless him for his joy! (And you, too!)
A large congregation, singing full out on Easter morning, nearly drowning out the the sound of a fine (recently-tuned, thankyouverymuch) organ being played well... at that, my friends, at that the Gates of Hell tremble.
well... at that, my friends, at that the Gates of Hell tremble.
LOL!!! But very true, I'm sure!
Christine
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