Catholic liturgical music is serious, solemn, transcendent, but Catholic musicians are never more fun and inspiring than when they are talking about what they love most. This is what happens at sacred music events around the world: the social and intellectual are critically important elements. The musicians (and music enthusiasts) at the Chant Café, a project of the
Church Music Association of America, bring that sense of life and love to the digital world. As St. Augustine said, "Cantare amantis est."
Among the contributors:
Also past contributors:
Jeffrey Tucker, writer, editor, entrepreneur, musician |
archiveNick Gale (1975-2015), organist, choral director, for 13 years Master of the Music at the Cathedral of St. George in Southwark |
archiveBen, schola director and organ student |
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e-mail:
contact@chantcafe.com
I love this Mass! Even though it's Lent, you should also hear the glorious Gloria: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBd5GsehbYU
they actually did this at ND????? I am shocked! I dream of the day when I can have this at Mass? maybe Jonathan and the CMAA can do it for my 10th anniversary in 2015?????
"Lord, have mercy — OR ELSE!" Yes, it's well crafted, but am the only person around here who thinks there's something spiritually "off" about this piece?
Great, but I prefer the Widor Mass.
Westminster Cathedral Choir sing it quite regularly on great days. They have also recorded it together with the Widor:
http://www.amazon.com/Vierne-solennelle-choeurs-orgues-Quatre/dp/B000002ZYG
I don't particularly care for either of them, rather overblown for my taste!
Having sung this a number of times on Solemnities in a parish of less than 1000, it is an appropriate high point (with others) to a choir's repertoire. It shouldn't be out of reach for any competent parish (let alone cathedral) choir with a qualified organist/choirmaster. The reality, of course, being different reflects the poverty of what we value and are willing to support. I long for the day that we marvel not at the opportunity to sing this at mass but at the fact that it was discarded for so long.
Marvellous setting. Just love the bass line in the organ part in the Sanctus (it makes a reprise in the Osanna!)