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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Reflections On Playing The Piano At Church

Jeff Ostrowski · January 14, 2013

In my experiences as a Catholic Church musician, the following conversation has often occurred:

    “Jeff, why don’t you ever play the piano at Mass? Why do you play only the pipe organ?”
    “Because the piano is too much of an emotional, sentimental instrument.”
    “But the piano can be very beautiful.”
    “I agree that the piano can be very beautiful, but the correct musical instruments ought to be used in the correct
    places at the correct times.”

    “OK, Jeff, you agree the piano is beautiful. Well, God is beautiful. Why not play piano at Mass? It moves me.”
    “When it comes to the Church’s public worship of Almighty God and the reënactment of the sacrifice of
    Calvary, we have to make sure that the music is of a certain seriousness, loftiness, and dignity.”

    “You probably just don’t like the piano, Jeff.“

In conversations like these, I’ve never had any success convincing people that I love the piano. I keep saying, “I love the piano, but it is not a sacred instrument.” And the other person keeps saying, “You probably don’t like the piano. That’s why you don’t think it belongs in Church.” To “prove” I love the piano, I would like to share with you two recordings I made while still a sophomore in high school (1998). You can tell these are “live” recordings (no editing) because towards the end of the MacDowell, you can hear members of my family talking and then slamming the door.

                          •    
                    Edward MacDowell Etude de Concert    •        Nikolai Medtner Fairy Tale

Pope St. Pius X wrote in an official Church document (1903): “The employment of the piano is forbidden in church, as is also that of noisy or frivolous instruments such as drums, cymbals, bells and the like.” Although the piano is one of the most beautiful instruments, I do agree with Pope Pius X. It is a highly emotional percussive instrument not suited for the public worship of Almighty God. I love the piano, but not in Church.

“Music is to be heard, not seen”

EOPLE who didn’t like children very much used to say, “Children are to be seen not heard.” In other words, children were to keep their mouths shut. In my mind, however, music is to heard not seen. I think watching people make music distracts from the pure joy that comes from listening. I’m sure others will disagree strongly with this opinion of mine. Below are video versions the same two recordings (from above). I simply cannot focus on the music as well when my eyes are “watching” something: do you agree?

      


Incidentally, I also think there are many reasons why the choir or cantor at Mass should not become a “center of attention.” Pius X seems to agree, when he said: “It will also be fitting that singers while singing in church wear the ecclesiastical habit and surplice, and that they be hidden behind gratings when the choir is excessively open to the public gaze.”

Piano Culture

Not only was the piano a huge part of my life for many years, but the whole culture of the “golden age pianists” played a huge role in my life. I drew many sketches of the great pianists, and here are some examples:

When all was said and done, I think I must have drawn about forty (40) great pianists total: Ignaz Friedman, Josef Lhevinne, Leopold Godowski, Wiktor Labunski, and many others. However, my sketches were nothing compared to those of my mother, who has a natural talent for art:

My mother drew that picture of the great Anton Rubinstein in about twenty minutes — what amazing talent!

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Offertory” for this Sunday
    This coming Sunday, 12 October 2025, is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). Its OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (PDF) is gorgeous, and comes from the book of Esther, as did the ENTRANCE CHANT last Sunday. Depending on a variety of factors, various hand-missals (all with Imprimatur) translate this passage differently. For instance, “príncipis” can be rendered: King; Prince; Lion; or Fierce lord. None is “more correct” than another. It depends on what each translator wants to emphasize and which source text is chosen. All these pieces of plainsong are conveniently stored at the blue-ribbon feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF example) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

There is a lack of that kind of organization which favors mature judgment. Move on, move on, get it out. Schemata are multiplied without ever arriving at a considered form. The system of discussion is bad … Often the schemata arrive just before the discussions. Sometimes, and in important matters, such as the new anaphoras, the schema was distributed the evening before the discussion was to take place … Father Bugnini has only one interest: press ahead and finish.

— Cardinal Antonelli (Peritus during the Second Vatican Council)

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