EAR OCCASIONS. Catholics are supposed to avoid near occasions of sin. For example, youngsters engaged in courtship are strongly urged to avoid “parked cars in deserted areas.” Those situations can easily lead to sins against the holy virtue of purity. Each day, we should ardently implore from JESUS CHRIST the grace of purity. Thanks to our fallen human nature, purity is something we must work at (especially males). I can’t speak for others, but I can say for me personally certain liturgical websites constitute “near occasions of sin.” I have in mind certain authors who are dishonest, immature, and—in a surprising number of cases—emotionally disturbed. Even though I’m interested in liturgical topics, encountering such authors takes away my peace of soul. [Don’t forget I’m half Irish.]
Pardon This Interruption • In a moment, I’ll explain why I chose to begin this article the way I did. First, I’d like to share with you a new composition. Readers will recall I promised to promote original offerings by the CHAUMONOT COMPOSERS GROUP.
* PDF Download • 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
—Spanish Responsorial Psalm • CHAUMONOT COMPOSERS GROUP.
Getting Triggered • Perhaps I have an artistic “temperament” because observing idiocy bothers me. Once my peace of soul has been robbed from me, I have a hard time accomplishing what I’m supposed to as a Catholic husband, father, and church musician. There are proper and professional ways to write about the sacred liturgy. But some choose a different path, writing in a ways that’s flagrantly dishonest and hopelessly immature. Let me try to illustrate what I mean. Some authors are constantly using obnoxious phrases such as:
M “Didn’t I tell you this would happen?”
M “I’ve been saying this for years…”
M “I knew about this before anybody else did…”
M “I was the first one to know about such-and-such…”
M “Etc. Etc. Etc. …”
When you see such phrases, the exact opposite is usually true. Indeed, if a blog author really has been “saying something over and over again for years” the readership would already know that without having to be told.
Innovative Ideas • For every rule, there’s an exception. Once in a blue moon, somebody actually does originate something. When that happens, it leads to a nice feeling. It makes one feel as though one is making a difference. Being imitated gives one a satisfying sense of affirmation. I bring this up because many have adopted something I came up with back in 2008 for the Chabanel Psalms collection. I’m talking about when the score leaves a blank spot for an antiphon harmonization labeled: Compose your own! This has seemed to become popular, and you’ll notice the score above follows suit. They say “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” On the other hand, God is the only one Who can (in the final analysis) create anything. I suspect that’s why my colleague, RICHARD J. CLARK, writes Soli Deo Gloria at the end of all his scores.
Copycat Syndrome • Needless to say, very few composers were truly original. I suppose Frédéric Chopin might be an exception, but 99.99% of what composers “create” is nothing more than a conglomeration of music they’ve heard throughout their lives. The following piece, which we sing during Eastertide, is a good example. Notice how it switches the TENOR VOICE into an inner voice during the polyphonic sections:
* PDF Download • “Old Hundredth” + Polyphony (4 Pages)
Free rehearsal videos for each individual voice await you at #33595.
As cool as that technique is, it can hardly be considered unique. Indeed, according to the footnotes in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal, that melody was originally a tenor line!
The Secret To Forgiveness • In the Gospel, our Savior made it quite clear that we have no hope of being forgiven by our heavenly Father if we refuse to forgive our brothers and sisters. I strongly suspect most musicians have a MELANCHOLIC temperament—whereas it would be rare to find a musician with a SANGUINE temperament. Those of us whose temperament is MELANCHOLIC find it particularly difficult to “overlook” or “pardon” or “ignore” or “forgive” sinful behavior, even when such offenses are committed by strangers we’ve never met. I suspect the secret to forgiving (when it comes to those of us with a MELANCHOLIC temperament) is to remember how much God has blessed us. In other words, we must focus on Gratitude to God—rather than holding a Grudge. Anyone who’s made a serious effort at being a choirmaster in today’s environment has no doubt suffered persecution, betrayal, rudeness, and so forth. However, these things can’t hold a candle to the suffering of so many of our brothers and sisters in (for example) third world countries. We must never fail to remember—and be grateful for—the blessings Almighty God has bestowed upon us.
Sergei Rachmaninoff • Without question, Sergei Rachmaninoff had a MELANCHOLIC temperament. He was fabulous conductor, sought by America’s most prestigious orchestras. He was also (as everyone knows) a marvelous composer, beloved by the public and by also professionals like Hofmann, Gieseking, Moiseiwitsch, and Horowitz. Furthermore, Rachmaninoff was one of the greatest pianists who ever lived. He once gave a series of concerts in honor of a fellow Russian composer named Alexander Scriabin. Sergei Prokofiev came backstage afterwards and said to Rachmaninoff: “You played very well.” Rachmaninoff considered such a comment to be condescending. He never forgave Prokofiev. Anyone with a MELANCHOLIC temperament will understand completely!
