The Music of the Church
Adult Sunday School Ð Providence Reformed
Presbyterian Church
Spring 2002
Class #4 (5/19/2002) Ð Mr. Bill Hoover
I.
Review
of Last Week (Hebrew Psalms)
A.
Additional
Observations (not discussed on 5/12)
1.
Choirs
are OK if used properly
a.
The corps
of singers mentioned in I Chr 15 and 25 were, in effect, a choir (or
choirs). Probably, they bolstered congregational
singing and also sang by themselves at times.
b.
Therefore
there is precedent for Òspecial music,Ó i.e., choir-only selections such as offertories,
anthems, etc. But care must be
exercised:
1)
Choir
selections should fit with the flow and tone of the service and not distract. They should fit the sermon and liturgy content
as much as possible.
2)
The
choir should not displace congregational singing by performing too many
selections. (ThatÕs why our choir
typically only sings once, at the Offertory.)
3)
The
selections, deportment, and even physical placement of the choir should
facilitate worship, not entertainment
a)
Cheesy
music and glitzy accompaniment tapes have no place in worship.
b)
Our
choir loft is in the rear so that you are not tempted to gawk at them or clap
for them. And by singing from
behind you, facing the same direction as you, they bolster your singing during the
hymns. They represent you when
singing to the Lord; they are not facing you to sing to you.
c.
The
best use of the choir is to bolster congregational singing Ð strengthening the harmony, adding descants, doing
antiphonal singing with the congregation, etc. The special anthems should be Ògravy.Ó
2.
The
Psalms were central to OT worship from time of David on, and have been central
in Christian worship ever since
a.
Chanted
Psalms - during early and medieval church eras
b.
Psalters
Ð many were developed from 1500s to present
c.
Psalm-based
hymns
d.
Today
we are losing (in some circles) and recovering (in other circles) the tradition
of singing and/or chanting entire Psalms
3.
Hebrew
Psalm music was not necessarily what we typically picture today.
a.
ÒHava
NagilaÓ-style music is Eastern European national music (picture Hungarian
dances).
b.
Because
the Hebrew Psalms are textual lines of varying length, they may well have been chanted. Rhythmic, fixed-meter tunes wouldnÕt
have supported the Psalm texts, would they?
II.
The
Early Church (30-500 AD) and Early Middle Ages (500-1000 AD)
A.
Not
much data about the music between Hebrew Psalms and 1000 AD Ð big gap.
1.
The
Sacred Bridge
B.
Synagogue
worship at the time of Jesus Ð chant?
1.
Apostolic-era
church songs probably based on synagogue tradition Ð first believers were Jews
C.
Hymns
of the early church
1.
ÒHymnÓ = the text, not the tune
2.
Often
written to combat heresy Ð hymnody is powerful!
3.
Ambrose
of Milan (340-397 AD)
a.
See
Index of Authors (p. 691) Ð Ambrose wrote hymns #56, 165, 339*
[*Hymn numbers are from Trinity Hymnal, 1961]
b.
Author
(and translator if approp.) is at top left of each hymn
1)
Luther
translated #165 from Latin into German
2)
John
Mason Neale translated #339 (and many others; see Author index) from Latin into
English
c.
Ambrosian
chant Ðprecursor to Gregorian chant
4.
Aurelius
Prudentius (348-413 AD) - #122 (J. M. Neale translated)
5.
The
Lorica Ð ÒThe Breastplate of St. PatrickÓ
a.
Patrick
(389-461 AD) Ð born in Britain, captured by pirates at age 16 and sold as a
slave in Ireland, where he was converted.
He escaped back to Britain, but later returned to spend his life bringing
the Gospel to the pagan Irish who had never heard it. Planted over 300 churches and baptized 120,000 people. Largely responsible for the
Christianization of Ireland.
6.
Anatolius,
7th century - #342, 513 (J. M. Neale translated)
7.
John
of Damascus, 8th century - #197, 200 (J. M. Neale translated)
8.
Joseph
the hymnographer, 9th century - #284 (J. M. Neale translated)
9.
Theodulph
of Orleans (c. 820) - #173 (J. M. Neale translated)
a.
Òc.Ó
or Òca.Ó = circa
(= approximate date)
III.
The
Later Middle Ages (1000-1400 AD)
A.
Medieval
= ÒMiddle EraÓ
1.
In between
the fall of Rome (476 AD) [end of the ancient world] and the Renaissance [beginning
of the modern world]
a.
Renaissance
(beginning ca. 1400) ushered in new interest in art, science, learning; many
changes in philosophy, art, music, architecture, etc., ending the Medieval
system
B.
Split
between Western and Eastern halves of Roman empire (and Church!) which began
ca. 300 AD (to better govern the burgeoning empire) was completed by 1000 AD.
1.
Eastern
(ÒByzantineÓ) empire centered in Constantinople (modern day Istanbul, Turkey;
once known as Byzantium), the capital founded by emperor Constantine
a.
The
Eastern church became known as the Orthodox Church (Eastern Orthodox, Russian
Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, etc.)
2.
Western
empire & church centered in Rome (hence the Roman Catholic Church).
a.
ÒWesternÓ
Church, ÒWesternÓ Music, ÒWesternÓ Civilization
b.
Source
of all Protestant church branches, etc.
C.
Gregorian
Chant (also called Plainsong Ð see hymn #147)
1.
Single
melodic line, unaccompanied
2.
Smooth
steps, with undulating rise and fall
3.
Various
treatment of syllables, depending on text
4.
Latin,
sung by choirs
5.
Foundation
of all Western Church music Ð Chant: The Sacred Bridge?!
D.
The Music
of the Roman Rite
1.
Gloria,
Sanctus (Holy, Holy), Credo (Creed), Alleluia, Agnus Dei (Lamb of God), etc.
2.
Set by
all major composers Ð even Bach
D.
Still
a part of most liturgical worship services in various traditions