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> > I'm not seeking merely to make a contemporary point > on a medieval list. > In assessing the taste, style, beauty or otherwise > of medieval art and > architecture, on needs always to take into account > the felt needs of > those who actually used it and paid for it. > > Oriens. > Dear All, I have found this discussion intensely stimulating so far, and I was wondering if the list would find it worthwhile expanding the discussion into the arena of church music. I had thought this relevant back when the topic had touched on Lourdes but as I rarely contribute to the list I kept my mouth shut and the moment passed. The reason I've brought this topic up now is that I've been involved in church music for the last 15 years but in Anglican and Catholic Cathedrals and have noted in that time the emergence of new types of music often typified by the inclusion of guitars and tambourines over that centred on the church organ. Although this new music often involves the congregation more actively than their old passive role listening to a choir, I can not help but feel that some of the beauty of services is lost when we eliminate the glorious compositions from Britten t Byrd, and even before. Although that was a large preamble my actual question to the list is; were there similar changes in the practice of religious music during the middle ages, such as from unison chanting to early polyphony? Likewise if such changes happened, as most obviously they did, what were the contemporary reactions? Jim PS Regarding another subject current on the list, I remember a conversation I had with a chorister years ago who told me that as the Son was called Jesus so the Father was called Burt. When asked why he told me it was so because in the psalms it said "Burt the name of the Lord endureth for ever"! ===== All that is gold does not glitter, : Jim Connolly not all those who wander are lost; : 2 Craighall Ave The old that is strong does not wither, : Levenshulme Deep roots are not reached by frost. : Manc. M19 2BR Tolkien __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%