Tuesday, November 22, 2005

"When in Our Music God is Glorified ..."

This opening line of a majestic hymn is an ever so fitting way to mark today's feast, the Feast of Saint Cecilia who is, among other things, the patroness of singers, musicians, and music ministers.

Music, especially Catholic liturgical music, is an essential part of whom I am and my life's journey to this point (even during periods when I am not actively engaged as a music minister).

I thought, in light of today's feast, it would be nice to pose the question:

What are some of your favorite liturgical music hymns or songs? And why? What makes that music special for you?


Other replies, like favorite composers for example, are also welcome.

7 Comments:

At 8:34 AM , Blogger Sr. Marianne Lorraine Trouve said...

Hi Lisa,

I like different kinds of music, but liturgically the one hymn I like the best is the Tantum Ergo--partly because it's by St. Thomas and partly because I love the melody. It's great on Holy Thursday when we're having the procession to the altar of repose.

 
At 8:36 AM , Blogger Sr. Marianne Lorraine Trouve said...

I put a link to this on my blog.

 
At 6:51 PM , Blogger Sister Anne said...

There is a version of Psalm 63 by, I think, Joncas, that is way up there for me. The psalm is "My soul is thirsting for God," and the music has this haunting, middle-Eastern kind of flavor, very passionate. Once I cantored this psalm for Mass at Santa Susanna's in Rome, and a lady came to me afterwards and said, "Sister, I don't sing. Ever. But during that psalm, I wanted to stand up and raise my arms and sing out loud!" To me, that is the hallmark of good liturgical music! (Fosters full, conscious and active participation!)

 
At 11:10 PM , Blogger Mark Mossa, SJ said...

One of my favorites is "Take Lord, Receive" by John Foley, because that is the prayer of a Jesuit, the final prayer of the Spiritual Exercises. So it has great sentimental meaning.

In general I tend to like mor contemporary stuff by composers like Haas, Haugen & Farrell.

With the exception of some songs like "Take Lord, Receive", I have grown pretty tired of the 70s "Glory and Praise" type music.

As a singer, I especially like things that sound good sung in multiple parts like "Shepherd Me, O God."

 
At 2:53 AM , Blogger Steph Youstra said...

Since my brother (aka Piano God) was my choir director for several years, and he did an excellent job of mixing all different musical styles .... I don't have any specific favorites, unless perhaps those with parts. And, of course, those done well!

 
At 3:00 AM , Blogger katimugambalon said...

Btw, great blog.

Hi! As a Jesuit from the Philippines, the works of the Jesuit Music Ministry hold a special place in my heart.

From the choral group Hangad , I like their rendition of Psalm 73 and Simeon's Canticle , and their rendition of the St. Louis Jesuits' You are Near .

From the choral group Bukas Palad , I like the songs Pastorale and I Love the Lord .

For a sampling of songs from Hangad click on this link. For Bukas Palad , follow this link and click on the link "our music" and then "songs", then "english" on the navigation bar.

Hope you like them!

For a

 
At 7:00 AM , Blogger Lisa said...

Thanks to all who shared their favorite liturgical music.

I'll have more on that later.

:)
Lisa

 

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