Debate over "Sacred Music, Sacred Time" at the Musica Sacra blog

[Spengler]

Debate over "Sacred Music, Sacred Time" at the Musica Sacra blog on the Spengler Blog


by David P. Goldman


My essay "Sacred Music, Sacred Time" in the November issue of First Things stirred up a hornets' nest at the MusicaSacra Forum. I joined the discussion and the hornets reverted to a discourse that, at the conclusion, was almost amiable. The issue of contention was my passing comment that the Solesmes version of Gregorian chant was a 19th century invention rather than the reconstruction of a medieval original (as it happens, this is the standard and correct musicological view). I did not argue that the Church should not use Solesmes chant if it so chose; the chant revival was part of the "Romantic" effort to recreate a medieval Christendom that never existed in quite that way.

[BWoB]

I've been following it. It's been fun watching all the music nerds come out of the woodwork.

Now, to really have some fun, link them to your AToL articles where you first put this forward. They have not yet begun to swarm ...

[ellens]

I agree with you, BWoB; I haven't heard such a vigorous argument by Classical Music Nerds (or Jocks, as we used to call them) since my college days. Brings back pleasant memories. Now, that's a very positive development in the internet world. Talk about bringing high culture into a medium known primarily for its much lower culture. You see, there's hope for decent culture yet. The New York Times magazine section increasingly resembles People magazine; that's how Sulzberger thinks his gray lady can survive. Meanwhile, over here on our provincial webzine, we are bringing discussions about great music to the masses. Good work, Spengler.

[lzzrdgrrl]

"My essay "Sacred Music, Sacred Time" in the November issue of First Things stirred up a hornets' nest at the MusicaSacra Forum....."

I thought it was because you spelled it "Solesmes", when they spelled it "Solemnes" ....... ......

[ellens]

"My essay "Sacred Music, Sacred Time" in the November issue of First Things stirred up a hornets' nest at the MusicaSacra Forum....."

I thought it was because you spelled it "Solesmes", when they spelled it "Solemnes" ....... ......

Are you suggesting Izzrdgrrl, that the people at MusicaSacra are spelling nerds, not classical music nerds?

[lzzrdgrrl]

Probably multi-faceted nerds, yes .........

[Walter Sobchak]

The article was linked on the http://www.aldaily.com/ Arts and Letters Daily feed.