ROMAN CATHOLIC MUBIO.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 11921, 18 July 1906, Page 4

ROMAN CATHOLIC MUBIO.

With reference to the decision to reintroduco Gregorian music into the Romnn Catholic Churches, Mr H. H. Loughnan, the conductor of the Roman Catholio Cathedral choir at Chriatchurch, who is well known in musical circles, interpret* the Papal edict to mean that the service shall not bo sacrificed to the music. It is against what are known as "Italian Vespera," which have been so general in the churches of Rome, that the Holy Father's edict is directed. In those the service was spun out to two or three hours, though tho ordinary length should only be 25 minutes, and musical effects were strained to the utmost. Powers were divided and set as motets with orchestral accompaniments, and there were given with all knids of ecclesiastical instruments, such as cymbals, glockinepeilse, etc. This was surely sacriicing the service to musical effect,, and Mr Loughnan thinks it must have been against such things aa these that the Papal edict was directed. Speaking of the Cecilian Society. Mr Loughnan explains that this is a German organisation, which has spread all over the world, but mainly in America, for the purpose of improving the music of Roman Catholic churches. This is the style of music similar to that used in some of the German churches and in Rome, which he is introducing in Christchurch. He thinks that if the Holy Father could hear the music given in the Christchurch Cathedral he would find it modelled as far n« possible on that given in some of the churches of Rome under tho Cecilian Society. What it is desired to abolish is solo singing,, orchestral music, and theatrical professional ringing in the churches. Mr Loughnan flaya he finds no difficulty in getting ths music required for tho service, such ss will interpret the spirit of the words, and not sink the service for the music.