Looking for good tunes & new texts

[Gedackt flute]

It was so exciting discovering the music and texts of Bernadette Farrell, John Bell, Paul Inwood, Stephen Dean, Marty Haugen et al. - now so many years ago.

These composers continue to write - extremely well, of course, and other fine music is being written by many.

However, trawling through publishers lists and RC websites (some of these very hostile to the works of the above) - I have found very little new of any real interest. Some sounds like the Bevenot & Murray music from years ago, but in my view without the freshness or vibrancy. I have found nothing at all in the way of social justice texts, and a great deal in the way of really rather dull quasi-plainsong mass settings, and rather awful pastiche-polyphony.

Conversely, some very good CCM is being written - Matt Redman is a name that comes to mind - but this material seems more intended for an amplified soloist, and I'm not sure how well this would transfer to a regular morning mass.
Please don't get me wrong - there is a need for good music in a variety of styles.

However - is there any out there?

[Eastern Promise]

Hahahahahaha!!!! You're better at this than I am GF! Nice one!

[Southern Comfort]

It was so exciting discovering the music and texts of ... - now so many years ago.
....I have found very little new of any real interest.....there is a need for good music in a variety of styles.

However - is there any out there?

There is quite a lot out there, but it is not being put through the approval process because the composers concerned do not trust the process nor the Panel.

Talking of which, does anyone know what happened to the "big meeting in September" that was was supposed to review the Panel's terms of reference and modus operandi?

[Eastern Promise]

"composers don't trust the process nor the panel"


Ooh, that's a bit harsh on Martin Foster, Paul. I thought we were all on the same side....

[NorthernTenor]

"composers don't trust the process nor the panel"

Ooh, that's a bit harsh on Martin Foster, Paul. I thought we were all on the same side....

Nonsense, SP. Given the things he's written SC couldn't possibly be Paul, who would surely have had the integrity to name himself. You're just ****-stirring and I don't believe you.

[Nick Baty]

There is quite a lot out there, but it is not being put through the approval process

I'm not sure GF is talking only about settings of ICEL texts, SC, but of other psalms and songs which would not be subject to the panel's scrutiny. Is that right, GF?

Of the composers GF mentions, I can think of quite a few of their earlier pieces which didn't become too well known but which are certainly worth exploring.

For the last couple of years we've been using Paul Inwood's Litany of the Spirit (which dates back to 1977) at Pentecost and it's been very well received. We're about to use Paul's Holy is God (wonder if our assembly can manage the two-part canon?). And I've been introducing James Walsh's big processional songs: Father Almighty, We are you people and Father we come to you – all marvellous, stirring pieces.

And I'm not sure Bill Tamblyn ever got the exposure he deserved: his Vigil Mass was a tour de force, although not many parishes could manage the full choir parts. And his more recent God of the living and Lord of the Harvest are ideal for an assembly which likes to belt out a good strong tune. But I'm probably biased: I consider myself lucky to have studied with Bill Tamblyn and, through him, to have met so many inspiring musicians. Which makes me think of Tony Barr (love his Like the deer that yearns) – I'm sure there's quite a bit of his work to explore.

[musicus]

"composers don't trust the process nor the panel"

Ooh, that's a bit harsh on Martin Foster, Paul. I thought we were all on the same side....

Nonsense, SP. Given the things he's written SC couldn't possibly be Paul, who would surely have had the integrity to name himself. You're just ****-stirring and I don't believe you.

We don't play Guess the Pseudonym on here, so let's just drop this one, please.

[NorthernTenor]

We don't play Guess the Pseudonym on here, so let's just drop this one, please.

Sorry about that. I was just trying to stand up for the integrity of two fellow catholic musicians, which I feared had been impuned by EP. I should have realised the idea was too ridiculous for words.

[Southern Comfort]

"composers don't trust the process nor the panel"


Ooh, that's a bit harsh on Martin Foster, Paul. I thought we were all on the same side....

My comment has nothing to do with Martin Foster, who is simply administering a scheme under rather trying circumstances. I hear nothing but compliments about the way in which he has dealt with composers and publishers.

What I was referring to was the scheme itself. We all know that there are composers and publishers who don't trust the process, nor the panel. NT has said so himself on many occasions, and I think Colin Mawby's views are pretty well known to readers of this forum; and of course there are others. We can all think of one publisher who said he would boycott it (the grapevine says that he has since relented, but who knows?).

Guessing people's names, by the way, is not a very useful exercise. At least one of our number was 'outed' as "Joe Bloggs" but came back, claiming that he was a different Joe Bloggs......

[Peter Jones]

I have found nothing at all in the way of social justice texts.......

Two brief points, if I may, GF

1. Why do you want to find social justice texts?

2. What is your understanding of the use of hymns at Mass?

[HallamPhil]

1. Perhaps because social justice texts might inform our discipleship, how we may act as Christ beyond the eucharist, how we may 'wash the feet' of the world.

I recall Kathryn Hughes challenging Pastoral Musicians a few years back ... " Do this in memory of me ... we seem to have forgotten some of the 'this'"

Phil Jakob

[Peter Jones]

1. Perhaps because social justice texts might inform our discipleship, how we may act as Christ beyond the eucharist, how we may 'wash the feet' of the world.

Well OK but:

Doesn't Christ do that for us in the proclamation of the Word - and particularly the Gospel - and then through the inspiration of the homilist - and perhaps, a mention in the petitions in the Prayer of the Faithful? (For example, my own parish - pretty poor in itself - is engaged in a small social justice project for people living in abject poverty in Romania and Moldova at the moment. I know that the people here will respond well, making real sacrifices, but we don't feel the need to sing about it at Mass. We just get on and do it.)

I am reminded that one of the underpinning concerns of Pius XII in the precursor of Sacrosanctum Concilium, Mediator Dei, was the "protestantisation" of the liturgy. Are you suggesting that the use of hymnody at Mass should be informed more by the musical and didactic theories of Luther rather than the traditions Roman Rite?

Perhaps this discussion should develop as another thread, remembering that metrical hymns at Mass have effectively usurped the Roman tradition of antiphons and psalmody - which, of course, may in themselves speak eloquently of "social justice"........ "this poor man called, the Lord heard him......"

[Peter Jones]

I recall Kathryn Hughes challenging Pastoral Musicians a few years back ... " Do this in memory of me ... we seem to have forgotten some of the 'this'"

I am not familiar with this. Is the text published? Is it online?

[Peter Jones]

I think I should also raise the point that Looking for good tunes & new texts omits any consideration of ritual function.

[Nick Baty]

Doesn't Christ do that for us in the proclamation of the Word - and particularly the Gospel

And shouldn't our musical choices reflect that?