Introducing settings of new translations

[musicus]

Until you posted that, I had assumed it was a theological tome or some such.

Back to the topic now...

[SOP]

I asked at Summer School when we would start using the new settings and was told 'Advent 2010'.

Shall wait and see.

[Peter]

Someone else at Summer School predicted Advent 2011 at the earliest and suggested starting a book on whether it would be then or 2012!

[Nick Baty]

It's one thing engaging with the new texts but is there date when the present translations will be banned? I believe the last translation was never abrogated meaning, theoretically at least, we could still be singing Trotman and first draft Murray.

[Southern Comfort]

Someone else at Summer School predicted Advent 2011 at the earliest and suggested starting a book on whether it would be then or 2012!

The official line seems to be Lent 2011 at the earliest.

It's one thing engaging with the new texts but is there date when the present translations will be banned? I believe the last translation was never abrogated meaning, theoretically at least, we could still be singing Trotman and first draft Murray.

It seems certain that there will be a transitional period during which, for example, existing music settings can continue to be used by those who wish to.

To answer Nick's original question, there doesn't seem to be any point in doing anything at all until Rome has granted a recognitio of the new Missal. From that point, it's a minimum of 12 months before implementation, so that the publishers have time to prepare materials and, rather more important, get them distributed. Then is the time to start preparing people and not before, in my opinion.

In fact, it will not be possible actually to use music settings of the new texts before the date of implementation, since there is a difference between being approved for use, and being permitted for use. We won't be allowed to use those settings until the new texts come in on Implementation Day. People who are already starting both to use the new texts and even use new music settings are jumping the gun. What we don't want (but may well get anyway) is a repeat of the chaos still going on in South Africa.

As for a date for recognitio, only God knows. By no means all the English-speaking bishops' conferences will have finished their approval processes by November this year (which was the hope at one time, apparently), some because of problems with the texts and others because they have only comparatively recently received portions of the Missal to approve (it has been supplied in tranches). Rome could come back with a Yes very quickly (some say this is likely) or take several months (more probable), or even years/decades (as with the revised marriage rite).

[Nick Baty]

I wouldn't be at all suprised if SC was right and it took far longer than some expect. As he says, it wouldn't be the first time. But this does leave the parish musician in a sort of no-man's land. We've been singing the same six sets of acclamations for (in some cases) five years now. Should we stand still for a while and discover we're still singing them in another three or four years? Rome is messing up my Virgoan planning sheets.

This set my thoughts wandering so I've started a new thread on how many settings do we need: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=918

[docmattc]

OCP have an interesting page here:
http://www.ocp.org/neworderofmass

They say that the date of implementation has yet to be decided, but the file is called Advent2010.pdf

[SOP]

[HallamPhil]

I understand that some composers of most popular published settings of the Ordinary have been approached to offer versions of their music adapted to fit the new texts. Where this is effective the transition (and some fears) may be eased. The same composers may also have new settings on the publisher's starting blocks.

I am currently finishing work on a setting of my own for Cantor & assembly with optional SATB choir and instruments. I have already used the Lamb of God and Lord have mercy since these texts remain unchanged. The Glory to God, and Eucharistic Acclamations won't get a public airing until implementation date (tba). I'll be trying them out with the choir once the appropriate security arrangements are in place!

I do wonder whether Bishops will feel enabled to set up some churches in their Dioceses as places for experimentation so that the new texts and music can be used prior to implementation, and the experience used for formation purposes. This happened, I believe, in France prior to the introduction of the vernacular.

[John Ainslie]

I understand that the introduction of the new translations in England and Wales is being taken seriously by the powers that be. A committee is recommending the Bishops' Conference to approve a programme for phased implementation, complete with catechesis. An announcement is expected after the Bishops' Conference meeting in a few weeks' time.

[dmu3tem]

One topic appears to have been missed, namely the effects of the recent Vatican initiative re potential Anglican converts from the Anglo-Catholic wing - cf the extensive number of responses on the thread discussing this.

If such Anglicans are allowed to keep their liturgical tradition - or parts of it (exactly which parts does not appear to have been defined at present) then will this not undermine the uniform introduction of the new liturgies and the effects they have on new music written for it that are being discussed here?

I can just see some people who would like to retain the more 'modern' English of the 1973 liturgies going off to services performed by these Anglicans if they retain parts of 'Common Worship' (as opposed to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer). I can also see that such services might prove a haven for those who want to retain (reintroduce) existing settings that use the current texts for the Glory to God, Holy Holy etc.

Some though might think that Anglo-Catholics are ipso facto unlikely to do this, given that their High Church proclivities push them in the direction of more plainchant (as mediated by people like Palmer) and C16th-C17th English found in the Book of Common Prayer. They might also be more in favour of a renewed emphasis on purely choral repertoire. However, even if this is initially so, there might be the possibility that - as a discrete group within the Catholic Church - their character might 'evolve', especially if other Catholics who like more 'modern' English and some of the more populist music written for the 1973 liturgies, come along to services put on by such Anglican converts.

[John Ainslie]

...will this not undermine the uniform introduction of the new liturgies and the effects they have on new music written for it that are being discussed here?

'New liturgies'? That's a somewhat extreme description of the new ICEL translation, however one might assess it. Looking at changes to the texts of what is commonly called the Ordinary of the Mass, the following is a summary:

Penitential Rite / Kyrie: only the priest's/cantor's invocations in PR3 are different; 'Lord have mercy' the same
Gloria: yes, this is a major structural revision, though the last third is unaltered
Sanctus: only changes '...holy Lord, God of power and might' to '...holy Lord, God of hosts'; rest unaltered
Eucharistic Acclamations: major revision, though 'When we eat' has only minor changes
Lamb of God: unchanged from the current ICEL version

Turning to the Proper, there's been little attempt to set the existing antiphon texts, so there is little to lose. But for Responsorial Psalms and their responses, also the Gospel Acclamation verses, wait for the revised Lectionary in NRSV and Grail 4, which will shake things up rather more. But that'll be in 2011 or later.

With regard to a prospective Rome-authorised Catholic liturgy in the Anglican tradition, I wonder what degree of uniformity will be achievable in practice, given that existing Anglo-Catholic clergy and laity are used to doing things very much their own individual way? Or will such differences be no greater than are found in the Ordinary Form as celebrated in different Catholic parishes?

[Southern Comfort]

But for Responsorial Psalms and their responses, also the Gospel Acclamation verses, wait for the revised Lectionary in NRSV and Grail 4, which will shake things up rather more. But that'll be in 2011 or later.

And the question is, who will produce these? ICEL appears not to be working on the Lectionary but turning its attention to the Liturgy of the Hours. In any case, we wouldn't want any responses or Gospel Acclamation texts that ICEL might produce, since these will not be compatible with the psalm translation and scripture translation they are attached to, if last time is anything to go by.

With regard to a prospective Rome-authorised Catholic liturgy in the Anglican tradition, I wonder what degree of uniformity will be achievable in practice, given that existing Anglo-Catholic clergy and laity are used to doing things very much their own individual way? Or will such differences be no greater than are found in the Ordinary Form as celebrated in different Catholic parishes?

I think the differences will be much greater. Anglo-Catholic clergy are using everything from the Roman Missal to the Book of Common Prayer and all shades in between; in the States some of them are also using the Book of Divine Worship; in Australia and Canada there are yet other texts. I foresee a huge variety of texts and versions, and no uniformity at all. We will become much more similar to the Church of England, with wide varieties of churchmanship across a much larger spectrum than now.

Some blogs are wondering if those who find they can't stand the new Missal translation will forsake their own parishes for those new Anglican-usage parishes which will continue to use the Roman Missal we currently have.

[presbyter]

Not so much new settings but the whole thing....

The Genius of the Roman Rite: The Reception and Implementation of the New Missal by Keith F. Pecklers (Paperback - 29 Oct 2009)

Is finally published after some delay. Mine came through the post today.

[Southern Comfort]

The Genius of the Roman Rite: The Reception and Implementation of the New Missal by Keith F. Pecklers (Paperback - 29 Oct 2009)

Is finally published after some delay. Mine came through the post today.

Got mine some time ago.

You can read an extended review of it by Kevin Seasoltz in the latest issue of Worship.