Liturgical Music Meme

By way of Gavin, here's a meme (how do you say that?) in an area of great interest. Apparently, this is one where each new poster is to add another question to pass along. So be it.


The Liturgical Music Meme

1. Your favorite Mass Ordinary settings (i.e.Kyrie, Sanctus, Agnus Dei):

"Mass for the City" (Proulx) takes the top spot for me, at least in the contemporary realm. The Gloria especially is incomparable. In a more traditional vein, the Kyrie from the Missa cum iubilo (Mass IX, I believe) is quite remarkable.

2. Your favorite Mass Proper chants (i.e. Introit, Gradual, Tract, Alleluia, Offertory, Communion):

The Proper for the Requiem mass is so well-known for good reason. Wonderful music. And I'm a sucker for almost anything in Mode II.

3. Your favorite motets (polyphonic vocal work):

Geez, where to start . . . the Lotti "Crucifixus", Purcell's "Hear My Prayer", Byrd's "Sing Joyfully", Palestrina's "Missa Papae Marcelli" (well, this should have probably gone under number one), nearly everything by Lassus. These tunes are all so popular because they're so well-composed.

4. Your favorite Hymn:

In the more common repertoire, I love LOBE DEN HERREN and HYFRYDOL. But I really enjoy REPTON and a tune called MICHAEL, which was composed by Herbert Howells, I believe. Both of these are unfortunately not found in most Catholic hymnals. Surprise, surprise . . .

5. Your favorite Marian piece:

So many from which to choose . . . the Biebl "Ave Maria", though a bit overdone, is quite wonderful in its simplicity. I love the solemn tone for "Salve Regina", and I just don't think I can narrow down all the Renaissance settings. Hymn tune would be PLEADING SAVIOR.

6. Your favorite Liturgical Season for music:

Holy Week, no doubt, but Corpus Christi (though not an actual season) has lots of great repertoire as well.

7. Favorite composer of sacred music:

Well, J. S. Bach, but assuming we're looking for Catholic composers here, I would probably say Lassus or Byrd. I've yet to find a piece by either of these two that hasn't engaged me both spiritually and intellectually.

8. Make up a question for all future posters to answer, and answer it!

Worst church music annoyance: (Gavin's question)

Doing all the verses of a hymn except for the last, though I've occasionally done just that, though not without much shame.

If you could join any performing ensemble in the world, which would it be? (My question)

Probably the Taverner Choir under the direction of Andrew Parrott. I love their sound.


Tag people:

My partner-in-crime, Cantor, and our colleague "Klaus."