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Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Perhaps Music Criticism Isn’t The Holy Father’s Strong Point
Still, he appears to have strong opinions:
Then there are two developments in music itself that have their origins primarily in the West but that for a long time have affected the whole of mankind in the world culture that is being formed. Modern so-called "classical" music has maneuvered itself, with some exceptions, into an elitist ghetto, which only specialists may enter -- and even they do so with what may sometimes be mixed feelings. The music of the masses has broken loose from this and treads a very different path.On the one hand, there is pop music, which is certainly no longer supported by the people in the ancient sense (populus). It is aimed at the phenomenon of the masses, is industrially produced, and ultimately has to be described as a cult of the banal. "Rock", on the other hand, is the expression of elemental passions, and at rock festivals it assumes a cultic character, a form of worship, in fact, in opposition to Christian worship. People are, so to speak, released from themselves by the emotional shock of rhythm, noise, and special lighting effects. However, in the ecstasy of having all their defenses torn down, the participants sink, as it were, beneath the elemental force of the universe. The music of the Holy Spirit's sober inebriation seems to have little chance when self has become a prison, the mind is a shackle, and breaking out from both appears as a true promise of redemption that can be tasted at least for a few moments. [from " Music and Liturgy," by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, November 2001]
The focus of the cited article is the use of music within Church rituals, most especially the Mass. Nevertheless, one cannot help but wonder whether a case of
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Each generation condemns the music of it’s juniors. No doubt Mozart’s grandparents despaired of him. The generation that gave us “mairzy doats” condemned Elvis.
Ben. XVI is only human, after all. Entitled to his opinion, not entitled to enforce his non-theological opinions on the Church he serves.
Posted by og on 05/25/2005 at 09:48 AMOur Curmudgeon is in to Glass Hammer and Spock’s Beard?
I suppose I shouldn’t be shocked.
I am impressed, though.
Posted by TJIC on 05/25/2005 at 10:21 AMIf you do not already know of them I’d point you to two recent articles by “Spengler” of The Asia Times.
1) <a title="Asia Times Online :: Asian News, Business and Economy.” href="http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/GE10Aa01.html">Spengler, The pope, the musicians and the Jews </a>
2) <a title="Asia Times Online :: Asian News, Business and Economy.” href="http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/GE17Aa01.html">Spengler, Why the beautiful is not the good</a>
Posted by vanderleun on 05/26/2005 at 06:19 PM
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