Today in class were listened to and talked about the music before and after the Catholic Reformation. We talked about how the main purpose to reforming music from the grandeur and majestic version of Palestrina to the more simple and "catchy" music was because it provided a way for people to participate. It also allowed people to focus on the words of the songs and not the actual music.
In today's society we are encountering a similar problem where people get lost in the music and not in the purpose behind the music, which is to worship. While I understand the purpose of making music simpler to allow people to focus on worshiping and not on the complexity or build of the music, I also don't think we should minimize the beauty music can have. In my opinion, God gave man the ability to create music and we are also called to give our all to Jesus. Therefore, if God calls us to music in any shape or form creating simple songs and not putting forth your best effort when creating music and worship songs is probably not what God had in mind. While I have no ability to know or say what God is thinking or intends for other people, I do believe that both forms of worship can coexist. A great worship song to me is one that holds great truths in it's lyrics while also displaying a beautiful melody that evokes the ear to listen and points to the hand of God. Therefore, reforming music to the extremes of the Catholic reformation may not be necessary but making sure that the lyrics equal the importance of the music is in today's society.
p.s. commented on Rebekah Dye's No Lesser Values of Scripture
This is awesome! I thought the exact same thing except not in the same words. We shouldn't simplify worship music too much because like you said, it will take away the song's complexity and beauty, two things that are evident in worship. God is complex and beautiful and it makes sense that the music to worship him with will be to some extent the same.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Skylar. There is a unique beauty in each type of music. I think the key, regardless of the form of the music, is where it directs your focus. If it causes you to look to God in awe and wonder through the music and lyrics that speak truth, then it has served its purpose well. However, if the music detracts from the truth of the words because it is more of a show and the focus is on the performers, then I think the meaning of worship gets lost in the noise. Dr. Brekke said that in cathedrals those singing Palestrina would have been hidden from observers ...I think this was done very purposefully so the beauty and intricate grandeur of their song would not cause people to look at them but to look up to the One at whom their song was directed.
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