A Defense of Musical Instruments in Church and the Orchestral Mass
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In his 1903 motu proprio “Tra Le Sollecitudini” (“Among the Concerns”), Pope St. Pius X stated: “The employment of the piano is forbidden in church, as is also that of noisy or frivolous instruments such as drums, cymbals, bells and the like.” We should of course read the sainted pope's comments in context. By the turn of the century in Italy, theatrical operatic music dominated in churches, much (or even most) of it was schmaltzy and not of very high quality, and it was being performed with the instruments Pope St. Pius X lists above. Churches were even known to set liturgical texts directly to popular Italian opera pieces, such as the quartet from Verdi’s “Rigoletto.” Chant and polyphony were barely being sung in this place and at this time. Therefore, it makes sense that Pope St. Pius X’s 1903 document, plus documents written over the next 66 years - namely, 1) Pius XI's 1928 apostolic constitution “
A Defense of Musical Instruments in Church and the Orchestral Mass
A Defense of Musical Instruments in Church…
A Defense of Musical Instruments in Church and the Orchestral Mass
In his 1903 motu proprio “Tra Le Sollecitudini” (“Among the Concerns”), Pope St. Pius X stated: “The employment of the piano is forbidden in church, as is also that of noisy or frivolous instruments such as drums, cymbals, bells and the like.” We should of course read the sainted pope's comments in context. By the turn of the century in Italy, theatrical operatic music dominated in churches, much (or even most) of it was schmaltzy and not of very high quality, and it was being performed with the instruments Pope St. Pius X lists above. Churches were even known to set liturgical texts directly to popular Italian opera pieces, such as the quartet from Verdi’s “Rigoletto.” Chant and polyphony were barely being sung in this place and at this time. Therefore, it makes sense that Pope St. Pius X’s 1903 document, plus documents written over the next 66 years - namely, 1) Pius XI's 1928 apostolic constitution “