tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461698464806055180.post574587633876832921..comments2021-06-03T13:58:52.783-07:00Comments on Fine Tuning: Intonations vs. Preludes: Introducing HymnsPhillip Magnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17841725361772353858noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461698464806055180.post-47180805987293365522012-05-26T21:09:27.219-07:002012-05-26T21:09:27.219-07:00Hi Phil,
Thanks for the note. I agree with your ...Hi Phil,<br /><br />Thanks for the note. I agree with your point that we musicians should enjoy the service. Along the same lines, we should mentally and physically *participate* in the service as well. It's a challenge for organists to juggle books and stops and what's coming next, but having musicians visibly participate even when they are not playing or singing is an important witness (the lack of participation perhaps being a more noticeable negative witness).<br /><br />BTW, I wasn't referring to Bethany's services with my comment, but I admit I hadn't considered post-editing as a possibility to explain the lack of silence is some recordings. That could indeed be the case in some services I have listened to online. But it doesn't explain the too-fast hymn playing. :) That said, I know there is room for friendly disagreement about pace of hymnody.artaxerxes99https://www.blogger.com/profile/10233625143498712451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461698464806055180.post-22166622368229350602012-05-24T16:26:55.392-07:002012-05-24T16:26:55.392-07:00Excellent point, Michael, about rushing things. O...Excellent point, Michael, about rushing things. Often pastors rush through, for example, the Prayer of the Church when they see a lot of petitions ahead. They think they have to hurry and get through them - but that not only goes against the spirit of prayer, but also actually makes the prayers seem LONGER. As you say, avoid the "anxious and uneasy feeling". Enjoy the service. Yes, ENJOY it, and your people will as well. <br /><br />Regarding podcast services from various congregations, sometimes those who put up the broadcast edit out silence. I don't think they necessarily should (except maybe something like 2 minutes of silent communion distribution), but they are schooled in avoiding "dead air". I know the folks who upload Bethany's services do that; I'm sure others do as well. <br /><br />Anyway, thank you for reminding us to pace ourselves reverently in order to draw attention to holy things. Well said!Philliphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13715953453920138624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7461698464806055180.post-36706449407290219542012-05-23T18:14:38.065-07:002012-05-23T18:14:38.065-07:00Hi Phil, Good advice. As with many things musical,...Hi Phil, Good advice. As with many things musical, variety is important. In general though, I believe we perform a disservice when we factor in the "length of the service" in our planning. Many congregations seem to have a hang-up about letting a service go longer than 60 minutes. As a result there are even prominent congregations (to use a term), whose services you can hear weekly on the internet, where the whole pace of the service feels forced along, and thus, artificial. When hymns are played too fast, the sermon is spoken quickly, and moments of silence are missing, the service leaves people with an anxious and uneasy feeling. What happens here is that the speed of the service becomes a distraction from the Gospel. I believe we must deliberately slow down the pace of the Divine Service, especially in our hectic day and age, to help draw attention to the holy things that are happening there. The musician's art, properly practiced, can both calm and energize, depending on which is needed at any given time.artaxerxes99https://www.blogger.com/profile/10233625143498712451noreply@blogger.com