10 January 2014

Your insight would be appreciated.

I will be taking another turn at cantoring again at the end of February and beginning of March, so I will be singing for the first Sunday of Lent. As I mentioned previously, I have been using the proper communion antiphon in English whenever I cantor. I don't know how the people feel about it, but no one has told me not to yet, so I will continue. But perhaps it is time to take another step. For the first Lenten Sunday I am considering using the Latin antiphon from the Graduale Romanum.

I see arguments going both ways. The original Latin chants are more beautiful than the English ones, although the English ones have been well done. Latin is also the recommended language. However, very few people in the church I attend use missals, so almost no one will understand what I am singing if I do it in Latin, and I have always felt it important for the people to know what is being sung, particularly since these are biblical passages.

Any input would be apprciated, including: "Yes, you're right, use Latin," or "Yes, you're right, use English" or even "Where do you get off thinking you know what's important for the people?" or "What makes you think anyone actually cares?"

Thanks.

2 comments:

Eunike said...

Latin if you have some way to make the English translation available to everyone.

I've never commented here before, but since you asked . . .

Puff the Magic Dragon said...

dh I could print up the English translation ( about 50 should be enough ) and have them available.

-Puff