Friends,
Well put, that to judge someone\'s \"orthodoxy\" is rather out of the question for individuals, though the Church does have a legitimate charge to place a hedge around the flock in order to protect it when needed. And for us as writers/composers, consulting a mentor or guide is not intrinsically wrong, but just like the writers being discussed here, we will each be called to account directly for our works, musical or otherwise. That should always keep us on our toes.
That said, it is worth noting the inherent tension between music as liturgical and music termed \"sacred.\" Liturgical music must be crafted by and for the worship of a local assembly. Sacred music is an expressive -- perhaps according to Stravinsky, \"objectively expressive\" -- representation of the composer\'s response to the text. Very different products can and often should result. An individual\'s personal search in a sacred work, if it never strays far from \"official\" positions, may not seem at all genuine. Whereas, a composer who injects his inner striving too deeply into music meant for worship may impose personal emotional pressure on the assembly gathered for prayer and communion with God, not the composer.
Talk about delicate work!
-Dn Kevin
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