When the Holy Father first released his chirograph last month, it was available only in Italian. I relied heavily on the translated bits and bites, reported through the various Catholic news agencies, to get an understanding of what the document actually said. I'm sure many others did as well.
Now, thanks to the Adoremus Society and Daniel Muller, we finally have an English translation of the document, in which we can sink our teeth.
[Via Daniel Muller]
In his several exhortations, the Holy Father draws heavily from the Motu Proprio Tra le Sollecitudini of Pope St. Pius X. Separated by precisely one century, these two documents serve as temporal endposts, the union of which becomes the Magna Carta of the musical reform movement. The Holy Father's directives lead unequivocally toward a thorough cleansing and renewal of modern liturgical music: "With regard to liturgical music compositions, I make my own the 'general law' that Saint Pius X formulated in these terms: 'A composition for Church is sacred and liturgical insofar as it approaches Gregorian melody in flow, in inspiration, and in flavor, and so much less is it worthy of the temple insomuch as it is recognized as departing from that supreme model'. Evidently, this does not mean copying Gregorian chant, but rather seeing to it that new compositions be pervaded by the same spirit that gave rise to and so molded that chant. Only an artist profoundly immersed in the sensus Ecclesiae may try to perceive and translate into melody the truth of the Mystery that is celebrated in the Liturgy."
In case anyone missed that, the Holy Father is even more specific: "It is indeed important that the musical compositions utilized in liturgical celebrations conform to the criteria opportunely pronounced by Saint Pius X and wisely developed both by the Second Vatican Council and by the successive authoritative teaching of the Church." For those familiar with these sources, you know it's pretty clear what he is asking for.
For those who still don't understand, or may be pretending not to understand, start reading here. There should be enough there to clear it all up for you.
For the record, here are the links to my past posts: one, two, three and four on the subject.
Thanks for the credit. Later, I hope to publish the absolutely complete version of the chirograph in collaboration with Sacred Music; without the footnotes, which were the largest part of what was left out, it is not so easy to see how precisely and easily the chirograph fits into the century of tradition. For example, footnote 18 references Musicam Sacram 50, which gives us to understand that chant in Latin is not just for Latin Masses, as explained in Musicam Sacram 51.
Not at all by the way, my services are no longer required at Blessed Sacrament Church. Anyone wishing to reach me may do so by removing NOSPAM from my electronic address.
It is in English here.