The Vatican has finally released its followup instruction to the Holy Father's encyclical, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, which provides norms "on certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist".
Not having read it in its entirety, I wanted to get an initial sense as to what the document will mean for liturgical music. For the record, the word "chant" does not appear in the document; and the word "music" appears in the following sentences:
At least in terms of liturgical music, it sounds as if a few basic reminders have been given, but it's difficult to imagine how the apparent lack of specificity or vigor in these instructions will cause anyone to be dissuaded from their existing course, where contrary to its true intent. Rather than laying down the law, it seems more like a set of gentle reminders. I guess this is where we invoke trust in the Lord to carry out His work.
The organist at the Mexican church I attend has started playing music during the consecration just recently, in September 2004, months after Redemptionis Sacramentum. I asked him if he had seen or read it,and that I thought that it said that music was not to be played during the consecration. He said that "the fathers" had suggested that he play, and anyway, such a document was only a recommendation, not a prohibition. I'm taking him a print out next Sunday. He would not, however, tell me which "Father" told him to play music, which means that even though they say it's only a recommendation aren't real sure of that. So maybe it has a few teeth. BTW it's kind of weird science fiction music he's noodling. It's totally disgusting, but his moderno folksy children's choir is fabulous. And they do a Latin Agnus Dei.