Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Sacred Music
Lyric poetry can be best understood and felt when wedded to appropriate music. �particularly in sacred poetry, intended to move and inspire congrega tions, it is only by the aid of song, that the end can be attained. But such song ought to be the true expression of the words to which it is applied, so as to make us feel what we utter - to make us worship, while we pray. The Solo-singer, the Choir, or the whole Congregation, who understand, feel, and express the sentiments Of the sacred words they sing, are the true worshippers, and anything else they never ought to be within the sanctuary. It is quite common to denounce artistic performances as unworthy a place in the house of God. If by this is meant to banish from the church the artificial arrangements, in which certain Hymns might be read best, or the more elaborate treatment of Psalms and Hymns, without regard to the senti ments suggested by the words, of which the whole musical structure ought to be but the realized ideal, that inspired the sacred writer - then, very 'well; but if art is to aim at the realization of the ideal itself, if she, especially in sacred music, is to afford the means by which we can reach that state Of mind and heart, in which alone worship can flow from the soul - then, artistic perform ances ought to be the rule, instead of the exception. But it must be borne in mind, that simplicity and dignity are essential attributes Of music, in which the soul is to commune with its Maker. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
