CONGREGATIONAL PSALMODY.

Evening Star, Issue 3176, 25 April 1873, Page 2

CONGREGATIONAL PSALMODY.

To the Editor. Sir, —With your permission I will reply to your correspondent’s letter signed a “ Lover of Harmony,” and as he has occupied your space at length, I will be as brief as possible. He gives an instance of a choir breaking down in that simple tune “Redemption.” Now, I beg to differ from “A Lover’’—the tune is not a simple one, but more of the nature of an anthem, and should never be used till the congregation have been well trained iu it. He says the choir contained some of the best voices of the Choral .Society ; now it is a well-known fact that Choral Societies have singers who do not read their notes, but simply learn them from the instruments or leaders, therefore the breaking down of any choir is not to be wondered at. He says the tune “ Arnold’s ” is of a calm, confidential sentiment. Again I differ from him ; it is of a joyous character, and in Scottish Psalmody is set to the words ; “ Let all the earth unto the Lord send forth a joyful noise; Lift up your voice aloud to him—sing praises and rejoice.” What can be more joyful ? Surely a tune suited to those words must be of a joyous character, and, moreover, it is harmonised principally with the chords of tonic, subdorainant, and dominant, the bold chords of the sca’e. He asks me to explain how a tune can be sung boisterously and in good time. Now, boisterously meaning violent or noisy, a tune may be sung slowly and yet noisy, and quickly and yet softly. Regarding the chant “Charlet,” I said the gloria ended in an abrupt stacatto. Now, surely, this does not bring out properly the meaning of the word, “Amen.” The sentiment of the 89th Psalm, 13th and 14th verses, is adoration: see emotional classifications of Psalms in “Scottish Psalmody.” “A Lover” had better examine it again, and when he has found the true sentiment, let him admire it.

]n speaking of tbe 23rd Psalm, he says, “When some men meet with the word ‘ death,’ or its equivalent, the thought must be of necessity be solemn.” Should not all praise in the great congregation be solemn ? I still maintain that the words, “Yea, though I walk,” Ac., should be sung much softer than the concluding lines, “And in God’s house for evermore,” Ac

Our friend suggests the meeting of the several choirs together for practice. This I heartily endorse. In a town with a less population than Dunedin, 1 have seen twelve choirs meet periodically for practice. The result was that they learned to sing together as one grand choir. In one congregation there were four choirs, who took their turn of the singing, led by the same precentor, so that there were trained singers in all parts of the church. This was the best congregational singing I have ever beard. If “A Lover of Harmony” can do anything to further the cause of Psalmody, I will do all that lies in my power to help him in the good work. —lam, Ac., A Lover of Psalmody. Dunedin, April 23.