The Jewish Musical Tradition The roots of Christian music lies in the Jewish tradition of antiquity but we can know very little of how such music was performed - though contemporary synagogue music of Yemen and Iraq may have changed little in the past 2000 years. Translations of the names of musical instruments are notably impossible: the presence of a hurdy-gurdy, dulcimer, organ and viol into Reformation English translations, are widely anachronistic! However the Bible does tell us of the 288 musicians which led King David’s procession (1 Chron 15:16-28). The musical instruments found in the Old Testament and their rough modern equivalents are: Khali (flute), Khatsotsrah (trumpet), Kinnor (lyre), Msiltayim (cymbals), Nebel (unknown), Pamonim (bells), Shophar (ram’s horn), and Toph (drum). As for vocal musicians the Temple choir consisted of twelve men and boys (no women), incidentally exactly the same configuration at St Albans Cathedral Choir! Their training was five years. Call and response styles were often used (as now) in places where people did not have access to musical books. The psalms are often linked with particular liturgical occasions, and contain musical instructions. However no one knows what the ubiquitous instruction ‘selah’ means. Four musical instruments are mentioned in the New Testament, lyre, trumpet and cymbals, and a new addition: Aulos (pipe). It is with the disappearance of the Temple that the chant emerges. Immediately after the loss of the Temple (AD70), music was banned in the synagogues as a lament. Slowly it returned but in a more austere style: the shofar was the only instrument used, the choir gave way to the single voice of the cantor, and the recitation of the Scriptures began from the sixth century to use simple chants known as neumes. The early Christian tradition Acts frequently remarks of the joyful and common singing of psalms and hymns by the first Christians. Much of that tradition was obviously continuous with synagogue worship, though other styles also influenced their music, with a strong emphasis on improvisation and dance. The Greeks were also more or less obsessed with music, philosophers such as Pythagoras and Plato thought that music literally bore the secrets of the universe and human souls (the Rector can bore on about this for quite a time if you are interested). Hymns probably emerge from the Greek tradition with the Lord God substituted for the numerous deities of the Greek pantheon . However early Christian music was entirely vocal: instrumental music was associated with secular and pagan rites. In many places and ages such reservations about instrumental music have persisted. In several places of the New Testament we find passages that are clearly Christians hymns or canticles already in use: the Magnificat, Benedictus, Philippians 2:6-11, etc. In 1909 The Odes of Solomon a collection of 42 first century Christians hymns were discovered. Perhaps the most important development from the third century onwards was the daily office (from which we get Morning and Evening Prayer), the prayers said by Christian communities (often monastic communities) at several points in the day. These began to be formalised, and included much singing of psalms and hymns. From the same time are found the The Welwyn Team Ministry Lent Course 2013 Music ‘The Greatest Good that Mortals know’ Week 1: The music of eternity: Plainsong Monday 7.30pm with meal All Saints Church Hall, Datchworth, Led by Susannah Underwood, 01438 817183 Tuesday 8pm, 11 Heath Road, Woolmer Green, Led by Lucy Dallas and hosted by Penny and Nigel Howes, 01438 716742 Wednesday 10.30am St Mary’s New Church House, Led by David Munchin, 01438 714150 Wednesday 7.30pm 60 Orchard Road, Tewin, Led by Ted Sharpe and Mick Simmons, 01438 798594 Wednesday 8pm 1 Codicote Road, Welwyn, AL6 9LY, Led and hosted by Mike and Gay Carpenter, 01438 718439 Thursday 7.15pm Bring and Share Supper, 8pm Study Group, St Mary’s New Church House, Usha and Colin Hull, 01438 813974 Friday 9.30am Time for God Group, Contact Margot Kenworthy, 01438 718732 Each Lent Group will organise itself in a different way. The Objective of our groups is to hear and reflect on music that shapes and informs the Christian Tradition Each week we will hear something of the various genres of music that we find within the Christian churches. Some we will like, some will not be to our taste. Each week we will provide some information and history of that particular genre to read together. As well as some suggestions for listening and perhaps performing. Participants are encouraged to bring along music from that particular genre that they love and to share it with the group. Adventurous groups are encouraged to try and sing or play some music together. Again there may be people in the group who can help with that. We will also suggest music that you might like to listen to. We will also suggest questions that you might like to ask yourself, about how that music speaks to you. With music there are few right and wrong answers, and we ask you to respect and appreciate differences of taste within our congregations. “For ever consecrate the day, To music and Cecilia; Music, the greatest good that mortals know, And all of heaven we have below.” From Song for St Cecilia’s Day Stanza III by Joseph Addison (1672-1719)