Alas! And Did My Saviour Bleed

Yours truly found the following video by sheer coincidence while planning for hymns for the next Mass (6th Sunday after Pentecost) which falls in July, the month traditionally commemorating the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord. Simple, yet elegant tune, recalling the heavy price paid for our sins.

Alas! and did my Saviour bleed
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For sinners such as I?

Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine—
And bathed in its own blood—
While the firm mark of wrath divine,
His Soul in anguish stood.

Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker died,
For man the creature’s sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While His dear cross appears,
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt my eyes to tears.

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give my self away
’Tis all that I can do.

Organ Installation

Amazing video showing the installation of a church organ.

Nova Organi Harmonia

Maestro Jeff Ostrowski has graciously made available for free, the Nova Organi Harmonia Gregorian chant organ accompaniments here. Also listed are other accompaniment materials. This is definitely a treasure trove for church organists everywhere. This was made possible by Corpus Christi Watershed, the same non-profit Catholic institute for the arts that commissioned the Chabanel Psalms.

Dancing with the organ

This is amazing. It shows the organist playing J.S. Bach's Fugue in G minor. It's as if he's dancing with the organ. Thanks to the NLM again for unearthing such a gem.

Digital pipe organ

Here's an interesting thread from the CMAA Resource mailing list:
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According to tradition would it be ok to stop using the usual pipe organ in disrepair or close, for a digital substitute such as Allan or Johannes organs? At the moment my parish uses a Yamaha electric organ eventhough we have an old, though working pipe organ, *scream!!!*. Please forgive my informal post!

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The De musica of 1958 says:

B. The classic organ and similar instruments.

61. The principal musical instrument for solemn liturgical ceremonies of the Latin Church has been and remains the classic pipe organ.

62. An organ destined for liturgical use, even if small, should be designed according to the norms of organ building, and be equipped with the type of pipes suitable for sacred use. Before it is to be used it should be properly blessed, and as a sacred object, receive proper care.

63. Besides the classic organ, the harmonium or reed organ may also be used provided that its tonal quality, and volume are suitable for sacred use.

64. As a substitute, the electronic organ may be tolerated temporarily for liturgical functions, if the means for obtaining even a small pipe organ are not available. In each case, however, the explicit permission of the local Ordinary is required. He, on his part, should consult the diocesan commission on sacred music, and others trained in this field, who can make suggestions for rendering such an instrument more suitable for sacred use.

Electronic organs have come a long way since 1958. The wording of the final sentence suggests that the objection to the electronic organ was not the fact that it was electric but that it did not remotely sound like a pipe organ. Vatican II in Sacrosanctum Concilium (1963) has this to add:

120. In the Latin Church the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church's ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man's mind to God and to higher things.

But other instruments also may be admitted for use in divine worship, with the knowledge and consent of the competent territorial authority, as laid down in Art. 22, 52, 37, and 40. This may be done, however, only on condition that the instruments are suitable, or can be made suitable, for sacred use, accord with the dignity of the temple, and truly contribute to the edification of the faithful.

I should think this clearly permits use of a good electronic instrument, though the pipe organ still is the "official" instrument. After all, nothing but a pipe can really sound like a pipe. I think it is safe to say that all organs in heaven are pipe organs, although there may be a non-punitive limbo for decent electronic organs.
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Nothing can match the beautiful sound of a first-class pipe organ. However, if the choice is between a digital organ and a [digital] piano, guitar, drums, or other electronically amplified music instruments, the electronic organ would be preferable, until a proper pipe organ may be acquired.

Digital organs are NOT cheaper than pipe organs; they just don't live as long. If anyone wants more information on this topic, or some help to convince your parish please contact me.
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That's right. And a pipe organ will live for centuries, properly maintained.
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In fact a pipe organ, properly maintained, lasts indefinitely, whereas a digital organ is no organ at all but rather an electric appliance, which, like any other appliance, wears out after a while.