Famed film composer lauds Gregorian chant, criticizes contemporary church music

September 16th, 2009

I’m not a religious kind of guy, but I was interested in a recent statement by Ennio Morricone, the Academy Award-winning composer who has written scores for more than 500 films, including The Mission and The Untouchables, when he lauded Pope Benedict’s attempts to promote Gregorian chant in the sacred liturgy.

What do you think?  Is music in church too ‘happy-clappy’ and does it need to be more serious?

Having studied church music, I’m obviously drawn to the wonderful polyphonic writing of many Renaissance church composers.  On the other hand, as I’m not religious, maybe pop music is what people today need to entice them into church.

Should we need entertaining in church?

Do we need a film composer to point the way, anyway?

So many questions and I have no answers!  Maybe you do – let me know.

Read more about Morricone’s thoughts at www.catholicculture.org

Post to Twitter