organ transplants
I've been thinking alot about music in the church and why people are so stuck in the "organ and nothing else" rut. Is there really something wrong with other instruments? Why is it so important to so many people?
Well, I'm not actually going to answer those questions. I have uncovered a rather interesting tidbit of info, however.
Now, I am sure that you all have heard the argument that drums are evil because they originated in pagan rituals where they were used to drive people into a state of frenzy. It's a pretty weak argument, because I am pretty sure drums and rythmn have been around for alot longer than pagan rituals. I am pretty sure that at some point, drums were used to worship the devil. They probably still are. But has anyone looked at where the organ came from?
If you guessed ancient Rome, then you guessed right. We are talking origins being traced back to 800 B.C. In fact, if you look here, there is some pretty convincing evidence that the organ, in one of it's earliest forms, was used "in the competitions that characterized both Greek and Roman cultural life. Its use as an instrument for solo performance, as well as for providing accompaniments to other games and even combat is well-documented. As the largest, most highly developed - - even the most complicated musical instrument in use, the hydraulis held a position in the ancient world that the organ would maintain in modern times even to the end of the twentieth century."
I realize I am making assumptions here, but when I hear "Roman cultural life" and "games", I think of Christians being ripped apart by wild animals.
It could be true, it could not be true; we probably won't ever know. I think it is at least as convincing as the "pagan drums" argument.
Awesome thing that happened today: Principal Instrument class made sense.
Well, I'm not actually going to answer those questions. I have uncovered a rather interesting tidbit of info, however.
Now, I am sure that you all have heard the argument that drums are evil because they originated in pagan rituals where they were used to drive people into a state of frenzy. It's a pretty weak argument, because I am pretty sure drums and rythmn have been around for alot longer than pagan rituals. I am pretty sure that at some point, drums were used to worship the devil. They probably still are. But has anyone looked at where the organ came from?
If you guessed ancient Rome, then you guessed right. We are talking origins being traced back to 800 B.C. In fact, if you look here, there is some pretty convincing evidence that the organ, in one of it's earliest forms, was used "in the competitions that characterized both Greek and Roman cultural life. Its use as an instrument for solo performance, as well as for providing accompaniments to other games and even combat is well-documented. As the largest, most highly developed - - even the most complicated musical instrument in use, the hydraulis held a position in the ancient world that the organ would maintain in modern times even to the end of the twentieth century."I realize I am making assumptions here, but when I hear "Roman cultural life" and "games", I think of Christians being ripped apart by wild animals.
It could be true, it could not be true; we probably won't ever know. I think it is at least as convincing as the "pagan drums" argument.
Awesome thing that happened today: Principal Instrument class made sense.
posted by Ryan at Friday, November 03, 2006
7 Comments:
hmmm, there's something to think about.... The basic concept was developed by a Greek, though.
yeah, if you read the article I linked up, it talkes about how it originaly came from Greece, but it became more widely used in the Roman Empire.
yeah...well thats why we use the organ in church now a days... its symbolic of persecution and suffering that we must endure...even if it rips us apart at the eardrums. see...there is a good reason for it!
Anton
I'm sure every instrument has been twisted into pagan worship at some time or another...it's so sad. Apparently the organ is no different! The funny thing is that the organ as church instrument is a relatively new thing on the scale of the history of Christianity, yet today it is the accepted instrument for sacred use.
On another note (fret), I played in Anton's home church last Sunday--the revolution has begun! :D Piano and guitar...it went over really well. People in your church are so encouraging, Anton!
that was brilliant, anton. lol
I was thinking 'games' like chariot races, and the mock-naval battles... those would lend themselves more to having a soundtrack. Gladiator fights/persecutions... maybe.
Personally i prefer the piano (which is what we use, because the organ bothers the resident epileptic), but the organ is effective in filling the church... everyone can hear it well. And i think that's why it's used.. or at least one reason. Of course, if you plug in your guitar...
I advocate use of more instruments, as long as they ACCOMPANY... as opposed to leading. The focus should be the singers and what they're singing. instruments just keep ya on key.
organs are used at hockey games.............
The organ is the worest sounding catastrophe.
But i like the bagpipes and some could argue that they sound horrible. they are wrong but i can see where they are coming from, they were made to sound horrible to scare off the English!
anywho, the organ in church: it works well as an accomping instrument. for some reason it seems to suck all the joy out of the singing. or maybe that's just the congregation's lack of joy in singing?
Post a Comment
<< Home