The Catholic Church and Her Magisterium define sacred music in Ecclesial Documents. In Catholicism there are specifics in the liturgy that describe the requirements for sacred music. Sacred music is not for ordinary usage and not for use by anyone outside the church. Sacred music is blessed and unique. The Catholic Church and Her Sacred Liturgies are the only ones who should use sacred music. Music plays an important role in the liturgy and the most beautiful music of Holy Week is the Gregorian chant. Gregorian chant is beautiful in both senses as prescribed by Catholic scholars; it is something that pleases those who hear it and is of splendid form. When people witness the type of sacred beauty offered by the scared music of the church they fill with delight. Gregorian chant is the music that performs the essential function for the liturgy. The papal document Motu proprio of St. Pius X, Tra le sollecitudini (1903) explains the correct formula for sacred music. First, it expresses notions that translate as “holiness, beauty, and universality” (Mahrt 2006). These are the characteristics of Gregorian chant. Baroque sacred music emerged during the 1600s. Catholic composers intended this music for church use only. Baroque sacred music was so exuberant that non-religious groups in the monarchy as well as civic groups embraced it. A cappella form was standard for Baroque and Gregorian chant (Hickok 1993). However, during the Renaissance musical instruments were sometimes added to mimic the human voice. In essence these instruments were singing was often used for the Mass.
References
Hickok, Robert. Exploring Music. Dubuque, Iowa: Brown & Benchmark, 1993. Print.
Mahrt, W. "Articles Gregorian Chant As a Paradigm of Sacred Music." Sacred Music. 133.1 (2006): 5-20. Print.
Muir, T E. Roman Catholic Church Music in England, 1791-1914: A Handmaid of the Liturgy? Aldershot, Hampshire, England Burlington, VT: Ashgate, 2008. Internet resource.
Rodin, Jesse. Josquin's Rome: Hearing and Composing in the Sistine Chapel. New York: Oxford University Press, 2012. Internet resource.
Online Documents
Music, Coptic. Macmillan, 1991. Internet resource.
