Music and Liturgy in Contemporary Times

: (De)tuning the liturgy in the tension between Brazilian traditions, trends and cultures

Abstract

This article aims to create a debate and provoke tension between Music - Liturgy - Contemporaneity based on constitutive elements such as traditions, trends and cultures in Brazil and in general. The question at stake is how to relate liturgy and music, understanding liturgy itself and music as the result of a permanent process of relationship between tradition and contemporaneity. How do we "tune" liturgy and music? How can they be "out of tune" when the harmonies don't correspond to what worship is: a living, symbolic, ritual and musical expression of the Gospel? The article approaches the subject as if it were a house, with each perspective being a window that sheds light on the relationship and tension. The first point is the window on the very concept of worship and liturgy. What is meant by liturgy and worship? Next is the window on worship music. What makes a particular piece of music worship music? Is it the text, the melody, the harmony, the rhythm, the instruments, the person composing or performing the music or the place where it is performed? The third window is the window of the Protestant Reformation. What light can we get from this 500-year-old window (and it's been a few years)? Then a fourth window opens, the window of inculturation or liturgical decolonisation. How do music and liturgy relate to culture, context and politics? Or: Is there a difference between the music of worship and that of "the world", between sacred and profane, traditional and contemporary music? What kind of society does music create? Finally, the window of contemporaneity is opened (perhaps only half a window). Having illuminated the house with the light that comes from these five windows, we can outline some criteria and principles for thinking about contemporary music and liturgy in Brazil.