46.—AN UNORTHODOX CREED.
It is frequently the case in church music that some serious or sacred words are used as a mere peg on which to hang a display of musical ability. In some cases the value of the musical composition causes us to forget the absurdity of the continued repetition of the same word or words. This is the case in the "Amen" chorus in the "Messiah." Händel has here given a fine contrapuntal display on the word "Amen," and evolved a long fugal chorus.
In other cases where the musical talent is not so great, continual repetition can hardly be forgiven.
It frequently occurs in the Latin service that parts of sentences must be repeated; and in order that the sense may be preserved the composer must have a good knowledge of the Latin. Otherwise he is liable to make some such blunder as did Porpora, Haydn's teacher, who once, in setting the Latin creed to music, arranged his words thus: "Credo, non credo, non credo in Deum." The church authorities were scandalized by such a sentiment expressed in a church service, and it was only by his explaining that he was ignorant of the Latin and did not mean to say he did not trust in God, that he saved himself from the terrors of the inquisition.
He was not the only composer that has set unorthodox words to his music. Many lesser lights in our own days are grinding out church music that is said to "combine poor poetry, bad music, and worse theology."