Those of us working in church music can easily believe our church's liturgical/aesthetic struggles are unique.
Well, not so. This article by a Greek Orthodox priest highlights the issue of music in the Greek churches. In the late 19th century, Byzantine chant was simplified to conform to Western harmonic principles (there went the microtones!) and harmonized. Complex polyphonic arrangements developed and the texts disappeared in the welter of parts and fugal entrances. Since decreasing numbers of congregants could understand the Greek, the emphasis shifted to melody and (probably) emotional/aesthetic considerations.
Times have changed. In English-speaking countries, English is now the dominant liturgical language for many Greek Orthodox churches and there is a move to develop forms of chant, based on the Byzantine model, which will accommodate English texts. And there is understandable resistance. What about all that beautiful music? What about not hearing "what we're used to"? Of course, the bottom line for reformers is the text vs. music. Sound familiar?
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