French Organ Mass

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The French Organ Mass is a type of Low Mass that came into use during the Baroque Era. Essentially it is a Low Mass with organ music playing throughout.

Before the 1950s, Low Mass, unlike Solemn Mass or High Mass, was said in a low voice by priest and server(s). The congregation in attendance at Low Mass did not participate audibly and either followed along with their Missals or silently said prayers during Mass. In France the custom arose of playing the organ during Low Mass to add to the devotion of the faithful. Certainly, this was done by improvisation at first, but later, composers wrote pieces whose mood corresponded to the different parts of the Mass.

[edit] Composers of French Organ Masses

• Jean Nicolas Geoffroy (1633 - 1694)
• Nicolas de Grigny (1672 - 1703)
• François Couperin (1668 – 1733)

[edit] See also

• Deutsche Singmesse.