organs

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church | 2000 | 700+ words | Copyright

organs. The organ was a purely secular instrument until the 10th cent., when it began to appear in major churches. Its role is largely unknown until c.1400, when the alternating of organ verses with plainsong or polyphony sung by the choir became an established custom in both the Mass and Office. This continued as a common practice, especially in France, until the 19th cent., but in Lutheran churches in Germany it gave way to the development of the organ chorale. From the early 17th cent. the organ provided simple accompaniment for some choral music; its present predominant role of leading congregational singing developed gradually from the 17th cent. In the second half of the 20th cent. electronic organs for economic reasons replaced pipe organs in many churches, but are a poor substitute.

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E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "organs." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "organs." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-organs.html

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "organs." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-organs.html

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