I address my song to the king (cf. Ps 45, 2 ). The category of musical bea-
uty in the liturgical celebration
The beauty of music at the service of the liturgical celebration. Derived from the
biblical evidence (cf. Ps 45) and theology (cf. J. Ratzinger / Benedict XVI), the beauty of
liturgical music leads to an encounter with God, who is the most perfect Beauty. Three
types of liturgical music: vocal, instrumental and choral, offer countless opportunities
to reach the Beauty. They create not only a richness of touching the Mystery, but direct,
intuitive encounter with God. Among the various genres of music associated with the
liturgy of the Church the ones that are especially worth noting are those recorded in the
traditions and laws: Gregorian chant, Palestrina’s polyphony, Church song, organ music
and choral music with its wide range of performing arrangements (soloists, choir, and
orchestra). All of these, confirmed by the history of music, and recorded in the docu -ments of the Church, are demanding reliable and aesthetic updates in relation to the
knowledge of “the spirit of the liturgy” (cf. Joseph Ratzinger). This requirement calls
for a series of actions of formation (on the musical, liturgical and spiritual level). The
proposals placed in the article (responsorial psalm, choral music for worship and organ
music at the end) are examples of how specifically the beauty called for by the docu-ments, written in the liturgical texts – is to be incarnated into the time and space of the
liturgical celebration.