But the proper function of the Organ is to support church singing and to stimulate devotional feeling. The composer therefore must not write music for it which is congruous to secular surroundings. What is commonplace and trite can neither impress the hearer nor excite devotional feeling. It must therefore be banished from the Organ-loft. How clearly Bach grasped that fact!
-- Johann Nikolaus Forkel, 1802
The pipe organ is to be held in high esteem in the Latin Church, for it is the traditional musical instrument, the sound of which can add a wonderful splendour to the Church's ceremonies and powerfully lifts up people's minds to God and to higher things.
-- Sacrosanctum Concilium, 1963
At its finest, the organ has two functions: to support singing and to stimulate devotional feeling. The first function presumes two conditions: there is singing to support, and that the song sung is not commonplace, trite, and appropriate for a secular event. Both conditions are rarely met. The second function is fulfilled today in perhaps only the finest churches.
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