PaulS
posted on Jan 13, 2003 - 02:40 AM
You're more than welcome to disagree, Maher.
However, coming out of the Institute, it's almost common knowledge that Cairo is the real mecca of hymns. The mu'allimeen who are outside of Cairo were shunned back in the day of Mu'allim Mikhail and they are still somewhat shunned now. For example, listen to the recording on the life of M. Sadek. You will see his attitude towards mu'allimeen from other localities.
Of course, Mu'allim Tewfik was an exception, because Mu'allim Mikhail welcomed and embraced him. However, as Mu'allim Sadek points out, even Mu'allim Tewfiks tunes were somewhat different than those of Mu'allim Mikhail.
So, my general belief is that the Institute, which received its tradition directly from Mu'allim Mikhail, should be the first priority. In the event that the Institute did not record a hymn, then we can of course look to other mu'allimeen, because a different hymn in hand is better than no hymn at all. In the case of the Apocalypse, though, the Institute's recording appears to be complete. Since I know the Institute received its tradition from Mu'allim Mikhail, I will go by what they say.
Finally, since I possess almost everything Mu'allim Tewfik has recorded and respect him as a teacher greatly, I will add one more point. I think this new trend among deacons to flock to Mu'allim Tewfik stems from the fact that (a) he's different and (b) he's the only remaining great mu'allim alive. With respect to (a), I've seen many deacons do things in liturgies and elsewhere just to be different, regardless of whether it's right. Their wisdom is that if they can say a hymn differently, they will somehow wow everyone else or prove themselves to be more knowledgeable or something (I really don't know what's going on in their minds). Since Mu'allim Tewfik says things a bit differently, it's now the "cool" thing to do. With respect to (b), because Mu'allim Tewfik is the last great cantor alive, he is getting a lot of attention from our hymns-thirsty deacons who were not part of the generation that preserved hymns. It's an understandable reaction, since we all want to go out there and absorb everything so we can preserve our wonderful heritage.
The reality, however, is that Mu'allim Mikhail's way has endured for the longest time, and as Mu'allim Sadek points out, he received all of his hymns from the "correct" and "old" sources when he was alive. Because he was really the first meaningful professor at the Institute, and because he taught the teachers who taught the teachers that teach today, I am inclined to go with the Institute whenever there is a conflict.
That's just my view, of course, and what I do with my own deacons at church. Other people may have different views, which we should all respect.
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PaulS
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