Are concerts of profane, not sacral, classical music allowed in a church?

Does attendance constitute a sin?

Quote from: ServusInutilisDomini 8/13/2022, 2:49:09 PM
Are concerts of profane, not sacral, classical music allowed in a church?

Does attendance constitute a sin?

Your title and your post are not in sync.

Many classical artists contributed to music for the mass:
- beethoven
- brahms
- Hayden
- Vivaldi
- bach
- Mozart
- verdi
- Dvorak
And others.

The first musical canon had appeared in France in 1288.

The Bible is full of verses which encourage us to sing to the Lord.

As for having a concert in church, this seems to answer it well:

Canon law 1210 "Only those things which serve the exercise or promotion of worship, piety, or religion are permitted in a sacred place; anything not consonant with the holiness of the place is forbidden. In an individual case, however, the ordinary can permit other uses which are not contrary to the holiness of the place."

Sacred space should almost always only be used for sacred events. A church is not a public gathering space or hall; it is dedicated to the worship of Almighty God.

Obviously there are many classic religious pieces of music that were written for churches and to be performed in churches. Concerts of this type make sense to take place in a church. Though they are not liturgical, they are explicitly designed to raise our attention to worship of God.

Secular music concerts are not permitted in churches. Music that is not religious in nature is not appropriate in sacred space dedicated to worship. To permit merely secular music reduces the space to a simple rental hall.

https://www.catholic.com/qa/concerts-in-churches

I understand very well that composers wrote sacral music, that is why I specified profane, non sacral.

I was interested to know whether a concert of something like Vivaldi's Four Seasons was permissible in a church.

Is this a use contrary to the holiness of the place? I understand it is not desirable but is it sinful?

According to my interpretation of this invalid 1983 canon it is allowed and not sinful.

I haven't found a canon in the 1917 code yet.

While others have answered the question, I personally don't really care for the "Classical Music" Masses ... during sacred ceremonies.  I know that there was a great deal of debate by Church leaders over whether to admit even polyphonic chant.  They did finally give their approval because it seemed to them to meet the requirements for sacred music.  To summarize, for them the music during a sacred liturgy had to sound like a prayer and not a performance or entertainment.  Polyphony met their requirements, but I doubt that most classical music pieces would.  That's separate from whether outside of a sacred ceremony, it would be OK, but -- I don't know -- perhaps the Blessed Sacrament should be removed.  Just some idle thoughts.

I understand very well that composers wrote sacral music, that is why I specified profane, non sacral.

I was interested to know whether a concert of something like Vivaldi's Four Seasons was permissible in a church.

Is this a use contrary to the holiness of the place? I understand it is not desirable but is it sinful?

According to my interpretation of this invalid 1983 canon it is allowed and not sinful.

I haven't found a canon in the 1917 code yet.

As I mentioned, your title and your OP are not in sync.

I answered your title: yes, classical music is allowed in Church. 

To answer your OP, concerts are NEVER allowed in Church.  (However, I was told by a trad priest it is o.k. to attend a concert at a (small "c") church, provided the concert is in a hall and not the area of false worship.)