Theology in Music

A blog considering theology as illustrated by Western Art Music

Eschatology

  • Peace among torments

    It seems potentially unjust that we are in the second year of weekly blog posts before I first reflect on a work by the giant of English Choral Music that Charles Williers Stanford undoubtedly is: giant of English Choral Music despite being Irish in origin. Probably early works, his three motets (opus 38) are unusual… Read more

  • A Call that pierces the night

    So closely do I, an organist, associate the first Schübler Chorale (BWV 645) with Advent, that I always find myself surprised to remember – even though I know I have known it for a long time – that the cantata on which it is based (BWV 140) was written not for Advent Sunday, but for the… Read more

  • Awaiting the resurrection of the dead

    Yesterday was Armistice day, and although there are a number of pieces of music that could be selected to mark that occasion. For me, inevitably, the first to come to mind is the work commissioned by André Malraux, Minister of Cultural Affairs in France, from Olivier Messiaen in 1963 as a sacred work to commemorate… Read more

  • Purgatorial dreaming

    The conclave concluded nearly a week ago, and yet because these posts are delivered on Wednesdays this is the first occasion on which this particular blog can use Pope Leo XIV as a springboard for one of our reflections. That said, apart from an unsubstantiated (indeed repudiated) internet rumour which probably began as a joke… Read more