Theology in Music

A blog considering theology as illustrated by Western Art Music

Lent

  • In simple adoration

    In the week of Mothering Sunday, I am reminded that Volume 15 number 86 (December 1951) of Ohio’s Lorenz Music Publishing’s The Organ Portfolio, contains a short piece for organ entitled Adoration. It is by Florence Price, and has become popular, often in rearranged form – the solo violin version seems particularly prominent. Price was Read more

  • A Hymne to Christ

    In 1619 John Donne travelled to Germany as a ‘chaplain’ on a diplomatic mission. Before setting out he penned a poem entitled A Hymn to Christ, at the Author’s last going into Germany. In 1940, when others were heading from England to Germany at considerable cost (I am not sure about the idea of war Read more

  • Imploring for faith

    In 1970 French organist Jean Langlais wrote a composition for the organ competition at the Paris Conservatoire; a technically demanding piece he entitled Imploration pour la joie, and was probably an expression of happiness in his personal life. He added to it two further Implorations after the one for joy: one for indulgence, which could Read more

  • How wretched am I really, and what do I need to do about it?

    Another composer who is likely to have been awaited by readers of a blog with this title is the great J Sebastian Bach, mountain of the North German musical landscape and foundation stone of much teaching of music theory. Ash Wednesday gives me an excuse to return to a set work from my A Level Read more