Fickle Fame Fickle Fame is a confounding thing. It's often the way that a well-regarded artist falls out of fashion. Despite the worthiness of his or her work, the artist is forgotten by subsequent generations. Even truly great artists can meet this fate: The 16th century poet John Donne was largely unknown until another poet, … Continue reading Fickle Fame and Salieri’s “Gloria”
I Rejoiced! Monteverdi’s “Laetatus Sum”
The New Testament, as St. Augustine pointed out, is concealed in the Old, and the Old Testament is revealed in the New. And, here, beautifully put to music.
Sacred Music: Allegri’s Adoremus in Aeternum
Sacred music is a topic near and dear to my hear. More importantly, it is dear to the heart of the Church. Consider what the Second Vatican Council had to say . . .
Crucifixus Etiam Pro Nobis: Lotti’s Musical Meditation on the Crucifixion
The Crucifixion, by Giambattista Tiepolo & Giandomenico Tiepolo, 1745–50 Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato: Passus, et sepultus est. (Nicene Creed) Crucifixus Etiam Pro Nobis Crucifixus etiam pro nobis: He was also crucified for us. That brief statement in the Nicene Creed refers to one of the two most important events of all … Continue reading Crucifixus Etiam Pro Nobis: Lotti’s Musical Meditation on the Crucifixion
Our Goal is the Resurrection: Ain’t No Grave
Our Goal is the Resurrection Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast. (Introit for the 4th Sunday of Lent) Our Goal is Almost in Sight Why rejoice in the middle of Lent? Isn't Lent a solemn and penitential season? And haven't … Continue reading Our Goal is the Resurrection: Ain’t No Grave
The Spirit of Lent: Two Choruses from Handel’s Messiah
The Spirit of Lent Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5-4) Capturing the … Continue reading The Spirit of Lent: Two Choruses from Handel’s Messiah
Fear and Hope: Confutatis and Lacrimosa from Mozart’s Requiem
Fear and Hope are the twin themes of the "Confutatis and Lacrimosa" from Mozart's Requiem. If thou, O LORD, shouldst mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope . . . (Psalm … Continue reading Fear and Hope: Confutatis and Lacrimosa from Mozart’s Requiem
The Drama of Sin and Repentance (or not) From Mozart’s Don Giovanni (Music Monday)
Hell is a real possibility for all of us. It's not a happy thought, but it's an appropriate introduction to today's Music Monday selection, our last musical offering before Ash Wednesday. It's not really sacred music, but it is very relevant indeed to the Lenten themes of sin, repentance (or not), and damnation. This is the finale* of Mozart's opera Don Giovanni (a.k.a. Don Juan), one of the most powerful scenes in the history of musical drama.
Before the Storm: The Finale to Haydn’s The Creation
We've been looking at selections from Haydn's oratorio The Creation over the past few weeks . Last week we saw the overture, "Chaos," a musical representation of the state of disorder that prevailed before God created the universe. The selection before that was "The Heavens are Telling," based on Psalm 19. This piece comes at the end … Continue reading Before the Storm: The Finale to Haydn’s The Creation
A Musical Evocation of Chaos by Joseph Haydn
Last week’s musical selection was “The Heavens are Telling” from Joseph Haydn’s masterpiece, an oratorio called The Creation. There are three parts to the oratorio as a whole. The first part deals with the creation of the heavens and earth, and inanimate things such as light, water, land and plants.The subject of the second part … Continue reading A Musical Evocation of Chaos by Joseph Haydn