Disappearing Act Giaochino Rossini Giaochino Rossini, in his time, enjoyed a reputation as the most successful composer of operas in history. He created such enduring favorites as The Barber of Seville, La Cenerentola, and William Tell. Then, having composed an astounding 39 operas before his 37th birthday in 1829, he simply stopped. For the rest … Continue reading Giaochino Rossini: Agnus Dei
‘Dark Night of the Soul’ by Ola Gjeilo
Dark Night of the Soul My Monday Music selections are usually compositions from the treasury of Catholic sacred music, some of them centuries old. There are still some composers even today, however, who are composing music worthy of that tradition. A couple months ago I posted a setting to the "Te Deum" by Pedro Camacho. … Continue reading ‘Dark Night of the Soul’ by Ola Gjeilo
Not far from the Tree: Scarlatti’s “Te Deum” and Raphael’s “Disputation of the Holy Sacrament”
Last month we heard Alessandro Scarlatti's magnificent Exsultante Deo. Today we have anequally inspiring Te Deum from his son, Domenico Scarlatti (1685 - 1757). This apple didn't far fall at all.
Kyrie from Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis
When we think of Beethoven, Sacred Music might not be the first thing that comes to mind . . . but what he did compose was, as we might expect, moving, powerful, and simply beautiful.
In Time of War: Agnus Dei from Haydn’s Missa in Tempore Belli
In Time of War "In Time of War" can mean more than one kind of war. Spiritual Warfare has been a theme in a number of my posts. For good reason. While the struggle "against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in … Continue reading In Time of War: Agnus Dei from Haydn’s Missa in Tempore Belli
Glorifying God: Scarlatti’s “Exultate Deo” and “Jesus Christ the Returning King”
Glorifying God It’s only natural that the children of a loving Father should try to please and honor him. And so for the past two thousand years, Christians have put untold effort, ingenuity and love into creating a magnificent store of inspiring art of all sorts to glorify God, including a treasury of sacred … Continue reading Glorifying God: Scarlatti’s “Exultate Deo” and “Jesus Christ the Returning King”
“Gloria” from Wanhal’s Missa Solemnis
It's hard to overstate how much beautiful, excellent music has been created over the centuries, and how much of it is rarely heard by the vast majority of people. Last week I published a clip of a "Kyrie" composed by Johann Baptist Wanhal. Wanhal was an important and influential composer of the late 18th and early 19th … Continue reading “Gloria” from Wanhal’s Missa Solemnis
Hidden Treasure: “Kyrie” From Wanhal’s Missa Pastoralis
Wanhal and his beautiful compositions are indeed hidden treasure. Thanks to the work of the Wanhal Association and others, Wanhal's beautiful work, both sacred and secular, is slowly making its way back into public view.
Monteverdi’s ‘Nisi Dominus’: Arrows in the Hand of a Warrior
Nisi Dominus: Unless the Lord Builds the House . . . Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) was probably the most important composer in the transition from Renaissance Polyphony to Baroque. This beautiful piece from his Vespers composition, Vespro della Beata Vergine (1610), is a musical setting for Psalm 127 (sometimes listed as Psalm 126). This particular psalm (printed … Continue reading Monteverdi’s ‘Nisi Dominus’: Arrows in the Hand of a Warrior
Infinite Trinity, Finite Minds
So you and I are in good company if we find TheTrinity challenging. Fortunately, even if the philosophical explanations elude us, we can know the Triune God through the experience of Faith. Thanks be to God. And after all, isn't through experience, and not intellect, that we come to know love?