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?
The Pentecost Sequence
The Pentecost Sequence Today would be Monday in the Octave of Pentecost in the traditional liturgical calendar. Although the Octave of Pentecost has not been observed in the Ordinary Form of the Mass since 1969 (for more on this liturgical change, with feeling, see HERE and HERE on Fr. Z's blog), it would be a shame … Continue reading The Pentecost Sequence
Fickle Fame and Salieri’s “Gloria”
Fickle Fame Antonio Salieri, by Joseph Willibrord Mähler, 1815 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 … Continue reading Fickle Fame and Salieri’s “Gloria”
More Than a Building: What is a Church?
More Than a Building In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . . (John 1:1,4) Any truly Christian anthropology needs to start with the Gospel of John, chapter 1. The incorporeal Eternal … Continue reading More Than a Building: What is a Church?
Lobet Gott in Seinen Reichen (from Bach’s Ascension Oratorio)
Ascension Thursday This coming Thursday is the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord . . . at least in many dioceses. And of course, wherever the traditional liturgical calendar is followed. It may not surprise you, if you are a regular reader of this blog, that I'm not a fan of moving important feasts like … Continue reading Lobet Gott in Seinen Reichen (from Bach’s Ascension Oratorio)
Regina Caeli, by Gregor Aichinger (Easter Music)
Regina Caeli by Gregor Aichinger The Regina Caeli ("Queen of Heaven") is a prayer that we closely associate with Easter. We usually recite this prayer instead of the Angelus during the Easter Season. At this time it also serves as the Marian Antiphon at the end of Compline (Night Prayer). Numerous composers have set it … Continue reading Regina Caeli, by Gregor Aichinger (Easter Music)
Ever Young, Ever Old: Pedro Camacho’s Te Deum
I have always appreciated the way the Te Deum does so much so succinctly. In just a few lines we are reminded of the sweep of Salvation History, the Communion of Saints, the Doctrine of the Trinity, the Mission of Jesus Christ from Bethlehem to the New Jerusalem, and all in the form of a joyful song of praise to our God.
Exult in God: Palestrina’s Exultate Deo (Sacred Music for Easter)
While music has grown in technique and complexity since then, even the greatest composers of past 500 years haven't been able to surpass the sheer musical loveliness of the works of polyphonic composers such as Victoria, Tallis, Byrd, and Palestrina.