Against the Harpsichord
by Dan MollerWe mustn't turn music, in its most complex and profound form, into a museum, dedicated only to reenacting the past. Continue Reading »
Contrapuntal Order
by John AhernAround the start of the seventeenth century, a new sense of the word “harmony” emerged. To that point, harmony in music had been produced by the pleasing opposition of two melodies according to the principles of counterpoint. In the 1600s, “harmony” began to denote the non-melodic . . . . Continue Reading »
Post-Pentecostal Depression
by Robert P. ImbelliWe need festal time, to express our full joy at the coming of the Holy Spirit. Continue Reading »
Harmony and the Scriptures: Lenten Reflections on Harnoncourt and Bach
by Michael Maria WaldsteinI became aware of the clash between Harnoncourt and Richter, right around the time when my own musical taste became more mature and critical, at age fifteen or sixteen. I was a Richterian; Harnoncourt struck me as harsh and uncouth. Continue Reading »
Christ's Three-Fold Coming in Music
by Nathaniel PetersWhen taken neat, the Oratorio’s musical beauty and theological simplicity drive home the power of Christ’s coming in all its forms. Continue Reading »
Briefly Noted
by Elliot MilcoSaint Paul Lives Here (In Minnesota)by zach czaiawipf and stock, 66 pages, $7.50 A fter years of controversy over the mishandling of sexual predators among the priests of his archdiocese, Archbishop of Minneapolis-St. Paul John Nienstedt resigned last June. Now facing criminal prosecution, the . . . . Continue Reading »
No Apology for Bach's Theology
by Nathaniel PetersAs the cantor of Leipzig, Bach was responsible for composing music for Sunday services, which produced reams of choral music, mostly cantatas. Because of this, it would be difficult to find a composer who wrote more sacred music. Like Victoria and Bruckner, Bach’s works stem from his own devotion. But more than any other composer, Bach uses complex music to articulate theology. . . . Continue Reading »
The Tragedy of the Resurrection
by Carl R. TruemanPace common wisdom, the resurrection makes human life truly tragic.
Continue Reading »
Happy Birthday Dear Sebastian!
by Paul T. McCain[caption id=”attachment_5721” align=”aligncenter” width=”480” caption=”Happy 325th Birthday Kantor Bach!”][/caption]Our beloved fifth evangelist was born on this day in 1685. Since many male relatives in Bach time shared a common first name: fathers, . . . . Continue Reading »
Bach and Japan: How Beauty Serves the Truth of the Gospel
by Paul T. McCainIf you took a moment to watch the YouTube video I posted in my previous note about Bach, you will rejoice in Mr. Suzuki’s clear and forthright witness to Christ and the Christian faith. Nearly ten years ago my friend Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto wrote a piece for FIRST THINGS, and I thought it might . . . . Continue Reading »
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