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”
Puccini’s Dixit Dominus
The opera composer Giacomo Puccini was not what one would consider a pious person, and I wasn't aware that he had composed any Sacred Music His great, great-grandfather of the same name, however, is another matter altogether.
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.
Mozart Makes The Gloria Soar
The Gloria The Gloria starts with "Glory to God in the highest . . ." If you frequent the Catholic Mass, you know this prayer. You've heard it hundreds of times, maybe thousands. But how much do you know about it? Or have you ever wondered where it comes from, or how it got into the Mass? First … Continue reading Mozart Makes The Gloria Soar
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
Have Mercy – Lotti’s Miserere (Music for Lent)
Have mercy on me, O God,according to thy steadfast love;according to thy abundant mercyblot out my transgressions. (Psalm 51:1) Have Mercy And what transgressions they were! King David had used trickery and deceit to send Uriah the Hittite to his death. He had, in fact, murdered his loyal soldier in order to hide his own adultery. Tradition … Continue reading Have Mercy – Lotti’s Miserere (Music for Lent)
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
Music for Lent: When Jesus Wept
I just ran across the beautiful Lenten song "When Jesus Wept" just within the past week, although it has been garnering more attention in Catholic circles in recent years (my sons tell me they sang it in choir at their faithful Catholic college). It was published in 1770 by American composer William Billings. The melody is … Continue reading Music for Lent: When Jesus Wept