Sacred music’s top 10 (or so)

I once joined a few friends in compiling a list of sacred music favorites. The idea was for us each to list our top 20 favorite sacred classical music masterworks, with a somewhat loose allowance for pieces that on reputation alone might not qualify as “masterworks” but which we personally held in high regard–terribly unscientific, admittedly, but fun nonetheless. Combining lists, we ended up with the following ubiquitous favorites, listed here in no particular order:

MENDELSSOHN: Elijah
BRAHMS: Requiem
BACH: St. Matthew Passion / St. John Passion / Mass in B Minor
ALLEGRI: Miserere
MOZART: Requiem / Ave Verum Corpus
HAYDN: The Creation
HANDEL: Messiah
VERDI: Requiem
BRITTEN: War Requiem

I find it interesting that no less than four settings of the Requiem made the list. Also noteworthy is that among this company of predominantly epic, multi-movement pieces there stand two small gems, Mozart’s Ave Verum Corpus and Allegri’s Miserere. (I own a recording of the latter stunning work, sung in English, that I highly recommend - Sir David Willcocks leading the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge.)

The runners-up included:

BACH: Cantata No. 147
BEETHOVEN: Missa solemnis
ELGAR: The Dream of Gerontius
GORECKI: Totus Tuus, op. 60
HARRIS: Faire is the Heaven
JANACEK: Glagolitic Mass
MAHLER: Symphony 2 “Ressurection”
MOZART: Vesperae solennes de confessore (Laudate Dominum) / Great Mass in c, k427
PALESTRINA: Missa Papae Marcelli
RACHMONINOV: Vespers
SCHUBERT: Mass in Eb, D.950
SIBELIUS: Cantata for the Conferment Ceremony 1894
TALLIS: Spem in Alium / If Ye Love Me
BERLIOZ: L’enfance du Christ / Grande Messe des Morts (Requiem) / Te Deum
BRUCKNER: Te Deum
FAURE: Requiem
GRETCHANINOV: The Lord’s Prayer
ROSSINI: Stabat Mater
DURUFLE: Requiem
MACMILLAN: Seven Last Words from the Cross

Any surprises here for you? Any sacred music “giants” you would have included (or not) on your list?

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July 2, 2008 | Filed Under Music Repertoire (lists) | Leave a Comment

Recommending Joby Talbot’s ‘Path of Miracles’

I’ve just made an addition to my list of recommended musical works (to the right). Composer Joby Talbot’s choral piece Path of Miracles (2005) is hauntingly beautiful. Definitely worth checking out.

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June 11, 2008 | Filed Under Recommendations, New Music | Leave a Comment

Funeral music

I read an interesting article today on the subject of funeral music - here’s the link: http://music.guardian.co.uk/classical/story/0,,2282432,00.html

I haven’t thought much about what music I would want played at my own funeral. In fact, I’ve not thought much about the service in general. But there’s definitely something to be gained in doing so. Brings to mind a passage from the Psalter, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

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May 29, 2008 | Filed Under Recommendations | Leave a Comment

Robot musicians

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra was recently lead in performance by a robot named Asimo, which was built by Honda. Here’s a video:

This brings to mind another video I watched recently (below) that features a Toyota-built robot playing the violin.

Fun stuff, impressive engineering and great publicity. But I’m not inclined to take it very seriously from a musical standpoint. Even if robots could be programed to make music at the highest technical level in terms of phrasing, tone, articulation, etc., I think it would never be more than mere imitation of the real thing. Maybe I would feel differently if I was willing to let go of the belief that great music and great art in general is something more than the sum of its parts. I can’t really imagine being moved by music created by the will of a machine, except, perhaps, that I might by touched by the realization that the machine’s performance and very existence was ultimately a reflection of something noble in the will of its creator. Otherwise, I think I would feel duped. But am I just being narrow minded?
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There’s a philosophical thread here somewhere. The creation reflects, imitates and finds legitimacy in the reality of the creator’s will… Hmmm.

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May 21, 2008 | Filed Under Videos | Leave a Comment

Sacred Music continues

The work of Soli Deo Gloria continues and has sparked some exciting performances of sacred music in recent days. Here’s a brief summary:

Lumen de Lumine premiere in Sioux Falls, SD On March 15 and 16, a new piano concerto was premiered by the South Dakota Symphony under the baton of its Music Director, Delta David Gier. The piece was written by composer Jacob Bancks under commission from SDG. Lumen de Lumine (“Light from Light”) is a work that celebrates the glory and mystery of Christ’s resurrection through musical reflection on the Easter Vigil Mass. And what a profound and engaging piece it is! With its intricate and captivating musical language, Lumen de Lumine is the sort of work that requires and rewards serious listening, much like the music of Olivier Messiaen whom Bancks counts among his “musical heroes.” Let’s hope that Lumen de Lumine receives many repeat performances as the composer’s career continues to blossom.

Dress rehearsal of The Fiery Furnace in San Diego, CA One of the most beloved stories in the Bible was explored in music last month as the San Diego Symphony, the San Diego Master Chorale and conductor Jahja Ling presented three performances of a new work commissioned by SDG. With all its dramatic appeal, it’s a wonder that the account of The Fiery Furnace from the book of Daniel isn’t the subject of a greater number of concert works. For SDG, composer Daniel Kellogg created a 34-minute oratorio depicting the distress, remorse and resilient faith of the Jewish people, the vain glory of the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar and the true glory of God in deliverance from death. The imagination and skill at work in Kellogg’s oratorio impressed me greatly. The Fiery Furnace beautifully expresses SDG’s aim to wed musical excellence with scriptural texts, and it won standing ovations from audiences in San Diego.

Reflecting on these projects, I’m mindful that SDG supporters are the ones who ultimately made it all possible, through contributions great and small. So, huge thanks to all who are furthering this cause. I invite you to take joy in these achievements and in all that lies ahead. Expect great things!

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May 16, 2008 | Filed Under SDG general, Commissions | Leave a Comment

Wrestling with the message

Tenor soloist Nicholas Phan has posted on his blog some beautifully honest and profound reflections on preparing the role of Shadrach in Daniel Kellogg’s SDG-commissioned oratorio The Fiery Furnace. If ever you’ve wondered about the potency of SDG’s mission to sponsor music “in the Biblical tradition”, do give this a read.

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May 8, 2008 | Filed Under Kellogg: The Fiery Furnace, Faith, SDG general | Leave a Comment