O Be Joyful: The Music of John Rutter
Review of English composer & conductor John Rutter’s music. The first in an ongoing series for “Music Mondays.”
Chess, Dysfunction, and Misfits
Pity the child who has ambition Knows what he wants to do Knows that he’ll never fit the system Others expect him to Chess is perhaps one of my favorite musicals. A product of the 1980s, with a libretto by award-winner Tim Rice & music from Benny Andersson & Bjorn Ulvaeus (two members of ABBA), … Read more
"No Simple Language"
I stumbled across an old favorite album as I made my way home on Saturday after a week at church camp. I probably haven’t listened to the first Jars of Clay effort in its entirety in about 10 years, but I think it still holds its age about as well as any Christian album I’ve … Read more
Music for Pentecost
So one of the fun things I’m working on is having a decent playlist for all the liturgical seasons. Since Pentecost Sunday was yesterday, I’ve been digging through my music to find something that might relate to the Holy Spirit…and not having a lot of luck. Here’s what I’ve got so far: Oyaheya (Ricky Byars)Spirit … Read more
Dancing
Dance, then, wherever you may be; I am the Lord of the Dance, said he. And I’ll lead you all wherever you may be, and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he. Happy People Dancing on Planet Earth (Astronomy Picture of the Day is a great website to visit, by the way.) or … Read more
Word…for the week of January 7, 2006
The Baptism of the Lord Isaiah 43:1-7; Psalm 29; Acts 8:14-17; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Isaiah’s prophesy forms the basis for a beautiful American hymn, “How Firm A Foundation.” The first time I encountered this hymn was when it was embedded in a choral version of Amy Grant’s “Thy Word” that my youth choir was singing. … Read more
For he is holy that has magnified me
This evening, Christie and I went to Lincoln Cathedral for choral evensong. The evening prayer office features the choir singing the Magnificat. This song or canticle, from Luke 1:46-55, is a powerful song of faith sung by Mary as she meditates on the news that she is to be the mother of the Christ. As … Read more
