Klarinet Archive - Posting 000670.txt from 1998/12

From: Dodgshun family <dodgshun@-----.nz>
Subj: Re: [kl] Bible and music - changed question
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 21:29:01 -0500

At 03:20 PM 16/12/98 -0500, you wrote:
<snip>
> The question I hope to answer is: How does the society in which a
>composer is writing effect his use of the Bible in text. I plan to compare
>(among others) Mozart's Catholic writing (requiem in d), Bach's Lutheran
>writing (hundreds of cantatas - are there any major works by Bach?)

Oh, only the two Passions (St Matthew and St John - I would think that these
may well be ideal for your purposes), the Mass in B Minor and the Magnificat
- the Magnificat is not quite so "big", but still wonderful music.

>and
>Lloyd Weber's secular writing (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor
>Dreamcoat).

Don't forget Jesus Christ Superstar. Also, there's a musical by Stephen
Schwartz called "Godspell" which is based on the gospel of St Matthew.
Great show, great music and very true to the gospel.

>If there are any other major Christian religions to which
>"big-name" composers subscribe(d), I would like that information, if
>possible.

Elgar was Anglican; I think Britten was too. My guess is that Verdi was
Catholic, judging by his requiem, and probably Faure as well.

Hope this helps
Anna

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