Religious Music

Zanjan: This is for those who appreciate any high quality, religious music that comes from pretty much anywhere - something that stirs the heart, is beautiful, is uplifting, and reflects our spiritual connection with God. Most importantly, it's gotta be something that stands out from the crowd.

Traditionally, people have said this is Jewish or Christian music etc ....to me, it often sounds like proselytizing or a revival song, intended for a particular religion's adherents - bleah, I'm not interested in that.

I'm stirred by the WORD and how the soul responds to it by singing to God. Over time, some of my urls got lost and I hope to find those amazing arrangements again. Perhaps you have one, knockout amazing or just really cool. May this be a place to share unusual gifts of voice and innovation.

Here's an example of one I came across recently:

http://www.godvine.com/This-is-One-A-Capella-Hymn-You-HAVE-to-Listen-to-You-ll-Be-Stunned--3994.html

Enjoy.

orkanen: Is this what you have in mind, concerning religious music?


I enjoyed AD because of the quality of their performance. I have two of their albums, and having listened to everything they've released, Art of the State is their best one.


I don't know how religious Barclay James Harvest are, but some lyrics include the Christian god. Either way, beautiful music.


City Boy was certainly a religious band, reflected, not only by their first single title, Turn on to Jesus, but also personal testimonies. Through their 6 albums, they present both talent and skills equal to many other great bands of that decade. Too bad their music is too advanced for most commoners.


The connection between music of old and religion is very well known, from Gregorian chants to paid composers and musicians like J. S. Bach. There's so much to choose from, my vast collection of 16th to 20th century classical music consists mainly of religiously funded and inspired pieces, generally because the majority of such music was religiously funded and inspired.

Yes, I'm a music lover.

orkanen:
Find a dark, cool room. Perhaps an old stone cellar, or a wine cellar. Close your eyes and relax, let your imagination lead you while listening to the endless flow of beautiful harmonies.

Zanjan: Orkanen,thanks for the contribution but not what I had in mind. The artists, of course, are all talented but if I don't understand the lyrics or agree with them, it's going to be forgettable to me.

#1 Piece: Depressing. Blaming with shaking fist at God then having the temerity to ask a favour.

#2 Piece: Depressing song to humans, not God.

#3 Piece: Upbeat, but still a song to humans.

#4. Piece: dreary funeral song to the dead; un-orginal, not in English

#5 Piece: Who speaks Latin? Not fresh and innovative......sleep inducing.


What I had in mind was something that captures interest in the first 4 seconds and makes you want to listen longer.

Zanjan: Do you have any idea how hard it is to find musical arrangements with words from scriptures these days? Any scripture? Any prayer? I'm looking for Dan Seals singing the Lord's Prayer (NT) and I can't find it - if you can get your hands on it, it's gorgeous...you'll be moved.

Most of the stuff I have is on my computer, from disk, which I can't upload to here. I think it's important to understand the lyrics......so those should be clear. Here's one example I think fits because it's in two languages:

orkanen: I'm sorry Zanjan, harmonies are more important to me that lyrics. I value the skill of composing and performance over whatever message is given. Muslims keep telling me the Qur'an is a masterpiece of poetry, so unless you decide to learn medieval Quraish, you're at a loss.



I've been to the opera house in Oslo on more than one occasion, as well as Oslo's concert hall. I would love to visit the Bolshoi theatre, maybe the Kirov Theatre, and watch something by Tschaikovsky, perhaps? Yes, Swan Lake is probably his most famous piece.



Recent and contemporary "classical" composers offer advanced imageries to a much smaller audience than any previous composer could afford, here with the recently deceased Arne Nordheim. The harmonies are less transparent than in mainstream music, but still very much there.



I made sure to always play a variety of music in my children's presence, anything from popular music, jazz, funk, folk, country, fusion and punk, to whatever classical music I felt the urge to enjoy. Here, Edward Grieg's lyrical pieces, Opus 54, bringing back pleasant memories from my own early childhood. My son loves Trolltog in particular.



While Grieg based some of his works on traditional Norwegian folk music, other composers, here represented by Johan Svendsen, let themselves inspire by a more continental style.



But back to religious music. Every effort I've heard to make music from scripture has so far been disastrous. Stop by any congregation, anywhere, and what they call music is completely without any trace of value to anyone but themselves.



I find Garth Brooks' version performed better, with less annoying distractions. I just couldn't find it on Youtube. When putting "feeling" into a song, there's a fine line between beautiful and ridiculous.



Hear the difference?

orkanen:



Here are a few versions of the same tune, which comes in a great variety, depending on who arranged it and whatever mood the player is in. It originates in Hallingdal, describing a fight to the death between two young lads at a wedding, orchestrated by the devil himself, while playing this tune. If this music isn't religious, I don't know what is.


Come to think of, jazz is always fun, especially when performed by such talented musicians as this lot. Oh, and I have that exact record player. Can you identify it?


If you appreciate what this guy has to offer, you're really into music. If you only seek out music because the lyrics are religious, you fail. If you get more out of a sermons, texts and lyrics than out of harmonies, music is really not for you.

Maybe I'm only religious when it comes to music?

orkanen:
I don't limit myself to Western music. This is from a Thai film, based on a palace musician during a time when local music was less than kosher. Watch the whole film. It's worth your while.

Zanjan: Orkanen, this topic isn't about music/instrumentals. There's another category for that.

This topic is about using musical gifts for the Cause of God.

FYI, all the world's scriptures were originally sung or chanted. The invention of the printing press changed that but didn't snuff it. **Utterance** is what it's all about; the sound expresses the emotion.

I drop by one local church every second week with a client - it's Baptist. They have an organ, a baby grand piano, two guitar stands and a drum kit behind the altar at all times. There's an overhead projection of the words to follow. They don't need a choir......everybody sings.

I've heard a few lovely new hymns lately and think some congregations are feeling more inspiration than they did when I was young. Change is definitely in the wind.

orkanen: Zanjan wrote: FYI, all the world's scriptures were originally sung or chanted. The invention of the printing press changed that but didn't snuff it. **Utterance** is what it's all about; the sound expresses the emotion.

You'll have to back up that claim, I'll assume you just made it up until you do.



I suspect this isn't what you were looking for either.

Zanjan: You bring up a good point about tradition - with respect to classical music.

For me, Southern Gospel music isn't classic but IS a tradition, and certainly very entertaining. That being the case, it's best sung in a community center or religious conference because it's makes you wanna jump and dance. There are different kinds of joy; each has its own place.

It doesn't surprise me there are so many people who don't know what's appropriate for the occasion anymore. They don't dress in their best clothes to present themselves before God; some fall asleep in their seat, almost no one takes notes; they don't even know the difference between a celebration and a commemoration.

People shouldn't go to their house of worship to be entertained. They shouldn't be selling stuff or hooting, drinking coffee and chewing gum, talking to each other or doing business as if it were a block party. While I don't mind if the speaker says something amusing, he/she shouldn't be telling common jokes from the pulpit. Methinks they've forgotten Who they're supposed to be focusing on and what should be sacred. That's a bit of a digression though.

Traditional music was fit for people long ago. They preferred routine and the familiar, which they were used to and felt safer with. They wanted to see towering magnificence and ritual ceremony to make them feel washed clean. They had to be called/signaled to worship. Much like children, they liked to know what to expect and didn't handle change well; thus, house rules were defined by cultural need.

Most moderns are quite the opposite; they're more independent, liberal, better inspired, educated, and require creative stimulation and speed to hold their attention. They want to participate through personal interaction rather than be led to conformity. This reality has some confused how best to adapt to these changes and some of the choices are questionable.

One thing is certain - when you sacrifice the majesty, the power and rarefied atmosphere of souls being at one in the presence of God, half the message is lost.

orkanen: Are you talking about the euphoria achieved in worship?

Zanjan: No, 'euphoria' is a pathological bio-chemical state, often of mania. Worship isn't a hallucinogenic trance.

Worship is love and adoration for what you believe to be perfection. For example, when you genuinely love truth, you won't tell a lie. When you adore beauty, your talents will be directed to creating something beautiful. When you delight in excellence, your own work will reflect that.

You might be thinking of that special event all mystics have testified is possible - union with God. That's such a greatly misunderstood concept, mostly described by those who've never achieved it. God has no partners (He is One) so, that's not what happens. Everybody knows it's a one-time event. Everybody knows it's the ultimate spiritual achievement.

Christians call that " The Rapture" (has nothing to do with music). Unfortunately, they've have been led to believe it will happen to all of them at the same time, which is nonsense. Jesus expressly said He'd take one but leave the other behind - pretty much what cafeteria style Bible readers have done with the NT. Oh the irony! Let's see how happy people are when the shoe is on the other foot!

Well, this would be another digression if not for the Whirling Dervishes who obviously had some of kind of dizzying music in their heads.

orkanen: You obviously haven't been to LDS events, as I was before getting out of religion. Lots of crazy there.

Do things you make up when you don't know the answer, also fall under the category of "truth"?

mirja:

mirja:

mirja:

mirja:
the most beautiful

DawnGurl: Ave Maria by Lepska Oksana is stunningly beautiful.... I used to be a church organist for many years. She does it justice. Thanks for the post Mirja.

mirja: You are welcome...i think so too... exactly..

mirja:

uglybetty1: There is nothing like listening to the old classic, traditional hymns being sung by a chorale...or being soulfully played on a huge pipe organ.
There are many huge catherals in NYC and in summer I love to pop in and sit....and I have been lucky enough to catch a service...and savour the beautiful sounds of the majestic pipes.....what a serene feeling.....

orkanen: uglybetty1: There's an endless source for beautiful harmonies out there, you just have to go out and find them. My own journey through classical music began with my grandfather's taste for 19th century Russian composers and my mother's taste for operas. Friends, deeply delved into other genres of music, have also guided and inspired me.

Zanjan: Orkanen, my sister is a Mormon........I'm well aware of their stuff, and yes, I've been to some of their events as a guest. We don't have to be alike in faith or personality to have similar appreciation for quality religious music.

When my internet connection starts working right, I'll listen to those videos - right now, it doesn't want to load them.