Composers Forum is a daily web log that allows invited contemporary composers to share their thoughts and ideas on any topic that interests them--from the ethereal, like how new music gets created, music history, theory, performance, other composers, alive or dead, to the mundane, like getting works played and recorded and the joys of teaching. If you're a professional composer and would like to participate, send us an e-mail.
Record companies, artists and publicists are invited to submit CDs to be considered for review. Send to: Jerry Bowles, Editor, Sequenza 21, 340 W. 57th Street, 12B, New York, NY 10019
Since this is Good Friday and music and religion have a long and distinguished common history, I thought a good topic might be music that has a religious basis. The church and synagogue have long been a source of inspiration for both composers and painters and many of the most respected modern composers--Messiaen, Part, Tavener, for example--write almost exclusively music inspired by their personal faith. Have any of our worthy composers ever written religious pieces? What are some of your favorite pieces?
(You don't have to be religious to play. I believe Verdi wrote his Requiem for a fee and for a man he didn't even know.)
posted by Jerry Bowles
9:38 AM
