The Bible and Music

This past Saturday, I had the opportunity along with my classmates to go and see a performance of Stravinsky’s Psalms. The talk before the concert was pretty cool. I liked that I was able to gain some background information regarding the performance, including the historical context of the pieces that were performed but also the sentimental importance that it had for the conductor, Dr. Stark. In my opinion, the first half of the show was full of more somber and depressing music. It was clear that Stravinsky wanted the music to be in this tone but for me it was just to serious to be a piece that was used in worship. The second half however I felt was much more animated and had happier undertones in it. The soloists did an incredible job and I loved that the words Dona Nobis Pacem were repeated. The phrase, meaning God grant us peace, was actually something I knew beforehand having performed a song with these words in it back in high school. Overall, I was very impressed with the show and thoroughly enjoyed it.