The Bible and Music

In class on Monday, we discussed traditional choral music. When asked our thoughts on the various examples, many of us agreed that we didn’t enjoy the selections. But, why were we so quick to say that we didn’t like them? Has our taste in music evolved to a point where we lack appreciation for these pieces?

When we say we don’t like the examples, the answer as to why we don’t like them is typically “it’s boring.” With words in a language foreign to our own, instruments that are not typical of what we listen to today, and long songs with constant changes in melody, it’s no wonder we say we don’t like them. We have lost touch in this art of music production, one of more precision and intention. Our music now contains repeated melodies, where finding two songs that sound alike (ex: Big Lie by Post Malone and Love Lies by Khalid) isn’t uncommon.

Our instant access to music has also made it difficult for our generation to enjoy the music that was once loved and revered as the best. Streaming apps such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Pandora have made access to music quicker, and easier, than ever. When we are in the mood for music, we could have a song playing seconds after the initial thought came to us. This immediacy, however, has forced artists to create music that catches the attention of the audience quickly, in the hope that their song doesn’t become another lost soul in the graveyard of skips. If artists continue this on further, music will be less creative, less imaginative, and less complex.

I have heard about most of the King David stories. I started to think about them in a different way on Monday though. I never knew they made a film out of his story so that was very interesting to see. I never thought about how the music could add to the situation between him and Bathsheba. Halfway through class I started thinking about the song Hallelujah. Then it was brought up during class. That was the first time I ever made that connection and it is a song I have known for many years. I think it is very interesting to find references to the bible in modern songs or songs I wouldn’t think has any references to the bible.

We talked in class about the story of Bathsheba and David and different interpretations of that, specifically a movie from 1951 entitled David and Bathsheba. Since the Bible doesn’t provide much detail, the movie makers had a lot of room for interpretation. In true 1950’s male fashion, they portrayed Bathsheba as a seductress in the film and made it out to be all her fault while the text in the Bible makes out Bathsheba as a passive role. Along with this, we touched on how some stories are told to children, but a lot of the violent ones or ones that contain what is deemed to be “adult content” are withheld until children get older. Why do we shield our children from the sex and violence in the Bible?

For the following class on Wednesday, we were asked to listen to some of Arnold Schoenberg’s work that is titled “Moses und Aron.” Before listening to this piece of music, I wanted to do some background research to become more familiar with the setting and history of the song. Moses and Aaron, being the modern music name, is a three-act opera that fails to finish the third opera. In 2010, a Hungarian composer finished the third act and performed it with permission from Schoenberg. However, the majority of this opera when it is played is missing the third act.

The opera was never finished before the end of Schoenberg’s lifetime. The first performance of this music was set in Darmstadt and occurred on July 2, 1951. An interesting fact that I found was that the entire music is based entirely on a single tone row. Some of the instruments that are used throughout the three acts are flute, clarinet, English horn, celesta, and trombone. The last note that I made about this piece is that it is known to be extremely difficult for audience to follow and listen to. When I listen to this music, I hope to learn from it and try to sort out some of the confusion that most audiences have.

Today in class, we discussed that David is a king, making him King David. Also, Solomon is David’s son. David took the place of Saul. Music, dance, and Psalms are associated with him. Goliath is often brought up with David as well, but today we discussed David and Bathsheba. She is the mother of Solomon. David slept with her even though she is married, and this was something that, over the years, many people have hidden from the young children. For me, this was a very interesting class because I did not know hardly anything about this story before. It is interesting how different sources spin the story their own way. It is easy to blame one person over the other, but no one has ever approached the idea that Bathsheba may have been sexually assaulted, as Professor McGrath was saying. I can’t wait to learn more next class!

In class on February 21, we discussed children’s music. The key components of children’s music are that it is not ominous, but rather happy. Also, there are usually bells, piano, and tinkling. There are simple words to learn and remember as it is typically repetitive. The songs also tend to be educational. A song I chose that has a religious connotation is Silent Night. I chose this because, growing up, my grandma would always play this song in her house in the background through Christmas Day and dinner. I loved this song (and still do) because it has such a serene and peaceful vibe to it. It really makes me feel content and satisfied. I didn’t really ever think about how religious it was until this assignment came along. I realized that I should really start paying attention to the lyrics more than the actual beat and music. Because without lyrics, what does the beat really mean?

In class on February we learned about libretto. It focuses on highlights and prophecy, including commentary, prediction, and expectation. The Messiah is associated with the term “anoint.” This term is often used with kings and high priests. Handel’s Messiah was associated with the coronation for Jesus. Handel did not just take the meaning of words, he used the theological meaning of them. He received controversy, because it was performed in churches and he picked an improper presentation, which was not offended. It is more familiar now to people because of the Messiah. You can change the way words are heard if it is set to music.

In class on February 14, we discussed in groups a specific scene from the Bible that we could make into a movie. My group chose the Resurrection, John chapter 20. We decided we would have 20 people total, no extras. They would all be main, key characters playing important roles. We didn’t get much farther than that, unfortunately, but we did decide our music would include an uplifting, mystical tone.

After this brief collection of ideas, Professor McGrath taught us that Handel’s Messiah was an oratorio. This is basically just an opera without the theatrics. We also learned that libretto is a text that has been set to music. Apocrypha are works that were not included in the Bible. The Canon is a list of works that we focus on in text and music. The takeaway from the class was that you can leave stuff out to focus in on other things, for example a movie or a book.

This morning we listened to a variety of songs, but the one that stuck out me was the Christian rap song that we listened to.  I found it interesting how much better I understood and listened to the words when they were put to a song that catches my attention more.  I assume this is because of what I listen to today, but it makes me wonder if people my age would pick up on the Bible more if it was put to modern songs rather than old hymns.

The most striking thing to me personally about the movie interpretation of the story of David and Bathsheba is how what is essentially coercion is depicted as sexually erotic. Historically Bathsheba would not have much of a choice in having an affair yet the movie producers framed her as if she wanted David sexually. I think that portrayal dates the movie quite well and points to the heavy rape culture that dominated the film industry for so many years and still does. The argument can be made that the movie is giving Bathsheba agency since she takes charge of the affair but I think that argument is invalid because historically the relationship was very one-sided in the power dynamic. Eroticizing a relationship where one member does not truly have a choice is quite disturbing to me personally.