MUSIC & CHURCH

Music has always been part of Christian worship, most notably starting with the introduction of  ‘Gregorian Chants’, a form of monophonic, unaccompanied sacred song in Latin that developed in western and central Europe during the 9^th and 10^th centuries, and other forms of music dating back possibly from as early as 30 AD. We even find them in the Bible – the Psalms are Hebrew worship songs after all!

The different Christian traditions have used music in different and wonderful ways: Christian Rock in Evangelical Churches, Gospel Music rooted in the rich traditions of the African-American Church and the mysticism of the Catholic sung Mass.

Bristol is a city where Music and Church come together in an extraordinarily brilliant way. It is the home of the Wesley Chapel – called ‘John Wesley’s New Room’, which is now a chapel, a museum and a meeting room. It is the oldest Methodist building in the world. John Wesley is rightly famous for having started a mission from Bristol that sparked a world-wide movement. But how many people have heard of his brother Charles Wesley? The writer of the words of more than 6,500 hymns? Most recognised amongst them: ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’.

Bristol Cathedral with its adjacent ‘Bristol Cathedral Choir School’ plays a pivotal role in the social, cultural and musical life of this most eclectic and creative of English cities. Bristol Cathedral choir, made up of Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars, together with the Cathedral Consort, performs a sung daily Evensong (except for Thursdays) at 5.15pm weekdays and 3.30pm on Sundays. Their history is impressive - singing live on BBC 1, broadcasting regularly on BBC Radio 3, tours to Italy, Poland, France and the USA and recording CDs, which can be purchased from the Cathedral office near the Church’s entrance.

Hisham, a recent young visitor to Bristol Cathedral, is a choir member of ‘The Rodolfus Choir’ in London and a classically trained musician. He’s also an admirer of William Byrd, an English composer of the Renaissance, who is widely considered to be one of the greatest composers of that time. Hisham is now studying at university in Bristol and is an enthusiastic attender at Evensong, as well as the Cathedral’s Lunchtime Recitals https://bristol-cathedral.co.uk/music/lunchtime-recitals/

The height of the ceilings being the same in the centre of the nave as in the aisles, together with the beautiful Choir built in 1298 and the Bristol Cathedral organ made by Renatus Harris in 1685 make this unique ‘Hall Church’ the perfect setting for the enjoyment of music. Follow events here: https://bristol-cathedral.co.uk/music/  and browse the user friendly Cathedral website https://bristol-cathedral.co.uk/ or pop in for a chat with one of the friendly welcomers.

A couple of my favourite hymns are ‘Abide With Me’ by Henry F. Lyte (1847) and ‘How Great Though Art’, based on a Swedish traditional melody and a poem written by Carl Boberg in 1885.

I’d like to finish this post with the words and reflections of five music lovers with very different backgrounds and also with a very pertinent and beautiful analysis by a musician and philosopher about to begin his PhD:

"When, after a long period of inactivity, I decided to start running again, it was a real disaster. I had to stop after just five minutes, because I was in pain and couldn't breathe. It went no better the second and then the third time. Finally, I decided to follow my son's advice: he told me to listen to my favourite songs during the run. It was an immediate success! Right from the start I managed to run thirty minutes at high speed without effort. Since then I know what music is for me: it is the vital drive, the encouragement, the motivation, the company and support." Nat, language teacher

"What is music to me? Music is memory. All those times we played guess who to the songs on the radio in dad's car, soundtracks of road trips down to the coast, dancing and drinking at live gigs and music festivals in crowds of so many people, post-breakup playlists to pick you up, your brother playing so loud he can't even hear you yelling at him over the noise pollution he's making. Music is memory for all the senses. Songs tell the stories of our lives. So I suppose music must be some kind of magic." Laura, teacher and writer

“I like pretty things and singing beautiful music in a beautiful church gives me a grand feeling.” Hisham, Rodolfus Choir member (London) and classically trained musician

“Listening to and watching the choir gives me a sense of joy and purity in worshipping God.” Kevin, Bristol Cathedral church goer

“Music makes you feel something, it is personal, it makes life better I guess. I use it to express myself.” Matt, Australian born Bristol musician (modern music)

"The link between music and religion is as ancient as history. Since the times of the Fathers of the Church, music was considered a proof of the divine order of the universe. In more recent times, English author J.R.R. Tolkien has imagined the world as created by a symphony whose composer is the One Himself. Since the time of the first Gregorian Chants, religion has discovered a spiritual dimension in sounds in the same way that music has enriched spiritual experiences." Filippo, MA in Musical Aesthetics

It looks like history points in one and only one direction – music and Church will be forever entwined.

#BristolCathedral #churchchoirs #musicalaesthetics #historyofmusic