Music and Religion
|
Verdi's Requiem, Dies Irae played by the New Russia State Symphony Orchestra
|
A little about Music and Religion'Religious’ music has been traditionally believed to be ‘sacred’ music which is influenced by religion or composed or performed for religious use. Music is also used for other occasions such as mourning, festivals/celebrations and meditation.
Religious music is often shaped by other art forms and by changes in society. Christian music for example consisted mainly of liturgical music, songs of praise composed mainly by the church for the church. Examples of this span from early medieval music to music in religious practices today. One of the earliest collections of sacred music is the book of Psalms, found in the Jewish and Christian scriptures which is still used in liturgies today. |
However, in the 1960’s, Evangelists targeted the youth and changed their approach to music in an attempt to change with the times and use music of the popular culture to reach out to the masses. In an attempt to stay relevant in a changing world Christian rock was introduced, with bands such as Casting Crowns and Switchfoot rising to popularity.
Today the notion of music and religion has extended to music being a ‘religious’ experience. Graziano, an atheist, describes his experience of listening to certain pieces of music as creating a ‘reverence’ and ‘awe that has a spiritual quality’. However, one could question whether or not contraditions are present in holding a scientific aethism or non-religious stance and referring to music as relgioius experience. Essentially, what is religion?
One definition states that religion is : “A set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.” In this sense, do the practises of various creators, performers, partakers and appreciators of ‘religious music’ conform to this definition?
You are welcome to explore traditional or contemporary views of music and religion and how it has changed over time.
Today the notion of music and religion has extended to music being a ‘religious’ experience. Graziano, an atheist, describes his experience of listening to certain pieces of music as creating a ‘reverence’ and ‘awe that has a spiritual quality’. However, one could question whether or not contraditions are present in holding a scientific aethism or non-religious stance and referring to music as relgioius experience. Essentially, what is religion?
One definition states that religion is : “A set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.” In this sense, do the practises of various creators, performers, partakers and appreciators of ‘religious music’ conform to this definition?
You are welcome to explore traditional or contemporary views of music and religion and how it has changed over time.
