tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334626017823048563.post3665472640678374222..comments2023-06-10T10:27:37.412-04:00Comments on Dispatches from No. 3 Equity Court: Further Praise and Praise MusicRoger D. Curryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501280762906608675noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334626017823048563.post-79400107539935508212011-07-27T23:36:34.924-04:002011-07-27T23:36:34.924-04:00Roger, Thanks for these very provocative reflectio...Roger, Thanks for these very provocative reflections. I especially enjoyed "Come to Jesus" by Chris Rice, and took the time to listen to another of his pieces, "Go Light Your World." Both seem to me to be good fits in a blended worship service, which was the implied point of the essay that initiated this current conversation.<br /><br />The other examples you linked didn't do much (actually squat) for me, but that again points to the issue of what appeals to different people. These other examples obviously fit well in the settings in which they were performed, but I would have much difficulty with them in church. And chances are I would never knowingly attend the venues where they were performed.<br /><br />Could your immediate recognition of Russian composers have something to do with their music usually being very "heavy" and in minor keys? Perhaps that's a stereotypical categorization, but it is my impression, and I do really enjoy listening to Russian compositions. In fact, there was a new (to me) piece of Russian origins on NPR this afternoon that was hauntingly beautiful. (I'm going to go on the search for a recording of it, and if I suceed, I'll share with you.<br /><br />It probably is true that when it comes to the arts, it's a matter of "different strokes for different folks." What the reasons are for our resonating with different musical styles is a mystery. Perhaps that's the reason some refer to music as the "language of the soul."<br /><br />My one practical, gut-level question in this has to do with the appropriateness of unilaterally introducing or blending into traditional worship settings contemporary pieces that don't really blend well (for a host of reasons) with the faith understandings and/or stylistic differences of at least some so gathered. It seems to me that in order to move in such a direction, a broad base of consensus would need to be achieved.Jim N.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15704549284507208264noreply@blogger.com