In a groundbreaking book that puts the more complicated aspects of music in terms anyone can understand and appreciate, award-wining classical composer Michael Kurek’s new book, The Sound of Beauty, draws on decades of experience to deliver a must-read for Catholics, regardless of their musical knowledge.
Kurek’s classical compositions have been performed on six continents. His numerous awards include the prestigious Academy Award in Music from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. His 2017 album, The Sea Knows, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Traditional Classical chart. Holding his doctorate in composition from the University of Michigan, he serves on the faculty of Vanderbilt University.
Beginning with easy-to-understand descriptions of what music is, how it comes to be and the science behind it, Kurek moves into fascinating explanations of some theories of the psychology of perception of music and how music speaks to the mind, emotions and spirit. Some of these concepts have rarely been addressed outside the ivory tower and even more rarely been seen through the lens of Catholic theology.
“Even the most devoted atheist recognizes the spiritual component in music,” said Maggie Gallagher, executive director of the Benedict XVI Institute for Sacred Music and Divine Worship. “Here at least we have the professor, the composer and the man of faith together looking at how music can reveal God’s immanence and his transcendence together. Kurek’s journey to the Catholic faith is fascinating and revealing in its own right.”
Full story at Christian Newswire.
Very fascinating; sounds to me like he has much to contribute to modern Catholic music. Perhaps he already has, but the name to me is new. If he is as good as it seems he is, I would like to see his name in the OCP hymnal, if it is not already there.
No, this Catholic classical composer’s works are not in the “folk Mass” Oregon Catholic Press. Classical musicians are all schooled in the true musical heritage of the Catholic Faith.
“No, this Catholic classical composer’s works are not in the “folk Mass” Oregon Catholic Press. Classical musicians are all schooled in the true musical heritage of the Catholic Faith.” Pity. Someone with such talent could make substantial contributions even to, dare I say or think it, OCP?
Does this book cov er all Catholic music, or just certain categories? Some commentors here have opined along the lines ‘If it aint’ Gregorian Chant, it ain’t Catholic’ TMany of them do not think highly of OCP’s music.
Gregorian Chant has always been the official music for Roman Catholic liturgical use. Before that, the early Christians had Hebrew Chant, in their synagogues. Throughout history, occasionally secular “pop” musical styles (often melodies of drinking songs, or love songs, with religious lyrics)– just like the secular OCP music– were temporarily tolerated, in our Mass or Divine Office– but later, discarded and prohibited. Seminarians, monks and nuns, all used to have required classes in Gregorian Chant and Latin.
Lingua Latina mortua est.
Latin is still the official language of our Church! All Church official papers, documents, and liturgical books– such as the Roman Missal — are all first published in Latin– and next, translated into all the vernacular languages.