Finally, some chant! Part 2 of the two part special on chant features the Offertory Antiphon for Corpus Christi, and predictably weaves in a discussion of that quintessential eighties band, the Cure.  Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/connermccain ..read more

With Episode 24, Season 1 of "The Composer as Contemplative" is in the books! What a season it has been! We’ve covered quite a lot of ground, touching on everything from Barry Manilow and the "Copacabana" in Episode 1, to The Cure in Episode 2, Taylor Swift in Episode 9, and Depeche Mode in Episode 11. We looked at a new work that I’d written in Episode 13, and we’ve done deep dives into The History of Hymns (Episodes 3-5), the Second Vatican Council (Episodes 6-8), the composer Olivier Messiaen (Episodes 14-17), and the Ordinary of the Mass (Episodes 19-23).  In a podcasting victory-lap ..read more

Our five-part series on the Ordinary of the Mass concludes with an in-depth look at the "Agnus Dei," or the "Lamb of God." The text both draws upon the other texts of the Ordinary and on the Scriptural image of Christ as Lamb, most prolifically placed throughout the Book of Revelation. Believe it or not, this liturgical year is drawing to a close, as we prepare for the Solemnity of Christ the King, let us meditate on the altar where the Mass takes place as Christ's throne in this world.  Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/connermccain ..read more

The "Sanctus," with a text joining the Old and New Testaments (Isaiah 6:3 and John 12:13), is a beautiful and jubilant reminder of the heavenly presence of our liturgical celebrations. This week we continue our series on the "Ordinary of the Mass" by diving into the spiritual ramifications of the "Sanctus" text, as well as by looking at two musical settings of it: the Sanctus from the Missa Orbis Factor, and the English setting by Sir James MacMillan from his St. Anne's Mass (1985, rev. 2011).  Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/connermccain ..read more

Did you know that there is a long tradition of singing the Creed during the Mass? Many of us will not have had the chance to experience that in our lives yet, but it is a beautiful and solemn thing! Listen to part 3 of our series on the Ordinary of the Mass to learn more about the development of the Nicene Creed and its setting in chant.  Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/connermccain ..read more

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men'" (Luke 2:13-14). Those words are transposed into the mouth of the people in the Mass, a jubilant reminder of the wonder of the Incarnation and the beauty of the Trinity.  Part 2 of our series on the Ordinary of the Mass looks at how the form of the Gloria communicates its message, as well as ways in which composers simplify text-setting for longer texts.  Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/connermccain ..read more

The Mass is a miracle every time it happens. Whether we like the priest, the homily, the music, the church or not. Christ truly becomes present in his Word and in his Body and Blood. What is the "Ordinary" of the Mass, then? Is anything about the Mass "ordinary?" Find out on this week's episode! Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/connermccain ..read more

Why does the organ have pride of place, at least among instruments, in the Latin Church? This week's episode leads a tour of Church history, followed by a meditation on Tradition and the ability of musical improvisation, such as Maurice Duruflé's (1902-1986) Choral Variation on the Veni Creator Spiritus, to mirror the living out of the Gospel in the everyday lives of the faithful.  Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/connermccain ..read more

The four-part series on Olivier Messiaen concludes with a reflection on the vocation of the artist. By linking his love of nature to his faith, Messiaen, in Des Canyons aux étoiles..., presents the world as the theatre of God's creativity, and the workshop of man's sanctification.  Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/connermccain ..read more

This week, we look at Olivier Messiaen's other great musical inspiration: nature, and specifically birdsong. Though distinct from his faith, his liturgical and religious spirit runs clearly through even the most "secular" of works, including his work for the bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence, Des Canyons aux étoiles... Inspired by the colors and birdsong of Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks, Des Canyons is saturated with the desire to see God in all of creation.   Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/connermccain ..read more