[Dixielandjazz] Bach, Beethoven and Handel

Fri Nov 23 15:26:08 PST 2007

That's a little harsh and awfully judgmental Dave.  Churches today are 
deeply involved in show biz.  My daughter goes to one of the largest 
churches in town.  They are called Rock N Roll churches by many because of 
the character of their music.  Why do you suppose they do that? 
Entertainment is a big part of church today and I would like to know from 
someone what is wrong with that if it draws people to the message of that 
particular church?

I went to a very conservative main line church and I had never stepped foot 
into a modern church.  A band I was playing with got a gig in a church. 
Imagine my surprise when I walked in and saw a completely modern sound stage 
with video, recording equipment and advanced light show equipment.  They had 
tables like a night club instead of pews.

Just what do you suppose they do with all that stuff?

Is this a new phenomenon?  I don't think so.  Music was virtually non 
existent in most people's lives in the time frame of those great master's. 
Music was an incredible draw.  Imagine no music, no TV, no radio, no nothing 
and then you get to go listen to someone with the credentials of Bach 
playing a mighty organ.

Are you trying to say that you wouldn't walk ten miles to hear Mozart, Bach 
or Handle?  I'll tell you right now I would.  I performed once in the Mormon 
Tabernacle and that place is set up for the incredible experience of music. 
A place like that would draw me and I'm not Mormon.  Isn't that the point?

The churches also commissioned art work of such a magnificent nature that it 
takes your breath away.  I have been in many cathedrals in Europe, South 
America and the U.S.  You can't tell me that they commissioned all that just 
for grins.  Come on they do all that to impress the masses and it's the same 
with the music.  Religion and show biz go hand in hand and as far as I can 
see they always have at least since the middle ages anyway.

It is true, I believe, that those composers did have a strong personal 
commitment to religion but many musicians make their living today playing 
church music and some of them are composers.  Churches pay money for music, 
to musicians and composers.  This doesn't make them shills but people trying 
to make a living.  Their personal commitment is between them and someone at 
a much higher pay grade than any of us.
Larry
St. Louis
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <evidence at otelco.net>
To: "Larry Walton" <larrys.bands at charter.net>
Cc: "Dixieland Jazz Mailing List" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 22, 2007 10:10 PM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Bach, Beethoven and Handel

>
>> Much of their music was commissioned by churches. It's main purpose? To 
>> get
>> more people into the churches. Not unlike many of the jazz vesper 
>> services,
>> of jazz church services that some of us play.
>
> Cynicism which demonstrates a singular lack of knowledge about these 
> great men's lives, their personal commitments as Christians and their 
> deeply held motivations which transcended being mere shills for 
> established religion.  Your scorn for the cross is not something to be 
> proudly paraded for the admiration of the lost.
>
> Cheers -
>
> David Gannett
>
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