BUCKET LISTS, MUSIC YOU CAN HEAR IN HEAVEN, AND OTHER SPECULATIONS

The Plains of Heaven by John Martin

 "Nacho, nacho man; I want to be a nacho man!"

Or is "mocha man" a more accurate description of me?

I'll confess: Seeing the Village People live would be on my bucket list, though it would be lower on the list. Hearing the Daniel Band and Idle Cure and Little River Band would all be higher on the list. So would hearing several classical compositions performed live, such as Mendelssohn's Reformation and Lobesang (Hymn of Praise) symphonies, Tchaikowski's Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture, Bruckner's Romantic Symphony and his Te Deum, Wagner's Flying Dutchman Overture, and of course my favorite symphony: Beethoven's 7th.

However, Russell Moore pointed out the philosophical problems with bucket lists for Christians. It presupposes that there are things on this earth that we'll miss out on if we don't see them before going to heaven. After all, isn't heaven so much more wonderful than anything here? If we missed something on earth, won't there be something even better in heaven? By the way, Moore did suggest that you visit the pyramids if you want to see them, because Scripture hints they may not be around during the Kingdom.

Now, I would love to see the Village People in heaven. Did you understand what I just wrote? First off, I'd like to see them (and everybody else) there; I don't want anybody going to the other place (though I do believe that other place exists and those who continue in their treasonous sin without turning to God for forgiveness through Christ's sufficient and completed sacrifice). That said, I'd also love to hear them perform, though I think the songs they'd do in concert in the Kingdom would not include the hits they're known for down here (I'll admit I'd love to hear "In The Navy" live).

I do know some of Little River Band are Christians, so I would not be surprised to get to hear them perform. I do know I can meet the members of Daniel Band and Idle Cure; the question is if there will be electric guitars in the kingdom, or if all the sets would be unplugged.

Of course, orchestras are already unplugged. I would not be surprised to see Mendelssohn direct the two symphonies mentioned above, and maybe have him do a duet with Charles Wesley on "Hark The Herald Angels Sing." Same is true with Bruckner conducting his "Te Deum" (Latin for "Thee, O God, We Praise).

But what about the others? I have no idea of Tchaikowski's faith. Wagner, however, inspired some of Hitler's beliefs. Beethoven on his death bed heard lightning and sat up shaking his fist at heaven. Would their music be played in the Kingdom? After all, even if they weren't among the saints, their music was at worst neutral and at best causing the listeners to praise God for allowing that music to be composed.

And so I go into territory that I believe the Bible is silent and there is no evidence on one side or the other except to be grounds for theological/philosophical discussion. I am blessed by the beauty of the works I mentioned. Same is true with the theme of Chariots of Fire. Due to the story of Eric Liddell, Christians love that song. But composer Vangelis dedicated that theme to the Greek god Pan.

The question? Would music composed by unbelievers but beloved for its beauty be performed in heaven? I mean, Mendelssohn or Bach would be able to conduct that music. Or will any memory of unsaved performers be destroyed, including their musical masterpieces?

What are you looking at me for? Do you think I have the answer? None any better than yours. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

REVIEW OF BRUCKNER: MASSES #2 & 3, TE DEUM, 5 MOTETS

No, I'm not Roman Catholic. No, I don't attend Mass. Yes, I absolutely love listening to Classical Masses. No, I don't understand Latin. But I love the reverence in the music.

For those who are unfamiliar with a Classical Mass, they typically have six movements (named after the first word of the movement): Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei. On albums, it's not unusual for the Gloria and Credo to be divided into different segments, sometimes upping the number of tracks on the vinyl to eleven.

The album I'm reviewing contains two of Anton Bruckner's three masses, as well as other choral compositions. Unlike me, Bruckner (September 4, 1824-October 11, 1896) was Roman Catholic. His music is compared with Gustav Mahler, but one major distinction between the two was Bruckner's faith.

One person describing Bruckner says most of his music, either choral or his instrumental, are strongly flavored with his Catholicism, listing his fourth symphony (aka the Romantic Symphony) as being more secular. That makes me smile, because 1) I am not astute enough to detect the Catholicism in his symphonies, and 2) I can sense the power of God very clearly in the first movement of that symphony.

Bruckner is known for his large, dramatic symphonies. Yet, unlike other musical radicals, Bruckner had humility concerning his compositions. For example, he composed four versions of the Romantic Symphony. One of my favorite compositions period is the third movement of the later versions of that symphony; that hunting horn scherzo was not in the first version. The finale was finalized (sorry, I couldn't resist) in the third version, and the fourth added piccolos and cymbals.

His three masses written in the 1860's were respectively in the keys of D minor, E minor, and F minor (most masses were written in major keys, though probably the best known Mass was Johann Sebastian Bach's in B minor). Wikipedia mentions he wrote four other masses previously.

The first CD of this set starts with the E minor Mass (#2), which was composed for mixed choir and a small group of wind instruments. Some say it was to appease a conservative group known as the Cecilians, who preferred aca pella church music. 

Following the mass is Bruckner's Te Deum. Like the D minor and F minor masses, this was written for performance and composed for mixed choir, soloists, orchestra, and organ.
There are a few compositions that blew me away on first listen, and the Te Deum is an example. It starts with an energetic opening of strings and organ.

The second disc starts with the F minor Mass (#3). This mass is unique among Bruckner's masses is that the first lines of the Gloria and Credo were orchestrated for music; in the previous masses, those segments began with a tenor solo intoning those lines as a priest would. 

Like most masses, the Kyrie is solemn and the Gloria is joyful, but the same excitement shows up in the Credo. I love that the section dealing with the creed - that is, the belief system - is sung with such exuberance. Are we that excited about theology and the truth of God's Word? (Okay, I'll stop preaching and return to reviewing.)

This project concludes with five motets, which were composed for soloists and organ. 

Have you ever listened to a Classical Mass?