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 MENDELSSOHN IN BIRMINGHAM VOL. 3, PARTICULARLY LOBGESANG (SYMPHONY #2)

 

 Since I became a fan of classical music, my favorite composer as I grew older, from Beethoven to Dvorak to Bruckner to Berwald and now Mendelssohn. 

Some of you aren't into classical music, and may tell me you've never heard of Mendelssohn's music. I will kindly shake my head and ask you to turn in your hymnal to "Hark The Herald Angels Sing." You'll see Charles Wesley's name on the left for the words, and on the right you'll see the composer for the music identified as - you guessed it -  Mendelssohn. It makes me smile that the brother of John Wesley wrote words that would be set to music by a Reformed Messianic Jew who wasn't born when Charles was promoted to hymn writing in heaven.

Felix Mendelssohn by Eduard Magnus, 1846

Mendelssohn is typically assumed to have written five symphonies. His symphonies are numbered according to the order of their publication. For example, the Reformation symphony was the second one he wrote, but he put it on mothballs and it wasn't published until 20+ years after his death, and was numbered as his fifth. 

Above, I've pictured volume three of the collection "Mendelssohn in Birmingham". Mendelssohn visited Britain ten times during his short life (1809-1847). The first three volumes, which feature his symphonies (each also starts off with an overture), have a sketch done by Mendelssohn of Birmingham. (Each volume has a different ink color). Not only does it show that the composer was a talented artist, but it also showed some humor: Notice the large bird in the drawing? And in the forefront was the luggage of Mendelssohn and his two traveling companions.

The first two volumes feature four of his five symphonies, saving the longest for this volume. This symphony, designated as the second (though it was either his fourth or fifth that he wrote) is titled Lobgesang, which means hymn of praise. Like Beethoven's 9th, the symphony starts with three instrumental movements and then brings in a choir for the end. However, there are distinct differences. Beethoven's choral finale was a symphony movement with singing. The choir part of Lobgesang more resembles the Messiah than Beethoven, taking up the majority of the time of the symphony, and is usually divided into several parts. In fact, some modern music critics don't consider this a symphony but more of a sacred choral work. 

One reason I am looking at this rendition instead of just the symphony is that this includes the English translation of the lyrics, which Mendelssohn authorized (the original was in German). 

I'm not a professional music critic, but allow me to pretend to be one. The symphony starts off with horns playing a melody in a low key, echoed by the orchestra, not unlike a songleader singing a line from a song with the choir or congregation echoing that line back. There is no break between the minuet of the 2nd movement and the slow 3rd movement. The fourth starts with the orchestra playing the beginning of the theme from the first movement.

One interesting note is this was composed for a choir, a pair of sopranos, and a tenor. There is one short segment where the sopranos sing together.

When I listen to this symphony, the theme runs through my head, with the English words taken from Psalm 150: "Let all that has life and breath praise the Lord."

This volume starts off with an overture titled "Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage." I'll admit it's not my favorite Mendelssohn composition. It starts off very quietly, and sometimes if I don't put the volume on the stereo loud enough I miss the first couple of minutes of this overture.

Who is your favorite classical composer? What music helps you worship?