The formative power of hymns and hymnbooks

The formative power of hymns and hymnbooks

FROM VOL. 149
Christopher Phillips discusses the cultural and spiritual effects of hymns and the “thingness” of hymnals. (18 minutes)
Congregational singing in Martin Luther's time

Congregational singing in Martin Luther’s time

FROM VOL. 137
Liturgical scholar Robin Leaver clarifies some misconceptions about Martin Luther’s commitment to congregational singing. (10 minutes)
Early 19th-century hymnody

Early 19th-century hymnody

FROM VOL. 151
Musicologist Peter Mercer-Taylor tells the story of how early 19th-century hymnody introduced many Americans to a repertoire of classical music. (27 minutes)
In tune with the muses of Zion

In tune with the muses of Zion

Ken Myers on the Christmas music of Michael Praetorius
In dulci jubilo

In dulci jubilo

Ken Myers introduces some of the music for the season composed by Michael Praetorius (1571–1621), best known for his settings of Es ist ein Ros entsprungen (“Lo how a rose e’er blooming”) and In dulci jubilo. (18 minutes)
The mysteries and glory of Christmas and its music

The mysteries and glory of Christmas and its music

Ken Myers presents examples of music from five centuries that capture some sense of the astonishing fact of the Nativity of our Lord. (15 minutes)
The music and the notes are precious

The music and the notes are precious

Ken Myers encourages an understanding of the Church as a particular culture that should be nourished and sustained, and then describes the history of an Advent hymn written by St. Ambrose. (27 minutes)
Stabat Mater dolorosa

Stabat Mater dolorosa

Ken Myers offers some thoughts on the aesthetics of sympathy, and introduces some of the musical settings of the remarkable medieval poem known as “Stabat Mater dolorosa.” (23 minutes)
Passions before Bach

Passions before Bach

In preparation for Holy Week, Ken Myers presents a whirlwind music history lesson with musical examples from the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries. (22 minutes)
The mysteries and glory of Christmas and its music

The mysteries and glory of Christmas and its music

Ken Myers presents examples of music from five centuries that captures some sense of the astonishing fact of the Nativity of our Lord. (26 minutes)
Beckoning to wisdom

Beckoning to wisdom

Poet Malcolm Guite and composer J.A.C. Redford talk about their collaboration on a song cycle inspired by the O Antiphons of Advent. (22 minutes)
Renaissance music for Good Friday

Renaissance music for Good Friday

In a special Feature for Good Friday, Ken Myers shares settings of passages from the Book of Lamentations and of the Tenebrae Responsories by Tomás Luis de Victoria. (18 minutes)
Meditative music for Passiontide

Meditative music for Passiontide

At the start of Passiontide, Ken Myers introduces listeners to works by the Renaissance composer Orlande de Lassus which highlight the theme of lamentation. (18 minutes)
The role of hymns in building faith

The role of hymns in building faith

Darryl Tippens reminds us of Scriptural texts in which a person is moving closer to God when music breaks out (such as Mary’s Magnificat, and he discusses the history of music in the church. (23 minutes)
The Incarnation presented in music

The Incarnation presented in music

Composer J.A.C. Redford talks about the theme of the Incarnation as musically presented in his choral symphony for Christmas entitled “Welcome All Wonders.” (23 minutes)
The Mystery Sonatas of Heinrich Biber

The Mystery Sonatas of Heinrich Biber

Baroque violinist Fiona Hughes reflects on Heinrich Biber’s 15 “Mystery Sonatas,” each of which corresponds to one of the mysteries in the life of Jesus and Mary that focused meditative devotion. (14 minutes)
The poetic power of hymnody

The poetic power of hymnody

Leland Ryken argues for reading hymns as devotional poetry, that we might have constant access to their spiritual insights and that they might help nurture and shape us into disciples. (12 minutes)
Mars Hill Audio Journal, Volume 137

Mars Hill Audio Journal, Volume 137

FEATURED GUESTS: Gilbert Meilaender, James L. Nolan, Joel Salatin, Michael Di Fuccia, Robin Leaver, and Michael Marissen
Mars Hill Audio Journal, Volume 136

Mars Hill Audio Journal, Volume 136

FEATURED GUESTS: Thomas Albert Howard, Mark Noll, Andrew Pettegree, Peter J. Leithart, Norm Klassen, James Litton, and Joseph O’Brien
Mars Hill Audio Journal, Volume 132

Mars Hill Audio Journal, Volume 132

FEATURED GUESTS: David I. Smith, Susan Felch, D. C. Schindler, Malcolm Guite, and J. A. C. Redford