The Sense Of An Ending

Fanny Cradock

A while back, during a particularly fractious time on this forum, a diversionary thread was started that asked what people did when they weren't tossing grenades across the trenches at each other. I was surprised to note that so many people were either directly involved in music, or, like myself, passionate enthusiasts.

I recently happened upon this lecture entitled: The Sense Of An Ending. It's given by a guy called Jeremy Begbie who, I gather, is a Cambridge professor of music or some such. Begbie attempts to show how “endings” (or the audiences' understanding of them) have changed in our Western tonal musical tradition. This, he argues, reflects the change in the meta-narratives (or lack of) in the lives of the modernist and post modernist listeners. In other words, as the overarching beliefs of the listener has changed so, too, has the music. He then contrasts this to the meta-narrative of Christianity, which, he argues, is above all else concerned with hope. Hope for personal rebirth and a new and perfect creation through Jesus.

Begbie gives a wide-ranging and fascinating lecture that draws on the realms of philosophy, theology and music (predominately Classical but there are also some contemporary examples used) to support his claims. If you re a Christian with an interest in any of the above (even passing) you will probably receive a very positive and encouraging message from this lecture.

Enjoy!


http://veritas.org/media/talks/475

P.S. It's 1 hr 30 mins long, so I hope I've given an accurate summary of the talk. Best to find out for yourself

hivizman

Many thanks, Fanny, for the information and the link to the video.

I don't know how I've missed the work of Jeremy Begbie, particularly his books Theology, Music and Time and Resounding Truth: Christian Wisdom in the World of Music, but having previewed the first few minutes of the video and read your summary, I think that his work will be of great interest to anyone of a religious inclination who loves music and other arts.

I hope to share more thoughts when I've been able to find enough time to watch the video in full.

Soul Winner

Thanks a mil Fanny. Music mad is me so I'd say its right up my street. Hope to find an hour or so tomorrow to listen to it. Thanks again...