Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
ZENODOarrow_drop_down
ZENODO
Article . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Article . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
addClaim

'Let them hear' - The Divine Substance of Music: A Composer's Perspective on Writing Sacred Music in the 21st Century

Authors: Vella Gregory, Alexander;

'Let them hear' - The Divine Substance of Music: A Composer's Perspective on Writing Sacred Music in the 21st Century

Abstract

In an interview with Thomas Huizenga (NPR Classical, 2014), Estonian composer Arvo Part exclaimed ‘For me, there is so much divine power and beauty in the substance of music that whoever has ears, let them hear…’ These words, echoing Christ’s own words (Mt 11:15), place great emphasis not only on hearing but also on understanding. In an age dominated by individualism, algorithms and increasing socio-economic disparity, artists have searched for new models of beauty, not least in the realm of sacred music. Composers like Part and John Tavener have drawn inspiration from Christian mysticism, while others like James MacMillan and Marco Frisina have turned to other manifestations of faith and incorporated elements from popular culture. However diverse their music is, they all share a common trait: an interest in spirituality in order to experience ‘divine power and beauty’. In this paper, Maltese composer Alex Vella Gregory will present his sacred works from a personal perspective, and put his works in a wider spiritual and cultural context. Vella Gregory’s musical works embrace a wide range of references that range from early music, the Western classical tradition, as well as Maltese traditions and popular culture. Using his reflective piano works such as the Piano Sonatas Nos 5-8 and the dramatic vocal works such as Vita Beatae Mariae Virgine, Vella Gregory outlines the various aesthetic concerns and compositional techniques present in his music and frames them in the discourse of ‘divine power and beauty’. This paper was published as part of Attard Glen – Camilleri Charló, Spirituality. In-between the Post-Traditional and the Post-Secular. Proceedings of the 3rd Spirituality Colloquium, 24–25 April 2025. Malta: Horizons, 2026.

Keywords

liturgy, Musicology, sacred music, Theology, Music

  • BIP!
    Impact byBIP!
    selected citations
    These citations are derived from selected sources.
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    0
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Average
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Upload OA version
Are you the author of this publication? Upload your Open Access version to Zenodo!
It’s fast and easy, just two clicks!