Celestial Music? Some Masterpieces of European Religious Music

Although Wilfrid Mellers describes himself as a non-believer, he has a preference for music that, in his words, displays a sense of the numinous and holds the view that music that confronts first and last things is likely to offer more than music that evades them.Musical discussion, with copious examples, is conducted throughout this book in a context that is also religious - and indeed philosophical, social and political. Contents: What is religious music? Part 1 The ages of Christian faith. Part 2 The rebirth of a rebirth - from Renaissance to High Baroque. Part 3 From Enlightenment to doubt. Part 4 From the death of God to the unanswered question. Part 5 The ancient law and the modern mind.