Sacred Music

Teacher(s)

Van Wymeersch Brigitte;

Language

French

Main themes

1. Definition, polysemy and various expressions of sacred music. Opposition between sacred and secular.
2. General history and sociology of western sacred music (lecture and textbook). With a special chapter on Belgian sacred music.
3. Analyse of several masterpieces of sacred music.
To come out into :
- A typology of sacred musical expressions (liturgical, based on sacred text, performed in a religious context, underlined by theological principles, expression of transcendence, illumation, sacred and spiritual concerts...)
- A philosophical seminar. Possible themes of reflexion : Does a specific musical langage for sacred music exist ? Is it possible to express religiosity by music ? Is music able to bear witness of faith ? Is music able to build links with the mystery of faith, with mysticism, with religion ? Which are the bounderies between musical expression and religious experience ? What is the role of the composer ? What is the nature of links between sacred music and time ? Etc.

Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	To provide historical references, tools, concepts and knowledge about the various expressions of sacred music. To initiate and to monitor research in this particular field of musicology. Target public : 1. Students in musicology, archeology and history of arts. 2. Any student from other disciplines concerned with the relationschip between music and the sacred (theology, philosophy, philology, history, sociology, anthropology). From an epistemological point of view : to disclose the power and mystery emerging from the conjunction of two major Absolutes of humanity : faith and art.

Content

The main objective of the course is the study of Christian musical culture in the West.
After defining the concept of "Sacred Music" and identifying the issues it raises, it will, through study and analysis of composers and works that have made landmarks in the history of sacred music (both in Protestant and Catholic traditions), trace the evolution of sacred music and understand the spiritual, religious, social, and political issues.
By analyzing scores, archival documents or liturgical texts, students will examine liturgical and paraliturgical practices (Lenten devotions, processions, etc..) of a city or defined ecclesial institution (church, convent, etc..). They will be able to understand the sacred music production by confronting it with its context of production and distribution.

Teaching methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

Theoretical lectures, seminars given by students and attendance to conferences (scheduled at the beginning of the year).

For the year 2017-2018 : attendance to a conference on Bach (19 and 20 April, LLN).

Evaluation methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

a.    Written exam in June (50% of the final grade);
b.    Submission of 1) an individual paper and 2) a report on a conference organised within the framerwork of this course (50% of the final grade).

Other information

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Online resources

The slideshows are available on ICampus.

Faculty or entity

ARKE