Explore every episode of the podcast Musically Speaking

This week we look at how a musical diet shapes musical desires and how teaching students to read music frees them to participate rather than just consume. Featuring recordings from Geneva Academy’s ninth and tenth grade musicianship class, this episode explores why Renaissance polyphony, music literacy, and singing outside our own time form not only better musicians but stronger communities.

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

In this long-form Musically Speaking conversation, I sit down with theologian Alastair Roberts at Theopolis Institute to explore what happens when we learn to hear the Bible musically. Alastair argues that Scripture isn’t something we simply analyze from above like a map. It’s more like music we enter—where themes develop, time interpenetrates, and the rhythms of typology and liturgy work together like a great symphony.

We talk about why modern theology has become so flat and spatial, how recovering the primacy of the ear helps us read Scripture more faithfully, and why worship is meant to function musically, rather than as a collection of disconnected parts. We also dig into the Psalms, the creativity of Christian hymnody, and how a psalm-soaked imagination gives rise to richer and more faithful new songs.

If you care about music, Scripture, worship, or the shape of Christian time, I think you’ll find this conversation both challenging and deeply encouraging.

You can read more from Alastair Roberts at The Anchored Argosy here on Substack.

This week’s episode reflects on the music of childhood and the way a musical mother shapes the imagination. In honor of Suzi Richey’s birthday, I look at a few songs near to her when I was growing up, from Sweet Beulah Land to music from Scott Sontag and Reba Rambo. These artists and tunes have stayed in my memory even though decades have passed.

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

In this week’s episode, we look at how Randy Newman writes through invented characters rather than speaking in his own voice. From satire to tenderness, his songs use irony, perspective, and a distinctive piano style to help us hear truth in unexpected ways.

Here’s a link to the heartbreakingly beautiful song, Wandering Boy:https://youtu.be/I2s1WNagdA0

Here’s a link to Randy Newman’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert:https://youtu.be/1wFWR5qCB2k

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

In this week’s episode, we look at what happens when the words of one song are forced onto the tune of another. The result is usually funny, cringeworthy, or both. But our reaction teaches us something important. We do not just hear lyrics. We hear music as meaning. The tune and the text are meant to support one another. When they disagree, we notice instantly.

Here’s a recording of Girlfriend in a Coma if you wish to hear more than the eight seconds in the episode: https://youtu.be/tTfSYPjmTyo

Or this version of John Lennon’s Imagine sung to the Muppets Theme song, complete with Kermit the Frog voice imitation: https://youtu.be/IbzBw3Uiu48

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

In this week’s episode, we look at why there are two commonly sung versions of A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. We listen to the familiar slower tune and then to the original rhythmic version that Luther wrote. We consider how rhythm helps congregational singing and why this hymn still matters today.

Here’s a PDF of the song if you want to sing it yourself: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gbo4baculoj49c6xo7iep/A-Mighty-Fortress-Is-Our-God_LJR.pdf?rlkey=1ydnxei10cmp2u6yzj7o2nu8j&dl=0

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

In this week’s episode, we listen to the many talents of Phil Keaggy — the guitarist, the vocalist, and the musical interpreter of great texts. From the lyrical compassion of The Little Ones to the Beatles-like shimmer of Love Divine and his haunting setting of C. S. Lewis’s As the Ruin Falls, Keaggy shows how excellence and devotion can live in the same song.

Here’s an interview with Phil Keaggy and the poet Malcom Guite talking about Lewis’ poem: https://youtu.be/BoPzW8SIBM4

Here’s Keaggy’s song Little Ones that is so moving: https://youtu.be/0SAQhl9pDM4

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

I’m finishing up PhD Qualifying Exams in Fort Worth, TX. Enjoy this early episode of the Friday Five, which features a fun story about Artificial Intelligence and music.

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

In this week’s episode, we listen to one of the most quietly powerful voices in modern music. Jennifer Warnes is best known for her unforgettable duets and her interpretations of Leonard Cohen’s songs, but her gift runs deeper, carrying a kind of quiet grace that lingers long after the song ends.

Here’s a YouTube playlist of the album Famous Blue Raincoat: https://youtu.be/tNYiMxHbcE4?si=BiMm1JwSlk9yaK-m

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

In this week’s episode, we hear three of my eighth-grade students sing Dona Nobis Pacem as a round and explore why canons are more than warm-ups. Canons help singers grow in independence, blend, and harmony, making them one of the best tools for choirs of any age.

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

In this week’s episode, we explore Joachim Neander’s hymn Wondrous King, All-Glorious, and reflect on how singing it before dinner became a surprising moment of connection both in our home and online. We consider what makes table singing so meaningful, why this hymn is a treasure, and how incorporating hymns into daily life reshapes our experience of community.

Here's a link to the viral singing reel: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DO2POO3DLb4/

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

In this week’s episode, we consider how singing polyphonic music trains our ears for harmony, strengthens independent musicianship, and builds music literacy. With examples from Victoria and Byrd, we explore how this music shapes both singers and listeners.

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

Here’s a link to listen to the Victoria “O Magnum Mysterium” piece with sheet music: https://youtu.be/9xPh-fXYAc4

In this week’s episode, we reflect on hymns that guide us through moments of grief and turning. From Abide with Me to A Mighty Fortress, these hymns, among others, help us lift our eyes from sorrow to the sure hope that God’s kingdom remains.

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

In this week’s episode, we hear how pianist Jacques Loussier and his trio reimagined Bach with the swing of a jazz rhythm section. From the famous Air on a G String to the Toccata and Fugue in D minor, these works remind us that sometimes all they need is a modern genre like jazz to bridge the gap and let us hear just how vibrant they would have sounded when first created.

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

Here’s a link to a live performance in Leipzig in the church where Bach is buried: https://youtu.be/BFEj7NfIRY0

Here’s Trio X of Sweden’s version of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9HHNbQYoJo

In this week’s episode, we consider why certain voices move us even when they sound rough around the edges. These are voices that break the mold, resist polish, and still draw us in. What makes them so compelling?

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

Here’s a few listening links. First is Leonard Cohen’s “If It Be Your Will”:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fICsHinJNbc

Here’s Randy Newman’s “I Think It’s Going to Rain Today”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zDt8xyVKtw

In this week’s episode, we look at how the familiar Doxology, “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,” was not originally a stand-alone hymn. It was the shared ending of three different texts by Bishop Thomas Ken. Morning, Evening, and even Midnight devotion all resolve in the same four lines of praise, a pattern that still teaches us how to frame our days.

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

Here’s a link to a PDF of the Doxology: https://shorturl.fm/JyR4l

Here’s a recording of the whole thing from Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Austin: https://redeemerpres.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Doxology-Old-Hundredth.mp3

In this week’s episode, we consider Chris Stapleton’s Daddy Doesn’t Pray Anymore and why it leaves such a lasting impression. Along the way, we’ll make a surprising connection to a classic country hit and explore what makes songs like this worth returning to again and again.

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

Here’s the links promised in the episode:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nTch_IbOHE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es1uCh48TNY

In this episode, we look at the life and legacy of Cecil Frances Alexander (1818–1895), who wrote many hymns for children, including All Things Bright and Beautiful, Once in Royal David’s City, and There Is a Green Hill Far Away—but whose poetic clarity and theological depth often surpass what many churches sing for adults today. We explore how her lyrics arm young worshipers with truth, invite children of all ages into the riches of the faith, and challenge some of our modern expectations for congregational song.

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

In this episode, I take a look at one of Mason Williams’ lesser-known but brilliantly crafted pieces: “The Last Great Waltz.” You probably know him from “Classical Gas,” but this tune tells a quirky story using shifting meters and clever musical turns.

Here’s the link to listen to “The Last Great Waltz” in its entirety on YouTube: https://youtu.be/H0jMhedM_-I

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

Here are the links to listen to the other Mason Williams songs referenced in this episode:

“Classical Gas”- https://youtu.be/mREi_Bb85Sk

“I’ve Heard that Tear-Stained Monologue You Do There By the Door Before You Go” - https://youtu.be/-e3RJjTFfao

Today’s episode is in loving memory of Ted & Rodger Richey.

This week, I take a closer listen to Be Still, My Soul, a hymn of quiet trust and enduring hope. We’ll hear excerpts from David Erb’s choral arrangement and explore how this hymn has shaped generations through grief and faith.

Here’s a link to listen to “Be Still, My Soul” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_HYtMuSyCck

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

In this episode of the Friday Five, I revisit the classic hymn Now Thank We All Our God, but not in the way you might be used to hearing it. I explore a rhythmic version of this well-loved tune, bringing Johann Crüger’s original 1648 setting back to life with clarity and energy.

You’ll hear a recording performed by my junior and senior musicianship students from Geneva Academy in West Monroe, Louisiana. I also highlight three reasons why this hymn deserves a regular place at your table, in your car, and in your congregation.

In the episode, I mention my Let Joy Resound: A Singing School Hymnal. For more information, visit LetJoyResound.com.

Here’s a link to listen to “Now Thank We All Our God” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vg8qOChZpmQ

For more information about this hymn, see the linked article that includes a PDF of the music: https://jarrodrichey.substack.com/p/hymn-highlight-now-thank-we-all-our

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

This week, I feature Dearest Magdalene (Big Burn) by my friend and talented guitarist Bill Stutzman. Inspired by the Great Fire of 1910, this ballad from the album Cardinals and Fireflies unfolds like a final letter from a husband and father facing death as he sends his family to safety. With poetic storytelling, ghostly harmonies from his wife Cherise, and a warm vocal delivery reminiscent of James Taylor, this is a hauntingly beautiful song worth a careful listen.

Here’s a link to listen to “Dearest Magdalene (Big Burn)” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/k7M-g3Ay9yg

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

Before “The Star-Spangled Banner,” there was CHESTER, a bold and faith-filled anthem that stirred the hearts of the American colonies during the Revolution. In this Independence Day episode, I take a closer look at William Billings’ iconic tune and share three reasons why it's worth rediscovering. From its patriotic theology to its uniquely American fuging style, Chester is a song worth hearing again this July 4. I’ve included clips from both the Robert Shaw recording and Paul Hillier and His Majestie’s Clerkes for your enjoyment.

Here’s a link to listen to the Robert Shaw version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lTNLC4Dl3Jk?feature=shared

Here’s a link to Paul Hillier & His Majestie’s Clerkes version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9-W6doIU64o?feature=shared

Here are the complete lyrics:

Let tyrants shake their iron rod,And slavery clank her galling chains,We fear them not! we trust in God!New England's God forever reigns.Howe and Burgoyne and Clinton too,With Prescott and Cornwallis joined,Together plot our overthrow,In one infernal league combined.When God inspired us for the fight,Their ranks were broke, their lines were forced,Their ships were shattered in our sight,Or swiftly driven from our coast.The foe comes on with haughty stride;Our troops advance with martial noise,Their veterans flee before our youth,And generals yield to beardless boys.What grateful offering shall we bring?What shall we render to the Lord?Loud Hallelujahs let us sing,And praise his name on every chord.

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

This week, we highlight Roger Miller’s fun album, Roger and Out, and share why its blend of humor, heartfelt songwriting, and playful charm makes it a must-listen. Join us as we unpack what makes Miller one of country music’s most creative voices and why you should give Roger and Out a listen.

Here’s a link to listen to the album on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2wuO3nwb5IJXIKoDyHblyF?si=OyDmF5S4QXmyPlcDjWsdLw

Here’s a link to listen to “Got 2 Again” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CDdYFjq8ULc

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

In this week’s episode, we explore how a composer famous for grand tone poems turned to 16th-century lute melodies. Ottorino Respighi, best known for Fountains of Rome and Pines of Rome, also created three exquisite chamber suites in his Ancient Airs and Dances. We’ll hear snippets of Suite I’s sprightly “Gagliarda” and Suite III’s lilting “Siciliana,” then share three reasons why these intimate reimaginings of Renaissance tunes are so captivating. Tune in to discover the beauty hiding in these small-scale gems.

Here’s a link to listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3pQx91h84EeCjToUx77McG?si=4fKvDrc4SNyG4H_ueXvOHA

Here’s a link to listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/O_DlXAJ7zpM

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

This week, I’m taking a closer listen to one of the most charmingly bittersweet duets ever recorded, “Can’t We Be Friends?” by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. There’s something about this track that makes you smile even as it sings about heartbreak. In this episode, I share three reasons why this performance still speaks to us: it feels like a real conversation, it wraps humor around heartache, and it reminds us that not every ending needs to be ugly. It’s jazz with grace, swing, and a whole lot of soul.

Here’s a recording: https://youtu.be/wiLIV3H0q-Y

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

This week on the Friday Five, we discuss the uniquely American musical form known as the fuging tune. Featuring Nehemiah Shumway’s SCHENECTADY set to Isaac Watts’ “From All That Dwell Below the Skies,” this episode walks through three key characteristics of fuging tunes and shares how they reflect both musical creativity and congregational participation.

Here’s a recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29KOzkV20Ew

Here’s a PDF of the sheet music from my Let Joy Resound Hymnal: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/e3p4i4lfo2gkdkfp4buvh/From-All-That-Dwell_LJR.pdf?rlkey=it25ajcekhh17pa0s7knwczth&dl=0

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

This week, we take a brief look at William Byrd’s Sing Joyfully unto God—a six-part setting of Psalm 81 and a standout example of English Renaissance choral writing. As we typically do, I’ll offer several reasons why you should know and enjoy this remarkable work of sacred choral music.

Here’s a link to a recording: https://youtu.be/wRm0mS6UrH8

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

This week on the Friday Five, I’m sharing a choral piece that surprised me with its beauty and depth, even though the text is a list of names. I first heard it live in 2023 during a performance by The Tallis Scholars, and it’s stayed with me ever since. In this episode, I’ll give you three reasons why I think it’s worth your time, too.

Here’s a link to the Tallis Scholars’ recording of Arvo Pärt’s “Which Was the Son of…”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5recq2Ff2P8

Here’s the link to hear it on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6mCoEtnzkB0Xptoypsbq3z?si=a0d4245b54f043fd

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

What if the gospel story could be told not by listing its events, but through the songs that have accompanied them? In this week’s episode, I reflect on James Montgomery’s 19th-century hymn Songs of Praise the Angels Sang, which creatively traces redemptive history from creation to resurrection to eternity through the lens of music.

Here’s a link to the Coventry Singers’ recording: https://youtu.be/Snu0LzeYfjY

Here’s a recording of David R. Erb’s setting also mentioned in this post: https://youtu.be/24ATk3sinf8

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

This week on the Friday Five, we journey down the Vltava River with Bedřich Smetana’s The Moldau, one of classical music’s most vivid tone poems. From bubbling springs and forest hunts to moonlit waters and rushing rapids, this piece tells a sweeping story without a single word. Host Jarrod Richey shares three reasons for listening and how a river can speak through sound.

Here’s a recording link: https://youtu.be/kTfOzsL8hpE?feature=shared

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

Fresh off last night’s concert, this special episode of the Friday Five reflects on the Delta Youth Chorale’s Spring 2025 concert, held just last night. Featuring live excerpts from the choir, including György Orbán’s electrifying Daemon Irrepit Callidus, Jarrod Richey shares three takeaways from the evening that celebrated truth, goodness, and beauty through song.

Here’s a recording link: https://www.youtube.com/live/4ToVZUKBFbw

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

What do a 19th-century Czech composer and a blockbuster film score have in common? In this week’s Friday Five, we explore the fiery opening of the 4th movement (Allegro con fuoco) from Dvořák’s New World Symphony and trace a musical thread you might not expect. One moment, one motif, three minutes of orchestral drama that may sound...oddly familiar. Take a listen. The sea of sound just might surprise you.

Here’s a recording link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCct_tSQ8WY

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

In this week’s episode, we turn to Bach’s St. John Passion—a gripping masterpiece. From its fiery opening chorus to its peaceful closing chorale, this Passion delivers urgency, intensity, and beauty in every movement. Discover four reasons you should make time for this masterpiece before Easter Sunday.

Here’s a recording with subtitles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtRA1zUajf0

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

In this week’s episode, we turn to Bach’s St. John Passion—a gripping masterpiece. From its fiery opening chorus to its peaceful closing chorale, this Passion delivers urgency, intensity, and beauty in every movement. Discover four reasons you should make time for this masterpiece before Easter Sunday.

Here’s a recording with subtitles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtRA1zUajf0

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

This episode explores why Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. Matthew Passion is more than just a masterpiece — it’s a sacred experience. From its roots in Good Friday liturgy to its unexpected impact in Japan, discover four reasons this timeless work deserves your attention before Easter Sunday.

Here’s the link to the article on "J. S. Bach in Japan" - https://firstthings.com/j-s-bach-in-japan/

Here’s a video with English Subtitles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMNjZf5dQeU

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

This week’s episode briefly discusses the role of the choir when it comes to congregational singing in worship.

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

This week’s episode is features a setting of Psalm 46 that is enjoyable and accessible to sing.

Psalm 46 (NKJV) PDF

Psalm 46 (NKJV) Accompaniment PDF

Singing Psalm 46 (NKJV)

Jarrod Richey

·

August 1, 2023

Read full story

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

This week’s episode is focused on singing together around the table.

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

This week’s episode is a fun story about Artificial Intelligence and music.

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

Ken Myers is the founder of the Mars Hill Audio Journal. In this episode, we feature an excerpt from a Q&A session at the 2015 Auburn Avenue Pastors Conference, where Ken Myers discusses why more Chinese people are studying Bach than Westerners studying Chinese classical music.

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

Here’s a link to purchase this Q&A Session 7 in MP3 format: http://www.payloadz.com/go?id=2816833

In this episode of the Friday FIVE, I briefly highlight Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Musical Offering” (BWV 1079) and James R. Gaines’ “Evening in the Palace of Reason: Bach Meets Frederick the Great in the Age of Enlightenment.

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

Get the Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0007153937

Listen to the Musical Offering: https://music.apple.com/us/album/bach-musikales-opfer-bwv-1079/314134640

This past Sunday was the Superbowl, and before the game gets underway, there is always a buzz about the National Anthem. This episode of the Friday FIVE features some musical examples and commentary around the National Anthem and Jon Batiste.

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

Hollywood Africans Album:

* Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/hollywood-africans/1415689114

This special Thanksgiving episode of Musically Speaking brings an episode of Redeemer Talk, where I discuss one of the most well-known hymns of this season of the year to highlight the often-forgotten trait of thankfulness in church music and culture. Hear excerpts from J.S. Bach's Cantata 192, 79, and Mendelssohn's Symphony 5 fourth movement.

A written version of this post was published in the Classical Difference magazine in 2019. You can read that here. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Thank you for your interest in and support of Musically Speaking!

In this reairing of our fifth episode of Musically Speaking, we take a listening tour through the rhythm, tune, and text changes that have come to Martin Luther’s famous hymn on Psalm 46. Below are button links to the PDFs mentioned in this special Reformation Day episode.

In this latest podcast episode of Musically Speaking, you can hear the conclusion from a lecture given by Jarrod Richey at The Classical Thistle Conference in Missouri last week. Here’s an excerpt from that lecture:

Music is a genuine way to better understand God's world and character in a fuller way. And what if we give as much focus on singing as logic proofs? What if Latin was sung as much as spoken or read in our classical Christian education? What if, in addition to Latin, music and singing became synonymous with classical Christian education? What if? What if we study the great composers and not just learn about them but sing through the best melodies that they wrote? We Read Through the Best Curricula, Why Not Sing through a Good Curriculum?

John Mason Hodges, the director of the Center for Western Studies in Memphis, TN, sat down with me to discuss how themes of law and grace are present in Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables and how the Broadway musical does a magnificent job of underscoring those Christian themes. If you don’t believe me, listen to Maestro Hodges make the case for why Christians should appreciate and enjoy this great work of art.

Thanks for reading Musically Speaking! Subscribe for free to receive new posts in your email inbox or the Substack App.

This episode features a bit of Listening Lagniappe in the form of excerpts from several conferences where music, particularly pastoral music concerns in worship, was discussed. Featured audio excerpts from Scott Aniol, John Hodges, Peter J. Leithart, and Ken Myers. Topics include pastoral music concerns, hymnody as folk music, music literacy, and singing in parts/harmony.

These clips in longer form come from:

* 2022 Bach Lectures - 2nd Evening - St. Matthew Passion Discussion & Q&A

* “The Practice of Singing in Harmony” - 2015 Auburn Avenue Pastors Conference

I hope this sampling will whet your palette to listen to more from these speakers in the area of music in the church and life of the church.

This episode features John Hodges of the Center for Western Studies in Memphis, TN in a conversation we had recently about music, beauty, and metaphor. John’s insights are well worth your time. He will be here in northeast Louisiana on June 29 for the 5th Annual Bach Lectures leading a live lecture-recital performance of Bach’s Cantata 51.

Find Out More About John’s Work at The Center

John Hodges is a Renaissance Man and leads The Center’s Gap-Year program through the best of western art, literature, and music. Here’s more about what they do there:

WE ARE LIVING ON BORROWED CAPITAL FROM AN EARLIER AGE OF FAITH, AND MANY HISTORIANS AND CULTURAL CRITICS ARE PREDICTING THAT THE WEST AS A CIVILIZATION IS LOST.

While none would want to go back to a world of plagues, feudal warfare, and bad plumbing (which is still the way of life in many other parts of the world), we would like to regain and retain anything that past generations have accomplished that could be called truly timeless, and we want to find ways to apply those ideas to human life in our own day.

Our goal is to be engaged in the art and ideas of Homer, Dante, Shakespeare, and Eliot in order to better engage the art and ideas of (for example) the Marvel Cinematic Universe or the next election cycle. Culture counts, and we are to glorify God with mind and heart as well as soul and strength, which means knowing how to engage with our present culture, and standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before.

If you are interested in the adult seminar being added please email, John Hodges at director@centerws.com.

This episode features Dr. Scott Aniol of G3 Ministries in a four-minute excerpt from a recent talk on Aesthetics in Christian Education. Dr. Aniol does a magnificent job summarizing the goal of beauty for the Christian. This is well worth your time to listen.