The Great Works of Sacred Music

By: Charles Edward McGuire, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Charles Edward McGuire

Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Western classical music is one of humanity's most sublime artistic traditions. This musical language - encompassing genres from symphonic and instrumental music to choral works and opera - was created through the meeting of art and faith.

The lineage of sacred works produced some of the greatest masterpieces in Western art and created the foundation of the Western musical canon. This phenomenal tradition includes works of genius such as:

• Josquin des Prez's Ave Maria, gratia plena, an exquisite polyphonic motet
• Monteverdi's Vespro della Beata Virgini, whose vocal pyrotechnics evoke the immensity of heaven
• Mozart's Requiem, the final composition of the classical master

Beginning with medieval chant, discover how its single musical line evolved into polyphony (music with multiple simultaneous melodies). You'll also learn how the religious reformations of the 16th century compelled composers to create new musical genres and to make religious texts more intelligible. Additionally, observe how 17th-century composers blended sacred styles with genres such as opera, producing music of dramatic and unforgettable beauty.

As a fascinating counterpoint to the music itself, you'll explore the sociological background of its writing and performance. Sacred works were often commissioned by important clerical and aristocratic patrons, and composers were challenged to write music that was not only religiously edifying but also entertaining and publically successful. Over time, sacred music moved beyond church walls to become appreciated in secular venues as autonomous works of art.

You'll hear stunning musical excerpts covering over 1,200 years of music, from medieval chant to the massive sacred works of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2015 The Great Courses (P)2015 The Teaching Company, LLC

A worthwhile series, even if it sound like it was recorded on a potato...

The audio quality is atrocious, but the subject and the speaker are engaging and interesting to listen to, and make the experience worthwhile.

Educational and Insightful

For me this book was most educational and insightful. I learned much! Very well done.

Enlightening and Enjoyable

Any additional comments?

Although some of the musical analysis was beyond my complete understanding, I enjoyed it and learned. Beyond that, the history, background and excerpts were most enjoyable. The professor was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and I found his occasional singing to illustrate a point just fine. Well worth my time and one I will probably listen to again.

Excellent foundation course

This is an excellent series of lectures which covers the evolution of western sacred music. Those with a musical background likely will have an easy time grasping the content of the lectures. However, those with less musical knowledge can use these lectures as a foundation for further exploration.

A Worthy Course

This is the fifth music appreciation course I have taken from the Great Courses. I had no experience with music appreciation before beginning my education through these series of lectures. If you are like me and have little or no musical background, then I do not recommend starting with this particular course because the professor assumes some basic knowledge of terminology and music history. I strongly recommend beginning with Professor Greenburg's How to Listen to and Understand Great Music course before moving on to this one. If I have a complaint about this particular course, it would be that it is too short. The main topic omitted, which the professor openly admits, is music designed for congregational singing. In other words, this course focuses on music designed to be sung to the audience rather than music to be sung by the audience. So, this course omits most familiar religious songs commonly heard in church services. I wish the course was expanded to include enough lectures to incorporate this topic. That being said, this is still a wonderful course, and I learned a great deal such as the history of Handel's Messiah and Haydn's Creation. I purposely timed when I listened to this course so I could listen to the last lecture close to Christmas. The last lecture is by far the best and is dedicated to the history of Christmas music. The professor does a great job explaining the development of the Christmas music tradition.

Pretty good

I enjoyed this course. There were some things my own research has led me to disagree with, but for the most part this is an excellent primer on the development of sacred music. McGuire’s unit on Elgar is particularly enjoyable.

Lovely Overview of Sacred Performed Music

Overall, I thought this was a lovely overview of the sacred music topic. I thought the first section was the hardest for me to be engaged with, but once he started examining in depth works I have seen performed (and some I haven't) I loved it. And the beautiful ending section on Christmas music I saved for December!

My only complaint is that I thought he would be covering more hymns and every day sacred music. After he got past the medieval music, he really focused on pieces by Mozart, Handel and the like, which I am familiar with from the concert hall -- as opposed to pieces I would have known as a churchgoer.

Too short!

I was revelling in the wonderful music...this course could have been twice as long to make me happy!

It does help to know some technical music terminology, or to follow along with the PDF included.

Excellent course!

Interesting and engaging, I have always loved sacred music and this will improve my understanding of it.

Misleading Title

This course would be more accurately titled "An overview of Christian Sacred Choral Music from the Middle Ages to the 19th Century". Professor McGuire clearly has an encyclopedic grasp of his subject, but the material is presented from the perspective of a chorister/theologian, and seems more appropriate for a Theological Seminary than a School of Music.