PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

January 26, 2025

MUSIC AS A MIRROR OF HISTORY

Recently, I watched The Great Courses’ 24 lecture series “Music as a Mirror of History” by Professor Robert Greenberg.  Dr. Greenberg is Music historian-in-Residence with the San Francisco Performances and the composer of more than 45 works for a variety of instrumental and vocal ensembles.  In his 24 lectures Dr. Greenberg explores the way in which “history inspires the creation of certain musical works – and how those works interpreted and memorialized the history that inspired them (Music as a Mirror of History Course Guidebook, p.2).”

Here are just a few of the works the professor explored.  War is a common theme among several of Greenberg’s selections.  Ludwig van Beethoven’s Wellington’s Victory (1813) commemorates a battle fought on June 21, 1813, between a French army led by Napoleon’s brother and an English army led by Arthur Wellesley.  Joseph Haydn’s Mass in the Time of War (1797) was composed in response to Napoleon’s conquests in Italy. Johann Strauss’s Radetzky March (1848) celebrates the route by Habsburg troops led by Count Radetzky over Italian forces at Custoza on July 24 and 25, 1848.

Revolutions are another theme that Dr. Greenberg explores.   Claude-Joseph Rouget de L’Isle’s “La Marseillaise” (1830) became the French national anthem in 1830.  The song was a rallying cry for revolutionary France.  Frederic Chopin’s “Etude in C Minor, Op. 10, No. 12” was inspired by the “destruction of a Polish uprising and the capture of Warsaw by the Russians on September 8, 1831 (Music as a Mirror of History Course Guidebook, p. 66.”  The revolution in Hungary in 1848 and 1849 brought musicians Johannes Brahms and Eduard Remenyi together and inspired some of Brahms’ compositions.

I grew up during the Eisenhower years.  For me the decade was characterized by the music of Rosemary Clooney (White Christmas), Perry Como (Begin the Beguine), Patti Page (Tennessee Waltz), and Pete Seeger (On Top of old Smokey).  Seeger also is an example of the growing influence of folk music during the 1950’s.  For me the 50’s music was bland, unassuming, and tranquil.  It was a great time to grow up without much outside pressure.

All of this changed with the coming of the 60’s and 70’s.  The music became a mirror of the revolution that was taking place in American society.  The three appearances of the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 introduced American listeners to the music that was taking a new generation by storm.  Many a sermon was preached against the gyrations of Elvis Presley.

What was taking place within the Christian community was mirrored in praise music and chorus.  They were replacing the traditional music and hymns.  Guitars became an important part of a worship service.  The rise of first Lay Witness Missions and then the Walk to Emmaus became settings where this new music served an important function.  The music of Charles Wesley was a mirror of the revival that had taken place in England in the 18^th century under the leadership of his brother John.  Spirituals provide a mirror into the African-American experience.

Music provides an important mirror of history.  We have only been able to explore a fraction of the topics which might be explored.  Perhaps, this article will inspire you to do some digging into a slice of history that you find particularly interesting.

(Comments may be sent to davidh15503@embarqmail.com.)