High-minded distractions: 1. Archbishop Laud's Fantasy Evensong League

"Give great praise to the Lord, and little Laud to the devil."
 
Some may think "Fantasy Evensong League" sounds a bit dubious; or quite possibly that fantasy and evensong are semi-tautological. I am using the term in the sense of "fantasy football league" as played by slightly geeky teenage boys in England - choosing your favourite players from history and deciding who would play where, who would score goals, who would win, in a hypothetical match. i make no comment on semi-tautology.

Archbishop Laud is remembered for promoting free will over predestination, and for (re-)introducing a lot of ceremony and hierarchy to the Church. For now, I will reserve judgement on the hierarchy and the general theological context of all the ceremonial poncing about; but I will say that Anglican music would be rather poorer if all we had was Merbecke and metrical psalms sung by the congregation. Thank goodness for Charles I's serious taste in music and Laud's willingness to take it seriously.

Twice a week, I sit in the Cathedral taking part in the Evensong service, wishing I knew more about how it all worked.  My preoccupations are (1) musical, (2) historical, and (3) sort of sociological.

(1) Anglican repertoire includes some amazing compositions, and some absolute tosh. Each week, I'd like to find the *best* music written that can legitimately be performed within the constraints of the Lectionary/ Church season: Mass settings, Canticle settings, anthems/motets, Preces & Responses, Psalms, hymns (with particular emphasis on musical quality of the setting) and voluntaries for organ or other keyboards or chamber ensembles.

(2) History is done best with appropriate examination of primary and secondary sources (ignoring postmodern arguments about the relative existence of primary or secondary sources). Each week I'd like to examine the primary sources of the texts prescribed in the lectionary. Firstly, as texts (e.g. noting variation in interpretation between the Vulgate, Wycliffe, Tyndale, Geneva, King James). Secondly, as texts that have a meaning in various historical contexts.

(3) We can usually hear the readings, if we manage to keep concentrating. Given the sound system and the diction, prosody and theology of those giving the sermons, we can usually only follow the sermon if the bishop's there. Thus I'd like to reflect a bit on whether there's anything to be wrung out of these ancient texts that is of value to the non-religious in the C21st.

This blog is intended as a jumping-off point for either publishing or linking to worthwhile analyses of current affairs relevant to NZ. At the moment I'm trying to get an idea of whether anyone would be interested in contributing material.

Section for contributions could include:

Environment

Education

Welfare state

Health

Science

Economy

What's happening in Parliament

What should be happening in Parliament
 
High-minded but worthwhile distractions: the arts, philosophy, ethics, religion (& lack thereof).


Constructive comments and contributions will be appreciated.