May 2008
"The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?"
Ecclesiastes 6:11
April 2008
"Christ lag in Todesbanden/ Für unsre Sünd gegeben,/ Er ist wieder erstanden/ Und hat uns bracht das Leben;/ Des wir sollen fröhlich sein,/ Gott loben und ihm dankbar sein/ Und singen halleluja,/ Halleluja!"
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
adapted from "victimae paschali laudes" by Wipo of Burgundy (11th century)
Luther Hymns
March 2008
"[The] divergence between theory and practice did not exist in earlier periods. The domains of teacher and composer, of didactic and creative thought, were joined rather than opposed."
Alfred Mann
from the preface to The Study of Fugue
February 2008
“Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.”
Proverbs 4:7-8 [NIV]
April 2007
"I do not believe that I can call back composers from the unrestrained insanity of their writing to normal standards."
Johann Joseph Fux (1660-1741)
from gradus ad parnassum
March 2007
"Once and for all, then, let it be said that in Harmony progressions of parallel fifths and octaves are prohibited."
Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
from Guide to the Practical Study of Harmony
February 2007
"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy .. in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry and music."
John Adams (1735-1826) 2nd President, United States