“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” -Ephesians 2:10
I deeply appreciate composers’ efforts to create masterpieces in symphonic literature. “All to the greater glory of God – Omnia ad majorem Dei gloriam” is the inscription on Anton Bruckner’s Mass in D Minor. This Latin phrase describes many of his other orchestral and choral works. His deep faith in God is relayed to us through huge romantic era musical works. His symphonies are typically 4 movements long, and each movement is 10-25 minutes in length. When you listen to Bruckner you are “in for the long haul.”
I first encountered his music one night while writing a paper in high school. I did not usually listen to the classical station, but that night I decided to do so. A piece of music was just beginning, I did not know the title, but I was gripped immediately by the opening french horn solo. I decided to listen so that I could catch the name of the piece. Without knowing it would take 65 minutes until the end of Bruckner’s 7th Symphony! I was hooked, and I chose to write my paper about him and that symphony. I even had the chance to hear the New York Philharmonic play that same symphony later that year.
When we encounter greatness and true beauty in art it leaves an impression on our soul. We are able to see how Christ’s love and suffering touched that artist’s heart and what pain and beauty came from it.
Logan Fish, St. Luke’s Director of LifeLight
