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Saturday, December 24, 2011

Handel's 'Messiah'





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Podcast Episode Summary


Credit: Wikimedia Commons

A Short History of the Christmas Masterpiece



You know it’s Christmas when you hear Handel’s Messiah, an 18th century oratorio best known for the 'Hallelujah' chorus. Its words are taken from the King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer, covering the entire arc of Christ as the Christian savior - from Isaiah’s first prophecy to his ascension into heaven. This week we find out why, 270 years after it was first composed, it remains one of the most beloved choral works in all of Western music.


Ellen Harris, ethnomusicologist and professor of music at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Listen to Handel's 'Messiah'

 

52- on faith 2011

Five Years 'On Faith'

Begins at 25 min 30 sec

Five years ago, Washington Post reporter Sally Quinn – a devout non-believer - decided to tackle one of the touchiest topics in all of journalism. She created the Web site and blog, On Faith, which has become a public forum for clergy, scholars, and the interested public to reflect on religion in the news.



Sally Quinn, Washington Post columnist and moderator for "On Faith"

Credit: Andrew Bowen

Project Conversion: Reflecting Back on a Year of 'Spiritual Promiscuity'

Begins at 39 min 15 sec

This week we say a sad farewell to Andrew Bowen, creator of Project Conversion. We’ve followed him as he slept on the floor as a Jain monk, got harassed as a Sikh, celebrated Passover as a Jew, and fasted as a Muslim – among other things.
He joins us with his wife, Heather, who says the year was “the greatest challenge, blessing and threat” to their seven-year marriage.

Pictured: Bowen praying the Rosary. He spent December practicing Roman Catholicism.

Andrew Bowen, creator of Project Conversion, and his wife, Heather Bowen

 


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