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Description
In this programme the Rev. Dr. Erik Routley, a former President of the World Council of Churches, and author of 'The Musical Wesley's' (Barrie and Jenkins 1969) discusses the social work of the Wes...ley in relation to the religious poems of Charles Wesley and their musical settings. Both John Wesley and Charles had strong views on the possible relationships between music and religion and about the possible uses of evocatory and inspiring religious poetry, 'the words of Methodist hymns are triumphant and heady. Sin is 'cancelled', sinners are 'restored to happiness.' But, the musical settings are elegant and contemporary, for the Wesley's had strong contacts with secular musicians like J.F. Lampe who played in the Covent Garden Opera. The combination of evocation and elegance was, in its own time, a potent force. In this programme Erik Routley discusses and analyses the transformed religion - a dynamic religion in which theological and moral emphases are heightened by inspiration - of which Charles Wesley's hymns are part, and Cyril Tawney, a well-known folk singer from an area of the country where Methodism is still strong, sings excerpts from several of the hymns. Quotations are read by Andrew Sachs and Alan McClelland. Dr. Erik Routley is a Congregational Minister in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
In this programme the Rev. Dr. Erik Routley, a former President of the World Council of Churches, and author of 'The Musical Wesley's' (Barrie and Jenkins 1969) discusses the social work of the Wes...ley in relation to the religious poems of Charles Wesley and their musical settings. Both John Wesley and Charles had strong views on the possible relationships between music and religion and about the possible uses of evocatory and inspiring religious poetry, 'the words of Methodist hymns are triumphant and heady. Sin is 'cancelled', sinners are 'restored to happiness.' But, the musical settings are elegant and contemporary, for the Wesley's had strong contacts with secular musicians like J.F. Lampe who played in the Covent Garden Opera. The combination of evocation and elegance was, in its own time, a potent force. In this programme Erik Routley discusses and analyses the transformed religion - a dynamic religion in which theological and moral emphases are heightened by inspiration - of which Charles Wesley's hymns are part, and Cyril Tawney, a well-known folk singer from an area of the country where Methodism is still strong, sings excerpts from several of the hymns. Quotations are read by Andrew Sachs and Alan McClelland. Dr. Erik Routley is a Congregational Minister in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
| Module code and title: | A202, The age of revolutions |
|---|---|
| Item code: | A202; 31 |
| Recording date: | 1971-09-06: 1971-07-21 |
| First transmission date: | 25-09-1972 |
| Published: | 1972 |
| Rights Statement: | Rights owned or controlled by The Open University |
| Restrictions on use: | This material can be used in accordance with The Open University conditions of use. A link to the conditions can be found at the bottom of all OUDA web pages. |
| Duration: | 00:18:22 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | John Selwyn Gilbert |
| Contributors: | Erik Routley; Andrew Sachs; Alan McCelelland; Cyril Tawnwy |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Methodism; Music and Religion |
| Master spool number: | TLN29FM186J |
| Production number: | TLN29FM186J |
| Available to public: | no |
