Christian Composer Sets Islamic 99 Names to Music

From the New York Times: John Tavener - The Beautiful Names.

for Mr. Tavener to have written “The Beautiful Names,” a meditation on the 99 names of Allah, commissioned by no less than Prince Charles, for performance in a Roman Catholic cathedral does raise certain issues. For one, the charge of opportunism. For another, the risk that Muslims, who don’t exactly value music in worship, might not be appreciative.

I don't know why the Times has to pontificate on what 1.4 billion people might think of a piece of music. I just want you to read about this new work of art premiering in England.

Demagogues and politicians and egotists preach division. Artists and mystics reach for union. I throw my lot in with the artists and mystics, thank you.

Comments

[Leela]

I don't understand the comment that Muslims don't value music in worship. That seems rather ignorant. As far as I've been told, it's only extremists who don't like music (not exactly limited to Muslim extremists), and there is a great deal of sacred music in the Islamic world. Even secular music from that part of the world often has a spiritual sensibility. It's there if you just open your ears; you don't even have to know all there is to know about it.