Ben Sigel was Professor of Music. The service begins with organ music (00:00-08:09). Ben Sigel Johnson is introduced as the faculty lecturer (08:10-11:14). Johnson begins his lecture by speaking about music expressing theology, and the title of his lecture is “The Theological Viewpoints of Four Master Composers” (11:15-14:30). Johnson’s first composer he presents is Johann Sebastian Bach, and he says the Bach’s Lutheran upbringing inspired music that expressed a human’s mystical union with Christ (14:31-18:16). Johnson’s second composer he presents is Ludwig van Beethoven, and he says that Beethoven had a profound faith that was revealed in his music though he was nominally Catholic (18:17-23:32). Johnson’s third composer he presents is Felix Mendelssohn, and he says that Mendelssohn’s music was influenced by the theology of Friedrich Schleiermacher but with a greater appreciation for the Old Testament (23:33-30:08). Johnson briefly compares the liturgical compositions of Franz Liszt and Anton Bruckner (30:09-33:32). The final composer Johnson presents is Johannes Brahms, and he says that Brahms’s music expresses the mercy of God (33:33-39:08). The choir sings an ensemble from Johannes Brahms (39:09-45:19). Johnson concludes his lecture by walking through one of Brahms’ ensembles (45:20-49:34). The service ends with a word of prayer (49:35-50:27).
