RSVP here
Dr. Evan O’Dorney will give a lecture (concurrent with a light dinner) on the Christian roots of Western musical styles, touring how scales, melody, harmony, and form have operated in the music of various periods (Gregorian chant, Renaissance, Baroque, etc.) and stood the test of time for over 300 years.
In certain recurring structures, he argues for images of the story of salvation history, even in pieces of secular genres. These features distinguish Western music from the age-old traditions of non-Christian peoples, and they have challenged composers to create works of enduring beauty that have shaped Western culture and are now admired by many around the world. He argues that part of the work of evangelization is to reclaim these traditions, which are in danger of being copied mechanically and then abandoned for lack of appreciation. An infinite supply of new music lies in wait to be written.
RSVP requested but not required (to help us gage how much food to prepare!)
Beatrice Institute students, staff, and faculty will attend the PSO’s rendition of Beethoven’s “Pastoral” after the lecture. If you would like to sit with our group, we are in rows J-N on the bottom floor, right side (facing the orchestra). Come introduce yourself!
Evan O’Dorney
Evan is a postdoctoral research associate in mathematics at Carnegie Mellon University, specializing in number theory. This is his second year living in Pittsburgh. He sings in the choir and plays the organ at Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish in Pittsburgh. He also plays and composes piano music and can improvise in classical styles. While in graduate school at Princeton, he gave his fellow students occasional short talks on music theory which will be expanded upon in this talk.