classical music with a christian message please

[LaBelleDameSansPatience]

Hi. For my y6 lesson on Wednesday I need some examples of how Christians teach about Christianity through music. Obviously I can find some hymns, but I also wanted some amazing pieces of classical music written with a Christian message .... just can't really think of anything right now!

There are quite a few "Passions" - at least a couple of famous ones by Bach. They tend to get performed in big churches and cathedrals in Holy Week, so are still used for "teaching". Handel's Messiah, that's another biggy with lots of scripture in it.

At the other end of the scale, how about more modern church music that isn't actually hymns. eg stuff by Roger Jones

There are loads of oratorios with a liturgical message eg Handel's, 'Messiah' which include the famous 'Alleluia' chorus.

Bach wrote 2 'passions' for easter - the St Matthew passion was one of his final works and dozens of cantatas (ie songs) arranged for various groups of instruments.

There are lots of masses - Mozart eg

Faure's Requiem

Elgar's 'Dream of Gerontius' for orchestra, choir and organ is the prayer of a dying man.

Yes, good idea. Off to google Messiah and find some appropriate bits.

Would have to explain 'passion'; they'd have quite the wrong idea (although perhaps they need to widen their vocabulary).

It might be a way to get their attention though LeBelle!

I'd second The Messiah, LaBelleDame.

Loving of 'All we like sheep', illustrated with pics of ... erm ... sheep. (Should give Y6 a giggle!)

If you want to contrast with something more modern, John Rutter is a contemporary composer of sacred music. is his version of Psalm 23 (The Lord's My Shepherd).

And of course, for a contrast of a different sort, you must show them the 'silent monks' !

Bach was a passionate guy OP - IIRC (am not that old but you know what I mean) - he had 20children. :o (laughs at own joke)

They might have heard Pie Jesu on Britain's Got Talent two years ago.

Love the silent monks, but feel it might not produce the kind of 'calm and purposeful working atmosphere' I am trying to produce. Likewise the sheep. Off to look up John Rutter.

We are a very rural school, too. They'll probaly criticise the husbandry!

The original Hallelujah chorus is fantastic - loud, fast and dramatic.

How about Christmas carols? Several were set to popular folk tunes and were sort of 'hymns lite' for the masses.

I think its best to choose music which is sung in English.

I love "Jesu Joy of Man's desiring". "Ave Maria" by Schubert is beautiful but it is very RC. is lovely. Would you want your year 6 class to hear music performed by children of their age.

"Pie Jesu" and modern classical piece and is a requim mass.

Mozart's Ave Verum Corpus

The Messiah - He Was Despised is a really good example of biblical teaching through song

Benjamin Britten - This Little Babe, fab Christmas Carol

John Rutter is really good for something a bit more modern and easily accessible. Also, plainsong is very calm and purposeful.

Some lovely ideas - now I have so many I don't know which to choose!