Best Quadrivium Podcasts (2024)

1
Space Whales 39:56

1M ago39:56

39:56

From the alien dolphins in "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" (so long and thanks for all the fish) to the whale on the cover of the They Might be Giants album "Apollo 18," there are numerous examples of cosmic-dwelling cetaceans in science fiction and other space imaginings. Even more interestingly, these space whales' cosmic nature is often tied …

1
SE06 EP17 - The “Viennese” Orchestral Mass and the Work of Johann Michael Haydn - with Dr. Erick Arenas 37:09

3M ago37:09

37:09

The 18th century orchestral mass repertoire comes with all sorts of questions for the liturgical musician. Is this repertoire properly called "Viennese"? Does this music really fit, in style and length, with the sacred liturgy? What does the Church have to say about this style of music? Are there any of these Masses that I can do with my choir? Dr.…

1
SE06 EP16 - Music and the Eucharistic Revival - with Bishop Earl Fernandes 49:41

3M ago49:41

49:41

For Bishop Earl Fernandes of Columbus, Ohio, sacred music and the Eucharistic revival are inextricably linked. When he was consecrated bishop at age 49 in 2022, he was the U.S.'s youngest bishop, and his experience with sacred music as a young person involved a mix of typical U.S. parish music, but also special liturgical and musical experiences so…

1
SE06 EP15 - Medieval Irish Chant: Sources and Liturgical Practice - with Dr. Ann Buckley 44:44

3M ago44:44

44:44

What do we know about music in the earliest liturgies celebrated in Ireland? Did sacred music and the liturgy develop as a distinguishable "Celtic rite" in Ireland? What impact did the Church in Ireland, and specifically the monastic impact of Ireland, have on the European continent? We discuss these and other questions with Dr. Ann Buckley, a visi…

1
SE06 EP14 - Liberal Arts and Fine Arts: Understanding the Trivium, Quadrivium, and the Place of Music in Catholic Education - with Mark Langley 43:26

4M ago43:26

43:26

Having worked in Catholic classical education for decades, Mark Langley knows the place of music in Catholic education, and has built schools in which every student is enabled to learn and sing chant and polyphonic works from the Church's sacred music treasury. Join us for a discussion about where music figures into the educational structure, and s…

1
SE06 EP13 - What is Sacred Music, & Why Does It Matter? with Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone 34:56

4M ago34:56

34:56

Join us for a discussion with the Archbishop of San Francisco, Salvatore J. Cordileone, about principles every Catholic should learn so that they can think with the mind of the Church about sacred music. We discuss the purpose and nature of sacred music, how it sounds, what effect it has on us, and how it expresses time, culture, and emotions. To l…

1
SE06 EP12 - The Final Flowering of Late Renaissance Venetian Choral Music - with Charles Cole and the London Oratory Schola 41:25

4M ago41:25

41:25

Charles Cole joins us with clips from the recent release of the London Oratory Schola's album, Sacred Treasures of Venice. We discuss the crucial role played by Venetian music in the history of sacred choral music, and the particularly fertile atmosphere at St. Mark's Basilica in Venice at the end of the 16th century. Learn more about the London Or…

1
SE06 EP11 - Sacred Music and the “Sunday Experience" - with Bishop Michael Barber, SJ 34:20

4M ago34:20

34:20

How does the experience of Mass on Sunday at a parish affect the lives of Catholics, and what role does music play in that experience? How does sacred music bridge the gap between people of different languages, ethnicities, and backgrounds? Why does the Church spend money on beautiful things instead of only on material goods for the poor? We tackle…

1
SE06 EP10 - Integrating Scholarship and Praxis in the Life of the Catholic Singer - with Dr Charles Weaver 37:57

5M ago37:57

37:57

Where did the chant editions we sing from now come from? What choices were made in the making of those editions? Are other variants of the melody possible? What are the rhythmic implications that can be gleaned from comparing the same melody in different manuscripts? Why do these questions matter to the modern Catholic singer of Gregorian chant? Wh…

1
SE06 EP09 - Gregorian Chant and the Art of Memory: Chant Books (Tonaries) and Florilegia - with Dr. Anna Maria Busse Berger 30:20

5M ago30:20

30:20

Join us as we talk about the interaction between music notation and memory, and the impact of that interaction on the spiritual lives of singers of Gregorian chant. Our guest is Dr. Anna Maria Busse Berger, Distinguished Professor of Music, emeritus, from UCDavis, and we dive into some of the topics from the first few chapters of her book, Medieval…

1
SE06 EP08 - The Sacramentality of Sound: Bells and Their Place in Catholic Life - with Fr. Christopher Gray and Carl Zimmerman 43:33

5M ago43:33

43:33

Join us as we dive into the role that bells have played throughout the history of Christianity in warding off evil and storms, signaling significant temporal and spiritual moments, and the consecration of bells in the Pontificale Romanum. Learn about the manufacturing process and the engineering behind getting bells to sound beautiful, and discover…

1
SE06 EP07 - Your Questions, Answered: Liturgical Q&A about Sacred Music - with Christopher Carstens 44:12

5M ago44:12

44:12

Join the editor of Adoremus Bulletin, Christopher Carstens, and Dr. Donelson-Nowicka as they chat about answers to some liturgical-musical questions: Can we use the organ or other instruments during Lent? During Advent? Where should the choir be placed in a church? Is there a list of songs that are (or are not) permitted? Can paraphrased psalms be …

1
SE06 EP06 - 3 Warmups, 3 Motets, and 3 Polyphonic Masses Every Choir Should Learn - Choral Institute Preview - with Prof. Christopher Berry 36:42

5M ago36:42

36:42

What are 3 great warm-ups you'll be able to fit into your busy parish choir rehearsal schedule? What are 3 motets that most choirs don't do, but that are definitely worth learning? What are 3 polyphonic Mass Ordinaries my choir should learn? Prof. Christopher Berry, an adjunct professor of the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music answers these questi…

1
Total Solar Eclipse Special: "The Narrow Path" 35:58

6M ago35:58

35:58

On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse will sweep across much of North America, within view of millions of people. Most excitingly, the path of totality is coming by Bloomington, Indiana, current home of Cosmophonia! Your hosts have been involved in several music-space events in town, including our very own recital, where we have programmed a nu…

1
SE06 EP05 - Tenebrae and the Lamentations of Jeremiah - with James Monti 33:02

6M ago33:02

33:02

Get ready for Holy Week with an episode about Tenebrae. Frequent author for Magnificat and The Wanderer, as well as multiple books available through Ignatius Press, James Monti, joins us to discuss the structure of Tenebrae, the historical origins of the particular practices surrounding Tenebrae, and the profound meaning in the Lamentations of Jere…

1
SE06 EP04 - Fundraising for an Amazing Sacred Music Program - with Dr. Lucas Tappan 47:59

7M ago47:59

47:59

Budget crunch at your parish? Limited funding for your planned children's program? Join us for a discussion about fundraising strategies that are workable, easily manageable, and make it possible for you to build an amazing sacred music program. We also discuss models for a multi-parish children's sacred music program. Our guest is Dr. Lucas Tappan…

1
SE06 EP03 - Marian Chant: The Music of Lady Masses - with Dr. William Mahrt 38:05

7M ago38:05

38:05

Join us as Dr. Mahrt explains the liturgical practices surrounding the Lady Mass, especially in medieval Salisbury Cathedral. We discuss the texts of the propers of Marian votive Masses as well as the tropes and chants of the Mass ordinary that developed from the daily Lady Mass. Dr. William Mahrt is a professor at Stanford University and serves on…

1
"Neptune" from Holst's The Planets 33:53

7M ago33:53

33:53

Probably the most well-known piece of space themed classical music is Gustav Holst's The Planets. In this episode, we focus on the last movement of the suite, "Neptune," discussing how the timbre and harmony create its signature icy, watery, mysterious soundscape. The suite was completed in 1918, but while selected movements were performed several …

1
SE06 EP02 - It's All Greek to Me (Until It's Latin): The Evolution of Language in the Roman Rite - with Fr. Nicholas Schneider 38:39

7M ago38:39

38:39

What were the earliest language layers of the Roman rite, and how do we know? What is the relationship between liturgical language and everyday speech? When did the Roman rite switch from Greek to Latin? Find out the answers to these questions and more. Our guest is Fr. Nicholas Schneider, who holds a doctorate in sacred liturgy from the Atheneo St…

1
SE06 EP01 - Priests and Musicians Working Together: Salaries, Contracts, and All the Practical Stuff - with Michael Olbash 43:20

7M ago43:20

43:20

Join us as we discuss the expectations musicians and priests should have in working together, and some best practices for working out all the practical details. Our guest is Prof. Michael Olbash, director of sacred music at the Boston seminaries of St. John Seminary and Pope John XXIII Seminary. Learn more about the Catholic Institute of Sacred Mus…

1
"Stardrive" (Uncharted Cosmophony No. 1) 35:30

7M ago35:30

35:30

In this new series, Uncharted Cosmophony, we choose a random, previously unknown to us album that seems to have some spacey elements, listen to it, and then talk about it. This time we chose the 1973 record "Intergalactic Trot" by Stardrive with Robert Mason. The album prominently shows off the capabilities of an early multi-voiced synthesizer, bac…

1
Sonification 37:15

10M ago37:15

37:15

Sonification is when scientific data is "visualized" or communicated through non-verbal sound. In this episode we discuss the affordances (and some cautions) of sonification in science and science communication as well as in musical compositions. The practice of sonification, especially of astronomical data, brings together aesthetic and objective …

1
Music: more than what you hear 7:05

10M ago7:05

7:05

Can you believe that Julie Andrew’s was more than right to sing that the hills are alive with music? Today we’re talking about music as the quadrivium sees it, we’re pushing the boundaries of our understanding and venturing into the deep. I don’t want to give it away, but it’s not just about those beautiful sounds you hear… so stick around. Email m…

1
Math: the elephant in the room 7:58

10M ago7:58

7:58

Those tears over MATH are not tears of joy? How can that be? We’re talking about that elephant in the room of most homeschools – Math- that time of day when anxiety sky-rockets and often overflows into tears. Math often leaves homeschool mamas puzzling and lamenting about what to do about this most hated subject. Stick around as we dive in and expl…

1
The Quadrivium in the Hands of a Child 6:06

10M ago6:06

6:06

This week explore with me how the workings of a child can inspire us to consider the Quadrivium in our classical program. Seeing the arts of mathematics, music, geometry and astronomy as a language in the natural world, a language where pattern, quantity, shape and motion give rise to wonder. Email me at crystal@classicalmattersproject.com Follow m…

1
”Alien” (1979) 38:00

11M ago38:00

38:00

On this Halloween special, we discuss the music and sound design in Ridley Scott's movie "Alien." Blending science fiction and horror aesthetics, the film relies quite a bit on musical cues and jarring juxtapositions of sound environments to create a tense and unsettling atmosphere. References Jerry Goldsmith, Soundtrack for "Alien" Toru Takemitsu,…

1
Alan Hovhaness’s ”Star Dawn” 43:29

12M ago43:29

43:29

What connects Dante's 14th century Paradiso, an early 20th century science fiction novel, and a 13-minute "symphony" for concert band written in the 1980s? It may be surprising but the answer is that they all involve a story where a human travels to Mars and finds it not harsh and warlike but beautiful and awe-inspiring. Like Dante and C. S. Lewis,…

1
Blue Moon 39:39

1y ago39:39

39:39

On this Super Blue Moon, we discuss the superstar tune "Blue Moon." We begin our conversation assessing the contested definition of an astronomical "blue moon," finding surprising parallels with the human-centered vision of the moon that the song exhibits. We then delve into the muddy and fraught history of how the song emerged into the public cons…

1
The Comparison Trap 6:52

1y ago6:52

6:52

We all do it! We compare ourselves to other homeschool moms and generally it doesn't serve us well. Often it will leave us more frustrated and overwhelmed, topped with a feeling of inadequacy. But we often compare because we are in desperate need of feedback. It's helpful to better understand how we are doing, what's going well, and/ what needs att…

1
Paul McCartney’s ”The Kiss of Venus” 37:07

1y ago37:07

37:07

For proof that the ideas of the Quadrivium continue to resonate in modern culture, we need not look further than Sir Paul McCartney. By pure coincidence, we happened to fall in love with the song "The Kiss of Venus" from his 2020 self-titled album, and decide to do an episode based partly on the book "A Little Book of Coincidence" around the same t…

1
The Quadrivium 33:24

1y ago33:24

33:24

The idea that music and the cosmos are intrinsically connected has very deep roots in many human cultures. In Western cultures, one of the most long-lasting ways that this relationship manifest was in the Quadrivium. These four "number arts" were the ancestors of modern sciences and consisted of arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy. Learning …

1
Janelle Monáe’s ”Metropolis: The Chase Suite” 35:14

1+ y ago35:14

35:14

Musician and film star Janelle Monáe began her catapult to fame with her five suite and three album "Metropolis" series, which builds a wonderfully rich futuristic universe, chock full of references that situate it within the traditions of science fiction, Afrofuturism, and music of all genres. In this episode, we focus on the first iteration of th…

1
#29 - Mimetic Wrap-Up 5:56

1+ y ago5:56

5:56

Starting with episode 25, we’ve journeyed through whys, whats and how tos of the 5 stages of Mimetic Teaching. Have a listen because these episodes give us a spring board to get us on our way and set the course to hone our craft. So stick around as we wrap up this mini-series on Mimetic teaching. If you are joining us for the first time today, mime…

1
#28 - 40% of your Mimetic Lesson is spent here 8:00

1+ y ago8:00

8:00

40% of my lesson time should be spent doing what? Crystal Joy Campbell here. Thanks for joining me in Classical Matters. We’re talking about what we should be doing with most of our lesson time when teaching mimetically… and well I don’t want to give it away but it’s not teaching…so stick around. So if you are joining us today for the first time an…

1
#27 - Your Go-To Gal: Mimetic Teaching 10:12

1+ y ago10:12

10:12

I'm back! I know this podcast has been on hold for a few weeks and I deeply appreciate you sticking around. We’ve been exploring the practice of Mimetic teaching. It’s the go-to gal for classical educators, and I want to give you bite size pieces of how to work it into your own homeschool… but summer is approaching and now is the most excellent tim…

1
Moonlight Sonata 37:53

1+ y ago37:53

37:53

The gorgeous and strange first movement of Beethoven's piano sonata Op. 27 No. 2 is one of the most popular piano pieces of all time, but there are many secrets that lie below its placid surface. We discuss some of the ways that the piece evokes moonlight and nocturnal landscapes. References The recording we used was played by Malcolm Bilson from "…

1
SE05 EP16 - Charles Tournemire as Liturgical Organist: Improviser & Composer of L’Orgue Mystique with Kevin Faulkner 42:53

1+ y ago42:53

42:53

As he works on finishing up his biography of French Catholic organist, improviser, and composer Charles Tournemire, Kevin Faulkner joins us to discuss Tournemire's studies with Franck, his career as an organist, his improvisations, a look at his overall compositional output, focusing on works for the organ, and how his monumental composition L'Orgu…

1
SE05 EP15 - All about Rogation Days - with Dr. Michael Foley 23:57

1+ y ago23:57

23:57

Coming to you on April 25th, the Major Rogation Day, we're joined on this episode by Dr. Michael Foley, professor of patristics at Baylor University, to look at the origins of Rogation Days, as well as their meaning, liturgical and paraliturgical observances, and significance in our lives today. Check out Dr. Foley's books here: https://michaelpfol…

1
Star Trek Themes Part 2 37:48

1+ y ago37:48

37:48

The anticipated second half of our Star Trek themes discussion! We get very excited about The Next Generation, and then get very opinionated about Enterprise and Discovery, while ultimately finding some redemptive qualities about them.By Cosmophonia

1
SE05 EP14 - Sanctifying Time: The Hours of the Divine Office through the Day and through the Liturgical Year - with Dr. William Mahrt 45:58

1+ y ago45:58

45:58

In the midst of Holy Week, we invite you to join Dr. William Mahrt (Stanford) for a tour in time through the lens of the Divine Office. We discuss theological thoughts on time by St. Augustine, natural vs. supernatural senses of time, the structure of the Divine Office throughout the course of one day, and the different intersecting cycles which ma…

1
SE05 EP13 - Becoming a Sacrifice of Praise: Advice for Choral Directors for Pursuing Musical Excellence & Developing a Polyphonic Repertoire in Parish Choirs - with Christopher Berry 51:52

1+ y ago51:52

51:52

Looking for fresh ideas about how to take your parish choir to the next level, developing a repertoire of well-prepared polyphonic motets and ordinaries, helping your singers develop their technique and musicianship, and integrate it all into the bigger spiritual picture of the offering of one's very self united to the sacrifice of Christ on the cr…

1
#26 - More Mimetic 9:20

1+ y ago9:20

9:20

Welcome to Classical Matters, I’m Crystal Joy Campbell your host. Thank you for joining me today as we peel back another layer of Mimetic teaching. This teaching method used by classical educators can really transform your homeschool so stick around. Email me at crystal@classicalmattersproject.com Follow me at www.classicalmattersproject.com Or of …

1
SE05 Bonus 1 - The Role of Beauty and the Church's Sacred Music in the Spiritual Life, Intro to the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music - with Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka 52:15

1+ y ago52:15

52:15

We've combined two episodes here of another podcast, A Culture of Beauty with host Sequoia Sierra, in which our host, Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka was interviewed. She's talks a little bit about her experience of growing up Catholic and discovering the Church's teachings on music later in life, discusses some key concepts about that teaching and a…

1
SE05 EP12 - The Lives and Musical Education of Child Oblates in Medieval Monasteries - with Dr. Susan Boynton 41:30

1+ y ago41:30

41:30

The medieval practice of the giving of children as oblates to monasteries affords valuable insights into education during the Middle Ages, as well as into the development of pedagogical techniques for teaching the liturgy, Latin, and sacred music to children. Join us for an episode in which Dr. Susan Boynton, Professor of Historical Musicology and …

1
#25 - Mimetic Teaching - a powerful tool for the educator 6:43

1+ y ago6:43

6:43

What if just one tool could help you improve how you teach classically? Would you want it? Today we’re starting to break open this one powerful tool that can transform not only our homeschool lessons but our teaching as well. It’s something we all should have in our tool belts. So stick around as we explore Mimetic Teaching Email me at crystal@clas…

1
SE05 EP11 - Lessons from Mary Berry on Persevering & Loving Gregorian Chant in the Midst of Trials - with Christopher Hodkinson 43:03

1+ y ago43:03

43:03

The remarkable life and work of Mary Berry is inspirational, especially for those experiencing trials or hardships as they work to promote the Church's own vision for Her sacred music. She offers lessons in persevering in one's vocation in the face of challenging circumstances, and the holiness that can and ought to flow from a life of scholarship,…

1
SE05 EP10 - Teaching Gregorian Chant to Young People: The Canticle Apostolate - with Mary Ann Carr Wilson 40:03

1+ y ago40:03

40:03

Maybe you've thought about hosting a Chant Camp at your parish, or you're looking for ways to keep your young singers engaged as they grow up in the children's choir. The work of Mary Ann Carr Wilson and her apostolate Canticle is inspiring in the way it models catechesis through teaching chant, musical development, and the cultivation of student l…

1
Star Trek Themes Part 1 37:08

1+ y ago37:08

37:08

What is a more iconic space art than Star Trek? As both Meredith and Gabe are Star Trek nerds, we thought it a fitting beginning to our frontier into this podcast series. While of course music is omnipresent in the franchise in underscoring and even musical-themed episodes, we focus for now on the theme songs, discussing how they are put together a…

1
SE05 EP09 - Organ Improvisation, Hymn Tune Introits, and Cathedral Choir Schools - with Dr. Christoph Tietze 28:05

1+ y ago28:05

28:05

The long and impressive career of Dr. Christoph Tietze, Director of Music at St. Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco, makes for an interview that covers a lot of ground, including helpful tips for improving one's improvisation skills, steps to take if you're thinking about building a choir school, and an overview of his project on creating a collecti…

1
SE05 EP08 - Mocquereau’s “Classical Solesmes” School of Singing Chant: Understanding the Arguments about the Rhythm of Gregorian Chant – with Prof. Charles Weaver 42:19

1+ y ago42:19

42:19

Questions about how to sing Gregorian chant can get a little thorny when people who love the chant and have a lot of experience singing it get together. For a newcomer to chant, these questions can seem irrelevant or overwhelming, especially when it's not clear what people are so passionately discussing. In this interview with Prof. Charles Weaver …

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