Michael Parloff: Lecture about Music and Spirituality

Michael Parloff’s lecture on music and spirituality is the first part of a two-hour Encounter entitled “Expressing the Inexpressible.”
Part 1 was recorded on August 2, 2012 at Music@Menlo, David Finckel and Wu Han, co-Artistic Directors. It includes a discussion and performance excerpts* from composer Andrea Clearfield’s "Tse Go La" ("At the threshold of this life"). The cantata was inspired by Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and music that Ms. Clearfield recorded and transcribed during her 2008 and 2010 treks to the remote Himalayan region of Lo Monthang in the Mustang District of Nepal.
What is Spiritual Music?: 00:00
Clarinetist David Krakauer discusses and demonstrates Jewish Klezmer Music: 09:27
Introduction to Andrea Clearfield’s "Tse Go La": 16:34
About Drones: 26:45
Continued discussion of "Tse Go La": 34:03
Full performance of the final movement of “Tse Go La”: 50:45
*This video includes excerpts from the premiere performance of "Tse Go La," which took place on April 29, 2012 at Holy Trinity Church on Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia. The choral performers were the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, Alan Harler, Artistic Director and the Pennsylvania Girlchoir. They collaborated with the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra.
The Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia posted the following 3'20" video about Andrea Clearfield, her collaborators on her Himalayan treks, and the musical/philosophical inspiration that informed her cantata "Tse Go La": • Composer Andrea Clearf...
Part 2: Michael Parloff presented an undated version of his lecture on Haydn’s Seven Last Words of Christ at the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society on March 31, 2019. That lecture can be viewed at • Michael Parloff: Lectu...

[@stefanhall3219]

There aren't many people who speak intelligently about music. Micheal is an exception.However,I was very hesitant about this lecture because the subject is such a difficult and challenging one. I was very surprised. Micheal does not disappoint. From my heart I thank Micheal for doing a super job of making sense out of an elusive subject.

[@pchabanowich]

So much evoked herein, and the magical realm of Tibetan Buddhism as it approaches the Bardos. Thank you again, Mr. Parloff, for so beautifully unpacking this infinite subject. Names like Pendereski and Paart came to mind as I listened to Tse Go La. It is astonishing the weightless character of the music, even in its intense glitter and complexity. And lo, that quiet and stealthy wit, its tickle irresistible, would prevent me attending your presentations as my laughter is explosive and likely would be disruptive. 🤭💐

[@militaryandemergencyservic3286]

1 Thessalonians 5:23 defines man as being of 3 parts: spirit, soul and body. Music is part of the soul - the spirit is the part where God dwells.

[@enki2958]

It might be wide fetched but I think that speaking is language of the mind and music is language of the soul. Dancing might be language of the body.

[@garrysmodsketches]

Thank you for uploading!

[@michaelparloff1155]

And thank you for watching!

[@debashismitro3255]

ThNx for this wonderful lecture.

[@firstussecondus1088]

Perhaps the "Spirit" responded starting at 1:19. Watch the sheet music on the piano...😁

[@joycebeasley-ali5333]

Ikr...I saw that

[@Liv-hk7zi]

What was the second drone sound called? I couldn't catch what he said

[@michaelparloff1155]

The beginning of Mahler's 1st Symphony.

[@richardburt9812]

Yiddish and klesmer!

[@conradvancouver7276]

Leonard Cohen ... Bird on the Wire ... Suzanne ... Hallelujah ...

[@gianlucabersanetti6454]

Wonderful lecture, as always. I can't stand the habit of religion of highjacking human artistic endeavor and "spirituality" (a slippery and loaded word, if any) and misappropriating their only verifiable origin (us). At most and its best, great art, great music can intimate the transcendent, but not prove in any way its origin or the veracity of religious claims. Arguing in terms of "Bach ergo God" is not only a non sequitur, but an insult to man's great achievements. Music's bag is exceedingly stuffed with tricks, which is especially clear to musicians. Unfortunately, this is often looked upon by non-musicians as a mysterious realm of incantations, and therefore as something not of this world. No matter what, until the tall tales of religion have been proven first and not only asserted, the most intellectually honest position is to accept that all we have is our brain and its wonderful but limited capabilities. This said, it's only fair that we should still leave the door of "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" open. The rest is good for entertaining armchair-style discussions. Thank you for all you do for great music.

[@michaelparloff1155]

Dear Mr. Bersanetti, Thank you for watching my talk on Music & Spirituality and for offering your intriguing comments. I very much enjoyed hearing your wonderful Baroque and classical-style compositions on KZbin, and your charming Minute Dances for Wind Band. Bravo!

[@gianlucabersanetti6454]

@@michaelparloff1155 Dear Mr. Parloff, it is such a treat to hear that you listened and liked some of my music! I truly appreciate your comment, and will continue to look forward to your fantastic lectures and talks. I especially cherish and often go back to watch your videos on Shostakovich's life and music. Thank you again. Best, G. Bersanetti.

[@michaelparloff1155]

@@gianlucabersanetti6454 kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZbUdKx4lrZ4g9U) and the Art of Fugue (kzbin.info/www/bejne/j52bfmSMrqaGrM0) sometime when you have a few moments.

[@michaelparloff1155]

@@gianlucabersanetti6454 Thank you again for your kind comments. I’m sure that, as a composer, you have a deeper functional understanding of Bach’s contrapuntal techniques than I do, but you might enjoy perusing my Bach-to-Bach talks about The Musical Offering (kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZbUdKx4lrZ4g9U) and the Art of Fugue (kzbin.info/www/bejne/j52bfmSMrqaGrM0) sometime when you have a few moments.

[@michaelparloff1155]

@@gianlucabersanetti6454 Thanks again. If you're only in your 50s, you've still got a good 10 years to catch up with Bach. Good luck! - Warm regards, Michael