Musically Speaking

This week on the Friday Five, I’m sharing a choral piece that surprised me with its beauty and depth, even though the text is a list of names. I first heard it live in 2023 during a performance by The Tallis Scholars, and it’s stayed with me ever since. In this episode, I’ll give you three reasons why I think it’s worth your time, too.

Here’s a link to the Tallis Scholars’ recording of Arvo Pärt’s “Which Was the Son of…”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5recq2Ff2P8

Here’s the link to hear it on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6mCoEtnzkB0Xptoypsbq3z?si=a0d4245b54f043fd

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jarrodrichey.substack.com

What if the gospel story could be told not by listing its events, but through the songs that have accompanied them? In this week’s episode, I reflect on James Montgomery’s 19th-century hymn Songs of Praise the Angels Sang, which creatively traces redemptive history from creation to resurrection to eternity through the lens of music.

Here’s a link to the Coventry Singers’ recording: https://youtu.be/Snu0LzeYfjY

Here’s a recording of David R. Erb’s setting also mentioned in this post: https://youtu.be/24ATk3sinf8

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jarrodrichey.substack.com

This week on the Friday Five, we journey down the Vltava River with Bedřich Smetana’s The Moldau, one of classical music’s most vivid tone poems. From bubbling springs and forest hunts to moonlit waters and rushing rapids, this piece tells a sweeping story without a single word. Host Jarrod Richey shares three reasons for listening and how a river can speak through sound.

Here’s a recording link: https://youtu.be/kTfOzsL8hpE?feature=shared

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jarrodrichey.substack.com

Fresh off last night’s concert, this special episode of the Friday Five reflects on the Delta Youth Chorale’s Spring 2025 concert, held just last night. Featuring live excerpts from the choir, including György Orbán’s electrifying Daemon Irrepit Callidus, Jarrod Richey shares three takeaways from the evening that celebrated truth, goodness, and beauty through song.

Here’s a recording link: https://www.youtube.com/live/4ToVZUKBFbw

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jarrodrichey.substack.com

What do a 19th-century Czech composer and a blockbuster film score have in common? In this week’s Friday Five, we explore the fiery opening of the 4th movement (Allegro con fuoco) from Dvořák’s New World Symphony and trace a musical thread you might not expect. One moment, one motif, three minutes of orchestral drama that may sound...oddly familiar. Take a listen. The sea of sound just might surprise you.

Here’s a recording link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCct_tSQ8WY

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jarrodrichey.substack.com

In this week’s episode, we turn to Bach’s St. John Passion—a gripping masterpiece. From its fiery opening chorus to its peaceful closing chorale, this Passion delivers urgency, intensity, and beauty in every movement. Discover four reasons you should make time for this masterpiece before Easter Sunday.

Here’s a recording with subtitles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtRA1zUajf0

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jarrodrichey.substack.com

In this week’s episode, we turn to Bach’s St. John Passion—a gripping masterpiece. From its fiery opening chorus to its peaceful closing chorale, this Passion delivers urgency, intensity, and beauty in every movement. Discover four reasons you should make time for this masterpiece before Easter Sunday.

Here’s a recording with subtitles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtRA1zUajf0

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jarrodrichey.substack.com

This episode explores why Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. Matthew Passion is more than just a masterpiece — it’s a sacred experience. From its roots in Good Friday liturgy to its unexpected impact in Japan, discover four reasons this timeless work deserves your attention before Easter Sunday.

Here’s the link to the article on "J. S. Bach in Japan" - https://firstthings.com/j-s-bach-in-japan/

Here’s a video with English Subtitles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMNjZf5dQeU

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jarrodrichey.substack.com

This week’s episode briefly discusses the role of the choir when it comes to congregational singing in worship.

The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jarrodrichey.substack.com

This week’s episode is features a setting of Psalm 46 that is enjoyable and accessible to sing.

Psalm 46 (NKJV) PDF

Psalm 46 (NKJV) Accompaniment PDF

Singing Psalm 46 (NKJV)

Jarrod Richey

·

August 1, 2023

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The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations from Jarrod Richey.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jarrodrichey.substack.com