Musically Speaking

In this week’s episode, we explore how a composer famous for grand tone poems turned to 16th-century lute melodies. Ottorino Respighi, best known for Fountains of Rome and Pines of Rome , also created three exquisite chamber suites in his Ancient Airs and Dances . We’ll hear snippets of Suite I’s sprightly “Gagliarda” and Suite III’s lilting “Siciliana,” then share three reasons why these intimate...

This week, I’m taking a closer listen to one of the most charmingly bittersweet duets ever recorded, “Can’t We Be Friends?” by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. There’s something about this track that makes you smile even as it sings about heartbreak. In this episode, I share three reasons why this performance still speaks to us: it feels like a real conversation, it wraps humor around heartach...

This week on the Friday Five, we discuss the uniquely American musical form known as the fuging tune. Featuring Nehemiah Shumway’s SCHENECTADY set to Isaac Watts’ “From All That Dwell Below the Skies,” this episode walks through three key characteristics of fuging tunes and shares how they reflect both musical creativity and congregational participation. Here’s a recording: https://www.youtube.com...

This week, we take a brief look at William Byrd’s Sing Joyfully unto God —a six-part setting of Psalm 81 and a standout example of English Renaissance choral writing. As we typically do, I’ll offer several reasons why you should know and enjoy this remarkable work of sacred choral music. Here’s a link to a recording: https://youtu.be/wRm0mS6UrH8 The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast seri...

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...

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....

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...

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: http...

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 su...

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...

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...

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...

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 episo...

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 Read full story 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. Th...

This week’s episode is focused on singing together around the table. 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 a fun story about Artificial Intelligence and music. 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

Ken Myers is the founder of the Mars Hill Audio Journal . In this episode, we feature an excerpt from a Q&A session at the 2015 Auburn Avenue Pastors Conference, where Ken Myers discusses why more Chinese people are studying Bach than Westerners studying Chinese classical music. The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music comme...

In this episode of the Friday FIVE, I briefly highlight Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Musical Offering” (BWV 1079) and James R. Gaines’ “Evening in the Palace of Reason: Bach Meets Frederick the Great in the Age of Enlightenment. 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 past Sunday was the Superbowl, and before the game gets underway, there is always a buzz about the National Anthem. This episode of the Friday FIVE features some musical examples and commentary around the National Anthem and Jon Batiste. The Friday FIVE is a weekly five-minute podcast series from Musically Speaking that features five minutes of music commentary, examples, and recommendations...

This special Thanksgiving episode of Musically Speaking brings an episode of Redeemer Talk , where I discuss one of the most well-known hymns of this season of the year to highlight the often-forgotten trait of thankfulness in church music and culture. Hear excerpts from J.S. Bach's Cantata 192, 79, and Mendelssohn's Symphony 5 fourth movement. A written version of this post was published in the C...

In this reairing of our fifth episode of Musically Speaking , we take a listening tour through the rhythm, tune, and text changes that have come to Martin Luther’s famous hymn on Psalm 46. Below are button links to the PDFs mentioned in this special Reformation Day episode. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jar...

In this latest podcast episode of Musically Speaking , you can hear the conclusion from a lecture given by Jarrod Richey at The Classical Thistle Conference in Missouri last week. Here’s an excerpt from that lecture: Music is a genuine way to better understand God's world and character in a fuller way. And what if we give as much focus on singing as logic proofs? What if Latin was sung as much as...

John Mason Hodges, the director of the Center for Western Studies in Memphis, TN, sat down with me to discuss how themes of law and grace are present in Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables and how the Broadway musical does a magnificent job of underscoring those Christian themes. If you don’t believe me, listen to Maestro Hodges make the case for why Christians should appreciate and enjoy this great work...

This episode features a bit of Listening Lagniappe in the form of excerpts from several conferences where music, particularly pastoral music concerns in worship, was discussed. Featured audio excerpts from Scott Aniol, John Hodges, Peter J. Leithart, and Ken Myers. Topics include pastoral music concerns, hymnody as folk music, music literacy, and singing in parts/harmony. These clips in longer for...

This episode features John Hodges of the Center for Western Studies in Memphis, TN in a conversation we had recently about music, beauty, and metaphor. John’s insights are well worth your time. He will be here in northeast Louisiana on June 29 for the 5th Annual Bach Lectures leading a live lecture-recital performance of Bach’s Cantata 51 . Find Out More About John’s Work at The Center John Hodges...