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Views from the Choir Loft

Benjamin Franklin Composed A String Quartet

Jeff Ostrowski · July 14, 2014

ENJAMIN FRANKLIN was a true polymath. For example, below is a string quartet he composed. (I know some modern musicologists question whether he actually composed it, but don’t get me started on this topic!)

I WON’T BE MENTIONING Franklin’s many talents: anyone who wants to can Google his name. However, I do think it’s a shame our culture no longer understands the concept of «Renaissance man». In other words, earlier cultures worked harder at developing “the whole man” than we do. People learned about poetry, sight-reading music, and so forth, even though this had no “concrete value” in terms of making money.

Over the past few months, I’ve been to several wedding receptions and social gatherings. Invariably, the Disc jockey has blasted the music at an ear-splitting volume: so loud! So loud! Prolonged listening to loud music damages one’s hearing, and such hearing loss is irreparable. This is a fact, whether we like it or not. How long will our culture tolerate such things? For what reason must the music be blasted at such a deafening volume? What can be done?

I’m afraid I don’t have an easy solution for this, except to say that we must reclaim our culture. We must show our children the beauties of great music: Bach, Chopin, Marenzio, and so on. We can also allow our children to appreciate “light” music, but not when it’s played at such an ear-splitting volume. I have a feeling the music is blasted so loud because so few people know how to engage in proper conversation…

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Benjamin Franklin String Quartet Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
7 June 2022 • FEEDBACK

From Chelan, Washington: “CCWatershed is a God-sent resource that I can’t function without! Such great work by the team to bring beauty back to our liturgy!” From Gainesville, Florida: “I am so appreciative of the work, of my brothers and sisters in music!” From Troutman, North Carolina: “Keep up the excellent work in service of the Liturgy!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“I examined him in your presence, and could find no substance in any of the charges you bring against him; nor could Herod, when I referred you to him. It is plain that he has done nothing which deserves death. I will scourge him, and then he shall go free.”

— Pontius Pilate

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