I love writing about God’s creation, and how in Paul’s words, that “God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.” However, there is always a moral quality to God’s revelation of himself in creation because he finishes that thought with, “so they are without excuse.” Nobody on judgment day will be able to complain to God that, “Well, there just wasn’t enough evidence that you exist!” The purpose of creation, rather, is that God’s creatures will worship him, rather than creation itself. How could we not worship one who is so magnificent in power and glory and creativity and genius that he could create everything in the universe out of nothing! Including Bach! And people who could enjoy Bach, like you and me! Not to mention, sound and rhythm and melody and harmony!
I was thinking these kinds of thoughts that are always rolling around in my head as I was listening to Rick Beato talk about Bach’s stunning creativity and virtuosity. And Beato is primarily a pop music guy, so I was very interested to hear what he had to say. It’s worth a listen if you not only want to be amazed by Bach, but by the God who created Bach! I made similar observations about an interview he did with Pat Metheny last year from whence the quote came that we are all unworthy compared to Bach. They get to the end of their ability to fully describe their amazement, and just can’t say anymore. The more is God! Beato does the same thing here.
At about minute 20 listening to some spritely piece by Bach, he starts grabbing and shaking his head, and says, “Wow!” He then continues, hands on his cheeks exclaiming, “The brain that can hold this music in it, the genius!” And there he is only talking about the pianists who have memorized the pieces and can play them with such feeling and artistic flair. He follows this with, “And, then there’s the guy that came up with them,” and he laughs, adding, “The guy who came up with this stuff, right, then there’s Bach!” He points out that the musicians just play the music, but Bach wrote all of it, and flummoxed he delares, “It’s just mind boggling that someone three hundred years ago could write things like this.”
I love the look on his face and the furrowed brows as he tries to comprehend what he clearly can’t find comprehensible. As he was saying all this, I yelled, “Rick, it’s God!” I asked the rhetorical question, “As amazing as Bach is, Rick, are you not far more amazed by the being who could create a Bach!” Not only that, but he gave this man the tools to be able to do something so amazing, including his mind, nervous system, ears, personality, etc.
Many times in his still young life, I’ve told our youngest son who is very much into music and a musician, that I feel sorry for those who think the music is just about the music. No! All things point to the Creator of those things, and only in understanding that can we truly enjoy them for what they are, no more, no less. Bach knew it was about much more than just his music, which is why he signed all his works, soli deo gloria, to God alone be the glory!
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