The Faculty of Theology and Religion welcomed colleagues, students, alumni, and members of the public to the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities on 15 June for the inaugural lecture of Professor Andrew Davison, Regius Professor of Divinity.
Titled ‘The Creed in Music: A Thousand Years of Setting Christian Theology to Music’, the lecture explored how Christian doctrine has been interpreted, communicated, and experienced through music over the course of a millennium.
Professor Davison examined the relationship between theology and musical expression, tracing the ways composers have engaged with the words and ideas of the Christian Creed. Through examples spanning centuries of sacred music, he demonstrated how musical settings of the Creed can illuminate theological themes while reflecting the historical and cultural contexts in which they were composed.
The lecture was interspersed with performances by the Christ Church Cathedral Choir, whose contribution brought many of the themes under discussion vividly to life. Marking the 500th anniversary of the choir's foundation, the musical programme included works by John Taverner and Frank Martin, offering listeners an opportunity to hear how composers from different periods have approached the theological content of the Creed.
The lecture reflected Professor Davison's interdisciplinary approach to scholarship, drawing together perspectives from theology, history, and music.
The lecture concluded with a reception, allowing guests to continue discussions inspired by an evening that demonstrated the rich and continuing dialogue between theology and music.
