Darien Library presents a new four-week, Tuesday lecture series on music and faith taught by Gil Harel. (Watch his previous lectures.) All lectures take place from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Community Room at Darien Library, starting this Tuesday, Nov. 20.

— an announcement from Darien Library

The Renaissance to J.S. Bach

This Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.

The study of what scholars call “early music” is dominated by the works of composers whose faith informed and inspired their creativity.

While music played a role in every aspect of European life, few people had the skill to notate and thus preserve their works for posterity.

Thus, most of the music that survives from this early period is associated with the Catholic Church and the clergy who possessed the training to translate sounds into arcane symbols that became modern musical notation.

This early period of music history culminated in the life and works of Johann Sebastian Bach, a German Lutheran whose works continue to inspire today. With Bach, we see the apex of baroque liturgical music represented in the impressive body of works known as “cantatas.”

About the Presenter

Gil Harel (PhD, Brandeis University) is a musicologist and music theorist whose interests include styles ranging from classical repertoire to jazz and popular music, as well as opera, medieval, and renaissance music.

Previously, he has served on the faculty at CUNY Baruch College, where he was awarded the prestigious “Presidential Excellence Award for Distinguished Teaching”, as well as the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in Chengdu, China.

Currently, he teaches at Naugatuck Valley Community College, where he was recently presented with the coveted “Merit Award for Exemplary Service to the College.”

At NVCC, Dr. Harel conducts the college chorale, teaches music history and theory, and serves as musical director of theater productions. Outside of teaching, he enjoys staying active as a pianist and vocalist.