Ivan Moody, a world-renowned composer, conductor, scholar, and author, discusses the significance of St. Romanos and St. John Cuckoo's Elis in church music, his family's musical talents, the importance of writing music, exploring chant melodies and influences, sacred art and music, and gratitude for support in the realm of sacred arts.
Father Ivan Moody finds joy in composing music and considers it his primary focus and passion.
Sacred music for Father Ivan Moody goes beyond specific religious contexts and aims to transport listeners to a space that is transparent to the divine and filled with joy.
Deep dives
Father Ivan Moody's diverse accomplishments
Father Ivan Moody is a highly accomplished composer, conductor, scholar, and musician. His prolific work as a composer has been performed and recorded worldwide, earning him a reputation as a world-renowned composer. Additionally, he is a sought-after conductor, scholar with a doctorate, and author of numerous essays and a monograph on contemporary music. Father Ivan is also the visionary chairman of the International Society for Orthodox Church Music.
Personal and Family Life
In addition to his musical achievements, Father Ivan derives great joy from his family. His wife, Susanna, is a professional singer, and together they have three children, one of whom is a tuba player and another who plays the trombone. They take immense pride in their children's musical pursuits. Father Ivan and his family live in Storil, Portugal, where he finds solace and inspiration in the beautiful coastal surroundings.
The Creative Process and the Importance of Writing Music
Father Ivan Moody shares insights into his creative process, emphasizing that writing music is his primary focus and passion. While he engages in various activities related to music, including conducting and musicology, his core identity lies in composing music. As a composer, he constantly explores ideas, letting them develop over time before bringing them to fruition. He values the importance of setting boundaries and the necessity of having a framework for artistic expression.
Defining Sacredness in Music
For Father Ivan Moody, sacred music transcends the boundaries of specific religious contexts and extends to a broader spiritual dimension. He believes that sacred music should transport listeners to a space that is transparent to the divine and imbued with joy. Whether composing pieces explicitly connected to sacred themes or those exploring creation or other subjects, his perspective as a theologian and composer influences the sacredness he finds in all his music.
Fr Ivan Moody is a world-renowned composer, conductor, scholar, author. His music often draws on ancient chant traditions and then takes off into new directions, at once consonant with the past and building on it into timelessness. Listen to this conversation among deeply informed friends.
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