Philharmonia Debates: Music and Belief
Does a composer need to be a believer to write great religious music? The Philharmonia's debate series explores music, spirituality, and conviction.
Why we picked this
The Philharmonia's debate series consistently finds the questions that reveal something unexpected about music — whether a composer's personal belief matters to the art is one of those questions.
The Philharmonia’s free debate series continues with a question that sits at the intersection of art and faith: does a composer need to be a believer to write great religious music? And how do audiences engage with music that expresses beliefs different from their own?
Hosts David Newsholme, Hari Trivedi, and Teddy Prout lead the hour-long discussion at St John’s Waterloo. The debate precedes the Philharmonia’s Mahler concert at the Royal Festival Hall the same evening, making it possible to carry the questions raised directly into the listening experience.
Free but ticketed. Part of the Philharmonia’s 80th anniversary season exploring music and identity.