Metanarrative

Note: Ongoing information regarding this project can be found at metanarrative.net.

 

The Vision

Back in 2002, I began to write two grandiose "rock operas" (for lack of a better term). I called these "Truth and Beauty Opus" and "Passion Suite." The former aimed to provide a sweeping overview of all history, from creation to consummation. The latter opened with the temple cleansing and (as the title implies) focused upon Jesus' passion, culminating in the resurrection.

As you can see by the thematic scope of these projects, both were intended to be lengthy compositions, comprised of several movements. I expected each to wind up somewhere in the 25-30 minute neighbourhood.

Although I had allowed these projects to sit on a back burner for some time, in 2005 I decided to revisit the musical vision that I began with these two works.

On my return to work, however, I decided to place the "Passion Suite" into its appropriate place in the larger context of the "Truth and Beauty Opus," and renamed the whole Metanarrative. Doubtless, my reach has far exceeded my grasp, but I have undertaken a task of composition and recording that I anticipate will take me where I have never been before, musically speaking.

In 2005, I began amassing the hardware and software necessary to do a serious recording.

This recording project is now in production stage - the Old Testament set of movements in this double-CD set is perhaps 80% complete. This is a very time-intensive process, because at this point I am composer, musician, producer, and engineer - plenty of learning curve all around!

Musical Style

Musically speaking, what will Metanarrative be like? Well, I suppose that what I want and envision are generally rather different from how things turn out. I suppose my musical vision is bigger than my instrumental abilities. At any rate, the "rock opera" terminology used above is not completely unsuitable. (I'm identifying the genre as "epic rock," with elements of classical, folk, Gregorian, and opera.) Those who find rock music altogether distasteful will doubtless dislike huge swaths of this project. (Regarding my position regarding rock music, see my essay at the Biblical Studies Center, "A Creational Perspective on Modern Music.")

That said, my musical vision, as limited as my abilities are, is very strong on melody and (if I dare use such terminology in the same breath as my own music) artful beauty. I am intensely interested in classically-based progressive rock ("prog"), and I fully intend that to the best of my ability, this work will reflect that predilection more than anything I have previously done. (I don't know if I will dare call it prog, since prog is generally performed by amazing musicians, which I am not. But the general nod is in that direction.) Which means that I hope to have a very classical foundation and sound. We'll see how it turns out.

I should stress at this point that the intention of this work is not to produce "ecclesiastical music." While I envision the possibility that some of the material may be appropriate for corporate worship, that is not what this is about. I never push for rock music in the worship of the Church. Neither, for that matter, is most classical music suitable for corporate worship. (Most of our psalms and hymns would be better described as high folk music than classical.) There are many things which legitimately bear witness to God's glory that do not belong in the gathered assembly. Sexual activity, for example. Therefore, although I make no apology for the musical style, neither do I push it where (for the most part) it does not belong.

Want More Information About Metanarrative?

I have created metanarrative.net for the long-term promotion of this work. That site provides extensive material - complete lyrics, composition versions for download, and even a prose accompaniment to the sundry movements. So if the project sounds like something that may interest you, please be sure to visit.