Author Description
One of the finest and most influential hymn-writers of our age, Timothy Dudley-Smith has published around 400 hymn texts. In this fascinating book, the author explores not only the writing of hymns but many other aspects including the study and singing of them. It is not a history, a text book, or an academic treatise, but the personal reflections of an experienced practitioner who has been speaking and writing on this subject, on both sides of the Atlantic, for more than fifty years. His armchair reflections draw freely on the writings of others, and in a discursive, almost conversational, style.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates the craft, purpose, and theological significance of hymn writing through the lens of a seasoned practitioner. Timothy Dudley-Smith, a prolific author of over 400 hymn texts, utilizes his fifty years of experience to provide a personal examination of the medium. He moves beyond formal history or academic theory to offer a discursive, conversational exploration of how hymns are composed, studied, and performed within religious communities.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Personal reflections on the creative process of hymn writing
- Observations on the role of congregational singing in worship
- Analysis of historical and contemporary hymnody
- Citations and dialogues with other prominent writers in the field
Scope Limits
- Does not function as a comprehensive historical textbook
- Avoids rigid academic or musicological analysis
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Readers and scholars of hymnology frequently note the accessible, conversational tone of the prose, which makes complex theological and musical concepts approachable for laypeople. Experts highlight this as a valuable primary source for understanding the practical realities of modern hymn composition.
Page Count:
174
Publication Date:
2017-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0193408716
ISBN-13:
9780193408715
Non-Fiction
Memoir
Music
Christianity
Criticism history
Hymnology