A number of readers have written to me about the essay I wrote on the failure to develop a satisfactory philosophy of music, asking where they could find further information.

Although not raised by particularly religious parents, Olivier Messiaen described himself as having been "born a believer," and remarked that the most important function of his music was "[to shed] light on the theological truths of the Catholic faith."

The book that had to be written, and has to be read. - America A book certain to elicit both furious denunciation and standing ovations. The Christian Century

Sacred songs that contradict church teachings or have congregants take on the voice of Christ should be laid to rest.

The importance of music in biblical religion is shown very simply by the fact that the verb "to sing" (with related words such as "song", and so forth) is one of the most commonly used words in the Bible. It occurs 309 times in the Old Testament and thirty-six in the New.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg on 27th January 1756, and his 250th anniversary is being celebrated this year in concert halls and on the airwaves all over the Western world.

Valentino Miserachs Grau, president of the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, is calling for its revival. Pope Benedict XVI wants it, too. But the path is full of obstacles.

Some Greek thinkers and past civilizations in general have held that good music disposes man to virtue whereas bad music disposes man to vice.

To say that music is the most Christian of the arts may seem a contentious statement. Yet what is often forgotten is that all the other art forms were highly developed before the Christian age. Music was the only exception.

The question as to why he died so young is always superseded by: How could he have existed at all? How could you ask more of a miracle?