Ilkley Baptist

It's many weeks since I started thinking to Beethoven's Late Quartets. I have been listening and thinking on and off through the summer, but this is a heavyweight subject and I haven't had anything to say.

A small thought occurs, though. I was interested to read about Beethoven's own studies. He knew Bach's music since as a boy he was taught the 48, but seems to have returned to study it deeply later in life. Many of his late works contain fugues, and he became a master of this form which Bach had so developed. In addition, he became interested in 'the songs of the monks' - plainsong - and modal music. This is present in the Late Quartets, in Op. 132. This music looks back several centuries, as well as, in other places (the Grosse Fuge) anticipating music that would not be written until the following century.

The thought is that Beethoven was here grappling with the limits of music itself, with tonality and the capabilities of expression. There is an I-thou encounter to be had between artist and material (as WH Vanstone suggests occurs between God and us). Until recent times the word 'great' has been thrown around in absurd ways by those speaking of painters and musicians. What on earth does it mean, except that I and my friends approve of this 'great' music above all that third-rate stuff? Well, perhaps it might mean, properly used, that at times artists push the boundaries of themselves, their material, and the tradition of their artform. At these rubbing points there are discoveries to be made. Art is not just self-expression, but encounter.

The impatience of traditionalists with conceptual art, that it does not include craftsmanship or craftswomanship, may have a point in that the limits of materials can be part of the creative process.

I don't agree with what the pope said, but I think it may turn out to be a good thing that he did.

I think he emphasised reason, in his speech, too one sidedly. The Christian faith is about heart and relationships as well as logic and understanding. Jesus, in the synoptics, thinks with his guts. It's not just about being right, even if you are pope, but about being an imaginative friend to others, and he didn't get this right. In fact is was an astonishing misjudgement.

However, he has said he is sorry. He has responded to the outrage (some of it far too eagerly enjoyed) and has looked human, almost warm. There is now a genuine dialogue. Muslims and pope, each are aware that there is a person on the other end of the exchange, and this can only be good.

I've always felt that goodness isn't so much about never getting it wrong, but about how we deal, creatively, with ours and others errors.

Our website is now up, and almost worth visiting! Find it at www.ilkleybaptistchurch.co.uk, or click here.

Now, what should go on it? As you can see I haven't managed to load the one picture that should be there. Perhaps someone can teach me, or perhaps for the time being it would be easier to stick to words only. But what words? More information about current events - or is that better here? (This is easier to add to. I don't have to construct pages with a special 'editor.')

Should there be more detail about the church? General stuff about Christianity? Sermons? Baptist Union links?

Please have a think and let me know.