Melomanes (Ear for Music) (1935)

Marcel Brunery's Melomanes (Ear for Music) dates to 1935 and cheerfully hangs at Warrington Art Gallery where I inspected in the autumn. The two cardinals appear rather comical, one playing a great cello while his companion, who sits but five feet away, seems to have trouble hearing. Or is the cardinal in scarlet simply enjoying the beautiful sound made by his crimson colleague?

Whatever Brunery’s intentions, it reminds me of our species’ passion and talent for music. This has no evolutionary benefit and is one of those many peculiarities which secular scientists find hard to fathom, seeing as it has no reproductive or survival benefit. When one believes in a Creator God, however, who makes His image-bearers lesser versions of Himself, at least regarding taste and enjoyment, then we may easily account for it. Individuals might be tone deaf and tuneless, but they can still enjoy and appreciate the offerings of those who are not. Music shows that we have come from Eden, not the primeval sludge of atheistic lies.

And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the Lord, which David the king had made to praise the Lord, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood. 2 Chronicles 7:6

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