The arrival of Springtime(-ish) in Wyoming is always a bit of a moving target. We’ve had some early Springs in our eight years (meaning something sort of April-y) and we’ve had some late ones (falling a bit more in the mid-to-late May range). But it’s all part of the charm, right? Besides, as Sean (Second Son) remarked recently at the table as our latest round of flakes fluttered gently to the ground, “it’s only March.” So there’s no reason to expect warmer... Read more
In the past few days, as part of #MyLentInMusic project, I have spoken of my attachment to the wonderful work of Charles Bruffy and his Chorales — both Phoenix and Kansas City. What I have not yet spoken of (but which is no less true) is my attachment to the wonderful (and wonderfully Lenten) All-Night Vigil of Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff. It’s filled with wonderful music, but I’ll call especial attention to the sublime Bogoroditse Devo (Rejoice, O Virgin), which is one of the most... Read more
Inspired by yesterday’s selection, here’s another setting of “O vos omnes,” this time from the masterful Tomás Luis de Victoria. This particularly setting serves as the fourteenth of his Tenebrae Responsories, of which there are eighteen. All are worthy additions to any Lenten Listening List. (And all are here, thanks to The Sixteen.) O vos omnes qui transitis per viam: attendite et videte si est dolor sicut dolor meus. Attendite, universi populi, et videte dolorem meum. Si est dolor similis sicut dolor meus.... Read more
“She should have died hereafter; There would have been a time for such a word. Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day To the last syllable of recorded time, And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more: it is a tale Told... Read more
Today’s Lenten musical selection is a traditional Holy Week motet from the lengthily-monikered Pau Carles Salvador Casals i Defilló: “O vos omnes.” Master Defilló (aka, Pablo Casals) is perhaps better known — OK, surely better known — for his transcendent performances as a cellist than for his compositions (or for his significant contributions as a teacher). And while his fame as a performer is surely justified, this motet suggests that it might be time for his compositional contributions to gain on it, just a bit. O vos... Read more
David Wolter, the creator of the great little short I posted last week — “Eyrie” — brought this week’s short to my attention when he listed it as his favorite ever. And while I’m more of a “Geri’s Game” man myself, it’s easy to see what he loves here. Wonderful imagery, simultaneously Escherish and impressionistic. And also just about a minute long. More an idea than a story, really. But that’s one of the things I really, really love about short films. An animated... Read more
Heading back to Thursday’s entry for just a second, here’s the aforementioned Alexander Grechaninov’s “Behold the Bridegroom” from his aforementioned Passion Week. I saved it for Sunday to so as to offend our H-Word sensibilities as little as possible. Gorgeous. (The whole thing is not to be missed, actually.) Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia Behold the Bridegroom comes in the middle of the night: and blessed the servant whom He shall find watching but unworthy is he whom He shall find in... Read more
In keeping with the day, a Marian (but also Lenten) selection: “Quando corpus morietur” from the Stabat Mater of Giovanni Battista Pergolesi. (I especially love the wavering strains of the “Amen.”) Quando corpus morietur, Fac, ut animæ donetur Paradisi Gloria. Amen When my body dies Grant that to my soul is given The glory of paradise. Amen Attribution(s): “Christ on the Cross with Mary and St. John” by Rogier van der Weyden from The Web Gallery of Art (Image/Info) and licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia... Read more
It’s been less than a week since the Oscars ground their 3+hour-way through my Sunday, and this is already pretty much the only thing I can remember. Yep, that’s Will Arnett. In Val Kilmer’s Bat Suit. And yes, that’s Devo’s (and Wes Anderson’s) Mark Mothersbaugh. And Roots drummer ?uestlove. A mishmash of such random awesomeness that I guess it’s really not at all surprising that it’s still stuck in my head. (Which seems fitting, since there was virtually nothing surprising about the rest... Read more
And now, in a bit of a departure from the last few days, here’s a piece that’s neither Russian nor Romantic (but still somber): the “Beschluss” from Heinrich Schütz’s Johannes-Passion (SVW 481). After picking this, I realized that Schütz’s Passions are the only a cappella ones I can recall at the moment. They’re unusual that way (at least in my book). Also, the entire work is worth your time, and available via the Tubes of You. O hilf, Christe, Gottes Sohn,Durch dein bitter Leiden,Daß wir stets... Read more
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