Musical Meditation for the Third Sunday of Lent

Last updated on: January 19, 2015 at 2:51 pm By Joseph Susanka

As I reflected on Andrei Tarkovsky’s “The Sacrifice” last week, I was reminded of the wonderfully Lenten aria that serves as its musical backbone: Erbarme Dich, mein Gott from J.S. Bach’s Matthäus-Passion. My recommendation? Don’t watch. Just listen. Erbarme dich, mein Gott, Um meiner Zähren Willen ! Shaue hier, Herz und Auge Weint vor dir bitterlich. Erbarme dich, mein Gott ! Translation: Have mercy, Lord, for my tears’ sake! Look at me, my heart and eyes weep to Thee bitterly. Have mercy, Lord!... Read more

Calming the Waves of the Pope’s Departure

Last updated on: January 14, 2015 at 6:34 pm By Joseph Susanka

“Do not be afraid,” I tell myself. “He’s still in the boat.” These are momentous times for the Church. Changing one’s shepherd under normal circumstances is already an historic, life-changing event. Add in the wrinkle of searching for a new shepherd as the last one is still settling into his new (and still very much earthly) home, however, and the term “momentous” begins to feel inadequate. Yet as Benedict XVI’s papacy fades, I find myself strangely, distressingly detached. View image... Read more

Urgent Netflix Alert: Tarkovsky’s “The Sacrifice”

Last updated on: January 19, 2015 at 3:23 pm By Joseph Susanka

If you (like me) do the vast majority of your movie viewing through Netflix Watch Instantly, and if you (like me) are inexpressibly-but-powerfully drawn to obscure, challenging, metaphysical magnum opera, then today is your lucky day: Andrei Tarkovsky’s The Sacrifice (Offret) is currently streaming. Alexander, a retired professor who lives on a remote island, is planning to celebrate his birthday with his family and friends. A radio announcement declaring the start of World War III interrupts the festivities; warplanes can... Read more

Lenten Listening with Pavel Chesnokov

Last updated on: February 25, 2015 at 12:31 pm By Joseph Susanka

Today, as I crunched my early morning way through the blinding, post-storm whiteness, Pavel Chesnokov’s “Salvation is Created” popped unbidden into my head. I did not complain. WARNING: I’m not entirely sure for which liturgical season this piece is most appropriate. My instinct — based on the lyrics — is that it was written for Christmas, but I’ve always found it deeply Lenten in tone and mood. Of course, I think that’s true for nearly all Russian sacred music; something... Read more

Mesmerizing Time-Lapse Imagery of Austria’s Lake Hallstatt

Last updated on: March 17, 2017 at 3:16 pm By Joseph Susanka

This, my friends, is what’s known as “doing time-lapse video right.” (HD imperative.) Lake Hallstatt has been referred to as the “melancholic lake”, the “still fjord” and the “vision of a perfect mountain lake”. It is a classic relic of the Ice Age and it has a total area of 858 square metres lying between the steep Obertraun and Hallstatt mountains and Bad Goisern. It is the fifth largest of the Salzkammergut lakes. Gorgeous, breathtaking stuff. I’m not a fan of the... Read more

Whistle-Stoppin’ Through Wednesday

Last updated on: March 17, 2017 at 3:16 pm By Joseph Susanka

Wednesdays have always been the toughest workdays for me to handle. Mondays and Tuesdays are propelled forward by the left-over energy of the Weekend Past, while Thursdays and Fridays are pulled along by the gravity of the Weekend Future. But Wednesdays just sit there, obdurate. Which is why Brandon Vogt’s mention of Roger Miller’s beloved “Whistle Stop” is the most valuable thing that’s happened to me all day. Inspired by its cheery playfulness, Saturday feels suddenly within reach. Hopefully most... Read more

Baseball’s Springtime Reminder

Last updated on: January 26, 2015 at 2:57 pm By Joseph Susanka

It’s happening again, as it does every year. I’ve got a fever; a debilitating, devouring, demoralizing fever. And the only prescription is more baseball. Luckily, it’s late February. So I should be able to get this cleared up in no time. View image | gettyimages.com Renewing my subscription to the priceless (I wish) MLB.TV? Check. Gearing up for (and way, way over) Saturday’s Spring Training openers? Check. Refreshing the Dodger website every couple of hours just in case something happens? Check. Taking a... Read more

Bobby McFerrin on the Danceability of Bach

Last updated on: September 30, 2015 at 3:42 pm By Joseph Susanka

For those in search of a reason behind the posting of this clip, none shall be given. Other than the respectful suggestion that they watch it again. And again, ’til the need for an explanation is washed gently away on the waves of pure awesomeness. Additional Bach and McFerrin links, however, are readily available. And. How. The source behind this particular clip — Michael Lawrence’s Bach & Friends — looks fascinating. “World-class musicians share their innermost thoughts and personal reflections... Read more

Rounding Up Oscar’s Animated Shorts

Last updated on: March 17, 2017 at 3:11 pm By Joseph Susanka

With the 85th Academy Awards just ’round the corner, I spent the last few days scouring the Internet in search of nominees in the only category about which I truly care: Best Animated Short. Finding streaming versions online can be a tricky business, as they crop up and then vanish from various video sites like a strange game of Wack-a-Mole; the dreaded “This video has been removed by request” never far from the picture. As a result, I have no... Read more

Into the Wilderness

Last updated on: January 19, 2015 at 12:51 pm By Joseph Susanka

Therefore, in the punishment, and also in the malediction of the soil, there remains a good intention that comes from God. When he says to man, “You are dust and to dust you shall return!” together with the just punishment he also intends to announce a path of salvation, which will travel through the earth, through that “dust,” that “flesh” that will be assumed by the Word. It is in accord with this salvific perspective that the verse of Genesis... Read more