Currently Browsing: Music
You just can’t go wrong with any of the dances from Terpsichore – at least I think so! Enjoy this clever YouTube and dance through the day!
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This morning I saw a resplendent peacock on the wall at the Fountain of Youth, home to a sizable number of peacocks and peahens. This peacock was obviously looking for “companionship,” but there was just one problem. He was facing the street. And the chances of an interested peahen driving by were about nil. The peahens were behind him. (And probably too busy looking for bugs to notice.) He needed to turn around.
How often is that the case with us? There we are – with all our...
Occasionally, you read something that stays with you, that continues to influence your thinking, that crystallizes an issue or fact. The so-called “seminal essay.”
For me, “Gothic Pillars and Blue Notes: Art as a Reflection of the Conflict of Religions” by Quentin Faulkner has been one of these. Originally published in The American Organist in 1998, this three-part essay is available at the digital archive of the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Go find it and read it.
One...
Occasionally I find myself at Masses where Gregorian chant makes an appearance as “dress-up music.” It may be tossed in as a prelude or perhaps as an addition to the music at Communion time. Now I’m not talking about singing an introit before a processional hymn or chanting the appropriate Communion antiphon or Eucharistic hymn. I’m all for chant making its way back into the liturgy.
No, instead this is unexplained Latin chant where the congregation has no idea what it means or...
Last Sunday found me at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston, South Carolina for the 11:15 am Mass. Admittedly, I know Scott Turkington, the choirmaster and principal organist – and yes, I already knew he’s fantastic. However, I hadn’t been there for a “principal Mass” for some time and wondered how things were going.
Well, let’s just say that the choir and the organ “rocked”! The music covered several centuries and did it gracefully. ...
Back from a splendid holiday in London. Yes, it was soggy and it did seem to get dark awfully early. However, there were always museums to visit and pubs to warm up in.
The best part – three splendid liturgies and a wonderful carol service. At Westminster Cathedral and the London Oratory, music is important. And they obviously put their money were their mouths are (to use an odd phrase). When you get the best in directors, singers, and organists and when you recognize that the Church’s...
A few weeks ago I played for an outdoor wedding in St. Augustine. One of the staples of wedding ceremonies now is the officiant with a wireless, the assumption being that no one would be able to hear him without it. This wedding was an exception.
Think of Eric Clapton’s “Unplugged” album.In this case, the minister, a preacher in his 80s, was unplugged!
Would we hear anything he said? Would we just be watching his lips move?
Guess again –
Everyone had to pay attention and everyone listened. Everyone...
Praetorius on Tuesday Morning
Maybe You Just Need to Turn Around
Beauty is Evangelical
In response to Pope Francis’ statement on wanting a church which is poor and for the poor. You can read all of it here. “I trust that as we get to know Francis better he will make this clearer. That he has a preferential option for the poor is already clear and admirable and inspiring, but I thought we already are for the poor and always have been, although — of course — there is always more to do. But by “a Church which is poor” does he means humble? Poor in spirit? Is he talking about...Gothic Pillars and Blue Notes – Quentin Faulkner on Art and Religion
Chant as Color?
Now THAT’S Cathedral Music!
Worship Songs Made Easy
Today seems to be going from the sublime to the ridiculous. And this so reminds me of youth group music experiences, except we always could fall back on Peter, Paul & Mary. Thanks to Southern Orders! Share and Enjoy:Georgian Voices in Corsica
Having dug out from some major projects, I thought it best to come back with a song. What could possibly be better than Georgians and Corsicans combining for some fantastic polyphony? Share and Enjoy:London Christmas, Musical Moments
“Unplugged at the Wedding”
Glad you asked! I’m Mary Jane Ballou – a free-lance musician, living in St. Augustine, Florida. As an instrumentalist on the harp and salterio, I perform primarily on the lever harp. My repertoire focuses on Celtic and early music. I’m a particular fan of Renaissance Spanish music – always looking for the elusive ties between Spain and the Celts. I’ve two CDs – one of music about St. Augustine, the other about Christmas. You can hear more on my website or on CDBaby.
I am the founding director of Cantorae St. Augustine, a women’s ensemble focusing on chant and sacred music. I conduct, cajole, and arrange for a wonderful group of women. More about them at Cantorae. Because unique music is my passion, my weekly radio show on Flagler College Radio features both early music and interesting contemporary works.read more