With Halloween past, and the first snow of winter to have fallen the very same night, I am reminded of more somber thoughts than candy, costumes and celebrations.
Winter is upon us. Summer is a memory. Our remaining days tick on and our darkest hours are likely ahead, but that is okay as long as we can hold on to the memory of times when the sun was shining and the hope that we will see it shine again.
PS: Here is the section of "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" where "Evenstar" is played, as Lord Elrond tells Arwen of the "bitterness of mortality"…
This is possibly one of the most beautiful songs ever. It is certainly up there. It is serene and melancholy, yet thick and powerful. The first time I took not of it was in a scifi video game, "Homeworld", after the destruction of an entire planet. An appropriate choice for such an event! All the best classical eventually ends up as part of some soundtrack somewhere. I think it is good for everyone to have at least that exposure.
Originally it was composed by Samuel Barber for a string orchestra and is only the second movement of a larger piece, his "String Quartet, Op. 11". I tend to favor the choral renditions though.
Of course if you'd prefer something with a bit more of a beat (and electronic beat specifically), or a version you could dance to, there is William Orbit's version:
Some may like it better, others may consider it blasphemy. I consider it an interesting "cover".
A distant family member died this past week and I attended his funeral this morning. It is sad. Yet it is good at the same time, knowing he had had health issues for years. Given the large attendance, he will certainly be missed by family and friends.
At the end of the ceremony a hymn, "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee" (words written by Henry van Dyke in 1907) was sung sounding much like this with the organ, and I thought it a fit ending to such a ceremony:
It reminded me of the original words by Friedrich Schiller (in 1785) and music composed by Beethoven as the fourth and final movement of his Ninth Symphony (finished in 1824), and thus, the song of the day it is.
To hear the movement from the start, as performed by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Leonard Bernstein, here you go:
Today is a big day in Canada. With the Olympics in Vancouver concluded and with a Gold Medal in the Men's Hockey (and also the Women's), Canada as a whole must be feeling on top of the world. The grass may not look greener today in all of Canada, but the snow probably looks whiter, the maple dipped donuts sweeter (mmmm…. Tim Hortons), and the poutine more delicious than ever! I congratulate Canada on their success in the games and especially in the Men's Hockey game yesterday, where I rooted for Canada. Some may mark me a traitor, but I know how much it meant to you Canada, and I want you to be happy so when I come to visit you, you are still your delightful self.
(USA, buck up. You still brought home the silver in the Hockey and you made the Canadians fight to the bitter end for that Gold. Generally not known for fighting, Canadians will fight for their hockey! Also with 37 medals the USA is the most decorated country in a Winter Olympics ever. Let's not forget that my stereotypically lazy and yet over achieving in athletics countrymen.)
In honor of Canada, I present the national anthem of Canada, "O Canada", music written by Calixa Lavallée in 1880. It has been a staple in the "soundtrack" of these Olympics. Though I am not Canadian, I often think it would be fun to be one. Because I am not Canadian, and with Russia hosting the next winter Olympics in 2014 in Sochi, I decided the rendition of Canada's anthem by non-Canadians, and by the Alexandrov Ensemble Choir of Russia specifically, would be appropriate. It would be nice to think we are are all feeling a little Canadian today!
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
Ô Canada!
Terre de nos aïeux,
Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!
Car ton bras sait porter l'épée,
Il sait porter la croix!
Ton histoire est une épopée
Des plus brillants exploits.
Et ta valeur, de foi trempée,
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits
Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.
Song Recommendations
If you like this song, I also suggest the music genre:
November 1st is "All Saints' Day" (in the Roman Catholic Church at least). "All Saints' Day" is also known as "All Hallows". "Halloween" is named because it is "All Hallows' Even – e'en is a shortening of even, which is the origin of the words 'evening' and 'eve'." The day after "All Saints' Day" is "All Soul's Day". The three combined make up the "Festival of the Dead". I have always marked them and celebrated them for I like the darkness and indulgence of Halloween, followed by the solemnity of "All Saints' Day" and "All Soul's Day". They are very much the end of what was (summer) and the beginning of what will be (winter). All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day are also frequently a time when I pause to remember those I knew who have passed "All Saints' Day" and "All Soul's Day".
This is as "religious" in the traditional sense as I get I suppose (though there is a certain magic to Christmas). Musically I generally avoid many of the newer religious songs played in church, and "Christian Rock". So many of them seem so hokey and contrived, like some sort of bad folk rock concert every Sunday. Blech! Even when I was young I wondered why they didn't play more of the great mass compositions by the classical composers. There is no shortage of them. I suppose it might have required a good organist or even a multi piece orchestra and choir (likely unavailable at the church I grew up going to), but still it would've made the experience all the better. For my song for today, "All Saints' Day", here is one of pieces I am refering to, the "Kyrie" from Franz Schubert's "Mass in G" (AKA "Mass No. 2 in G Major"). It is also a piece I myself have performed with my college choir and a nice contrast to the Halloween songs though I am somewhat sad my Halloween song list will grow no more (until next year… *evil laugh in the distance*).
Now Carlton Draught beer … maybe I'll cut you some slack. But only because the men are all in medieval style gowns in a giant valley, and it appears as though there might actually be a battle. However part of me is disappointed about the lyrics. It just cheapens the original, though I suppose it is funny. Ok, I forgive you, but only because I like beer!
The MP3 (of the version by Leonard Slatkin with Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, which I believe is the same one as above) may be purchased here…
One of the creepier (and best) movies I've watched this year is Coraline. I've been itching to watch it again because it is perfect for Halloween. The music also has an eerie tone, as large children's choirs frequently do. Perhaps there is just something creepy about a large group of children all doing the same thing at the same time. Unnatural perhaps?
Written by French composer Bruno Coulais, the song is sung by "The Children's Choir of Nice". Can you hear the French? I was straining to understand the lyrics until I learned all the lyrics were intentionally gibberish, some actual words mixed in but no meaning behind the phrases:
Creaking Van Iddli Fla Lu Va
Pretty Sah Lu Feh Iddli Twu Ki Padi
Trelly Goilly Doilly Seli Pretty Chedi
Emi Swalin Gwoh
Seri Ferin Dorin Greh
Fairy Seiry Don
Sweedes Machin Twinky Doo
Fweeden Soreti
Oosi An Tweeban Retiso
Neh-Neh Fehreeden
Sindwee Bin Doh
Swin Ting Lan Twenty Some Dring Doli
Sweet Lan Bih City Tran Dolinda
Pretty Leheleni Switi Kull
Meli Swimmin So
