Gurdjieff and Tsabropoulos-”Chants, Hymns and Dances”

Chants, Hymns and Dances is an not album about dance music. And, not in the classic sense, really not about chants or hymns. It is a recording for cello and piano, played superbly by Anja Lechner (cello) and Vassilis Tsabropoulous (piano). But what an album! What an experience! And, no matter what I have been listening to, this music completes arrests my attention. And takes me to another place. A place I long to visit.
Read the rest of this entry »

Beethoven Symphonies-Haitink, etc

The idea of a meaningful review of Beethoven symphonies always has seemed ludicrous. Such monumental works, played and recorded so often, and often so magnificently! Often with such impact! How silly it seems even to suggest a “best” recording or “ideal” performance. The “preferential” approach. But, sparked an amazing offer on i-Tunes, I have found myself more absorbed in Beethoven symphonies than any time in recent memory. And I feel compelled to write about my observations, incomplete as they may be.
Read the rest of this entry »

America’s Prophet, by Bruce Feller

Focusing in the central character of Moses, Feller reminds all Americans of our roots in the Bible, and its principles. This is important at a time when many seem determine to ignore or re-write history, to erase or minimize traces of Biblical faith. If nothing else, if Feller’s book achieves an important objective simply by underscoring this truth.

Read the rest of this entry »

Toby Lester-The Fourth Park of the World

Christopher Columbus still is honored for “discovering” America, even though it is widely known that he actually did not make this discovery. And comparatively little is known of the men who actually paved the way for his adventures. Or about the man for whom the New World was named, Amerigo Vespucci.
Read the rest of this entry »

James MacMillan

James MacMillan is among today’s most important composers. A devoted Catholic, he also has been outspoken is stressing the continuing importance of religious values, which have inspired much of his music.
Read the rest of this entry »

Gustav Mahler-Resurrection Symphony

I am writing on Christmas Day, when the world celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Yet my thoughts have turned to His death and resurrection. Specifically to the Resurrection Symphony of Gustav Mahler. Mahler did not write specifically about Jesus’ resurrection but this music makes that connection almost inevitable.
Read the rest of this entry »

Marcus Aurelius by Frank McLynn

Marcus Aurelius was one of history’s true philosopher-kings. A man who ruled over the Roman Empire yet also was an original thinker and a student of philosophy.
Read the rest of this entry »

Henry Mancini

The other day, I was watching the opening sequence of The Return of the Pink Panther, as the famous pink panther diamond is being stolen. As so often happens, my focus shifted to the music. And I was reminded of the uniqueness of this score (and this sound). How it could not have been composed by anyone but Henry Mancini. And why he was such an outstanding composer. Read the rest of this entry »

Buddy Rich

I wondered what the kids in Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom thought. It was 1968 (I think) and most of them probably had come to hear the Who. Or the second act on the bill, Joe Cocker. But I had come for the opening act. Buddy Rich and his band. Almost forty years later, the impact of that night still echoes in my mind.
Read the rest of this entry »

The Templars - Michael Haag

The subject of the Templar Knights is so mysterious and compelling that it spawns an almost endless stream of speculation. Excellent fodder for conspiracy theorists, novelists, and anyone with a vivid imagination, the story of the Templars is rooted in facts and history. However, so much is unknown. And their trail leads to almost endless speculation.
Read the rest of this entry »