Somehow, with all the shame surrounding the lamestream media's handling of Benghazi (notice how the truth will shine like a beacon through the fog -- every time?), and the mixed news from all the church litigation that is ongoing, I cannot find it in me to write anything just now about either law or politics. There is little there to celebrate, and much to lament.
In such moments, I find it lifts up one's spirit to take refuge in music. One of my favorite pieces for the cello is a piece written over 130 years ago by the great Franco-German cellist and composer, Jacques Offenbach, called "Les Larmes de Jacqueline," or "The Tears of Jacqueline." Here is a superb version of it, arranged for cello and ensemble and played by Werner Thomas-Mifune (unfortunately no longer in distribution, but misattributed here to Jacqueline du Pré, no doubt due to the name of the piece):
A few years back, I imagined and wrote a short story about how such beautiful music may have come to be written (apart, that is, from the fact that one of Offenbach's daughters was named "Jacqueline" -- that seemed to be too easy). If, after hearing the piece, you would like to read it, the link is here.
Soulful, mournful, and hopeful, like the cello can be at its best.
ReplyDeleteI have not checked the link yet so here is my guess, he was a lawyer and had just suffered a setback.
ReplyDeleteAnglican Curmudgeon: A Musical Break in Dispiriting Times
Numerous relevant not-too-depressing Cello solos. Excellent for the ears and soul.
http://innertime.blogspot.com/2010/01/les-larmes-de-jacqueline.html
please notice and respect the copyright of Mr. Haley, the Anglican Curmudgeon, whose short story surrounds several excellent
selections that actually will bring The Calm.
It will be necessary for the OROGs to scroll down through the story to arrive at the videos of the Cello pieces
MORE THAN WORTH THE EFFORT,
BOTH THE MUSIC AND THE SHORT STORY!
El Gringo Viejo
A bit of an interlude. Our nation is fraying. Even El Gringo Viejo seeks refuge in the nearly childish notion of sealing off the Republic of Texas from the degeneracy and totalitarianism offered to people who will trade their liberty for security, and who therefore deserve neither. A place to hide for El Gringo Viejo and The Boss is in worthwhile labour, baseball, in music, in gardening, in sewing and baking goodies for the granddaughters and the few friends that are left, and finally fixing the treadle sewing machine, in cleaning the old rifle and replacing that weak spring, thinking about friends, dealing with the guilt of not having been one of the dead ones coming back from the wars...or at least wounded.
Let us await the Will of the Great Cosmic Force whose daughter has spoken to children from Lourdes to Fatima and to an Indian in Tepeyac. Almighty Father, grant me the power to change the things that must be changed and to accept such things that must remain, and further grant me the Wisdom to know the difference. Amen.
A bit of an interlude. Our nation is fraying. Even El Gringo Viejo seeks refuge in the nearly childish notion of sealing off the Republic of Texas from the degeneracy and totalitarianism offered to people who will trade their liberty for security, and who therefore deserve neither. A place to hide for El Gringo Viejo and The Boss is in worthwhile labour, baseball, in music, in gardening, in sewing and baking goodies for the granddaughters and the few friends that are left, and finally fixing the treadle sewing machine, in cleaning the old rifle and replacing that weak spring, thinking about friends, dealing with the guilt of not having been one of the dead ones coming back from the wars...or at least wounded.
Let us await the Will of the Great Cosmic Force whose daughter has spoken to children from Lourdes to Fatima and to an Indian in Tepeyac. Almighty Father, grant me the power to change the things that must be changed and to accept such things that must remain, and further grant me the Wisdom to know the difference. Amen.
And Pewster, well said. But our Vicar thrives in the morass created by fools. To him a setback is fuel for the fight!
El Gringo Viejo