Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Music


If you like Lana del Rey's music or Adele's, one band to try is First Aid Kit. They had a well known song in 2012, called 'Emmylou' if you recall, and famously covered Fleet Foxes' song 'Tiger Mountain Peasant Song'. They also covered the Rolling Stones' song 'Playing with fire' live very well.

Be sure to try their new song "My silver lining" on their new album Stay Gold, which is a great song--equally fun to listen to in a car or at home. Also try their 'Our own pretty ways', which is excellent.

If you enjoy Lana del Rey's more pop-like music, First Aid Kit is a great band to try. They have very similar tones and moods, yet hustle along faster than Lana's slower pace. It's great summer music.


Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Boris



Royal Pains is a great, fun show about a doctor in the rarefied world of the summer Hamptons. It's very cute, and has a great mysterious character Boris, played by Campbell Scott. He's incredible, and a great foil for Hank, the main doctor. It's on USA on Tuesdays at 9pm. Be sure to watch the pilot--it's still one of the best episodes--the surprise in the case is truly surprising. As is the later shark and the woman who is swimming with them!

Tv Rewatch



One show worth re-watching, especially for the autumn scenes in grey, sweater dotted Paris near the Seine river, is Highlander. Every episode with Hugh Fitzcairn [famous singer Roger Daltrey from The Who], or Methos, or Amanda too is gold. The show has some over the top moments, but it's easy to forgive them their few mistakes. The scenery itself is quite interesting--you don't often see Paris in grey, cold autumn unless you're reading David Lebovitz's blog about living there, even through the cold seasons.

The flashbacks to other time periods make this show a real alternative for people who enjoy shows that deal with the temporal immortal reality of, say, vampires, ie. history flashback moments. Sometimes Methos is not done subtly, but even then you can imagine 'what is he really thinking?'--this is someone who could have been taught by Sun Tzu. What is the real import of his actions?

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Ancient



"Circe Offering the Cup to Odysseus" by John William Waterhouse [1849-1917] is a great example of the classic power of ancient myth and legend. The paradigms, archetypes and lessons you must puzzle from them are as interesting as speculating what really happened, and why a legend grew out of something. Part of studying pagan religions and cults is looking at history, ancient culture and other ways of thinking. It is a new lens through which to see the beauty of nature, the sea and the simple, topmost pleasures of life.

Circe [Greek: Κίρκη] was an interesting ancient Greek sorceress, also called a goddess or nymph. She used liquid magic potions and her staff [like a long straight wand] to turn her enemies, and Ulysses and his men into animals. All this is recorded in the famous ancient Greek epic of Homer, the Odyssey [Greek: Ὀδύσσεια]. Read Butler's famous translation here. Here's a neat excerpt:

"'We went,' said he, 'as you told us, through the forest, and in the middle of it there was a fine house built with cut stones in a place that could be seen from far. There we found a woman, or else she was a goddess, working at her loom and singing sweetly; so the men shouted to her and called her, whereon she at once came down, opened the door, and invited us in. The others did not suspect any mischief so they followed her into the house, but I staid where I was, for I thought there might be some treachery. From that moment I saw them no more, for not one of them ever came out, though I sat a long time watching for them.'
"Then I took my sword of bronze and slung it over my shoulders; I also took my bow, and told Eurylochus to come back with me and shew me the way. But he laid hold of me with both his hands and spoke piteously, saying, 'Sir, do not force me to go with you, but let me stay here, for I know you will not bring one of them back with you, nor even return alive yourself; let us rather see if we cannot escape at any rate with the few that are left us, for we may still save our lives.'
"'Stay where you are, then,' answered I, 'eating and drinking at the ship, but I must go, for I am most urgently bound to do so.'
"With this I left the ship and went up inland. When I got through the charmed grove, and was near the great house of the enchantress Circe, I met Mercury with his golden wand, disguised as a young man in the hey-day of his youth and beauty with the down just coming upon his face. He came up to me and took my hand within his own, saying, 'My poor unhappy man, whither are you going over this mountain top, alone and without knowing the way? Your men are shut up in Circe's pigstyes, like so many wild boars in their lairs. You surely do not fancy that you can set them free? I can tell you that you will never get back and will have to stay there with the rest of them. But never mind, I will protect you and get you out of your difficulty. Take this herb, which is one of great virtue, and keep it about you when you go to Circe's house, it will be a talisman to you against every kind of mischief.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Celtic


Maud Gonne [1866-1953] was the smart and famous Irish political figure, nationalist, activist, promoter of women's rights, revolutionary, actress, intellectual, beauty and muse of the very famous, Nobel in literature prize winner Irish poet W.B. Yeats [1865-1939]. Many parts of his work are about her or were written for her; you can read much of it here. In Irish Gaelic [Gaeilge] her name stands as Maud Nic Ghoinn Bean Mac Giolla Bhríghde. In that time period, many people began to promote a return to Irish Gaelic [there are over 6 types of Gaelic spread out all over the celtic areas of Europe].

She founded a society for women in 1900 so that they too could work for Ireland and all Irish interests and national customs and pride called Inghinidhe na hÉireann ("Daughters of Ireland"). Her work, and Yeats' poetry as well are great ways to begin learning about history, cultures and literature. The photo of her above is particularly exceptional. It draws you in of its own accord.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

North



These movies with Thor and Loki are a great resource to start learning about the nine realms and Norse mythology. For example, the beautiful gold amulet-shaped art pieces from the Iron Age called gullgubber ['little old man of gold'] are gorgeous and something very interesting. The above is a photo of Fanefjord church in Denmark [ie. the burial place of Queen Fane], on the island of Møn, with exceptional biblical ceiling art from the 1300s-1500s. They were hidden under plaster in the past.

Sunday, June 8, 2014

The eye


All over the world, cruel intent is feared--in many areas this is called the 'evil eye', or mati in Greek for example. People wear hamsa and eye charms, sometimes with the eye on the hand symbol, and often wear crosses as well, or other appropriate religious protective symbols. The Roman mosaic from Antiochia [Greek Ἀντιόχεια] in Turkey [often called 'the Near East'] above depicts the eye being taken down and defeated by a scorpion, cat, snake, centipede insect, dog as it is stabbed by a sword and a big trident on top. The Greek letters mean 'Kai Su', 'and you [too/as well]'.

Antioch was also the city where Christianity had a large, fast spreading base in the ancient world. Note on the mosaic the Greek-style wave pattern. Roman art often incorporated Greek styles.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Sacred



While we have been to holy places of all faiths and persuasions, all over the world, the individual stories of historical people always stand out. Along with beautiful art, architecture, music and writing, thinking about the sacred often brings to mind the courage people had in the ancient and past world.

One of these people is St Joan of Arc [1412-1431] from Domrémy in north-eastern France, painted with the saints appearing and speaking to her by the French symbolist painter Gaston Bussière [1862-1928], above. Many films have been made about Joan, like the famous silent one, the 1928 The Passion of Joan of Arc and the 1994 French film Jeanne la Pucelleclick to watch, [title meaning 'Jeanne the Maiden'] by French director Jacques Rivette and French actress Sandrine Bonnaire [b. 1967].

Anyway, St. Saturnina's feast day is June 4th. Whether or not she is legend or fact [probably living pre-1100], there must have been some person out there who suffered as she did. In that vein, I think there is something to honor and think about.

Slow


This manuscript of medieval music is in Italy, probably Florence or in Tuscany--our friend photographer has forgotten which town he snapped it in. While our Western music has evolved past the advancements Pope Gregory the Great [540-604] helped along, ancient music has great appeal if you approach it in the right way.

Put on 'Missa Pange lingua' by the famous Josquin des Prez [1450-1521] from the Netherlands, or his 'Berzerette savoyenne' from the Missa by Chanticleer and lie down and relax, or even clean/organize. During the summer especially, medieval and Renaissance music from the West gives a feeling of cool echoing, of stone walls and dim corridors, of sweet hints of incense and relief from the heat.

The hour long piece 'Gregorian Chants with the sounds of nature' is also a great combination if you enjoy that type of thing.

Fun



There is a sense in which life in earlier eras was simpler than our time. The diversions were different and few, though the culture was more alcohol and smoke infused. It is sometimes helpful to recall those distant days and think about how we too can enjoy the simple pleasure of life. Something as simple as a cool glass of water in the heat, or a green melon, or a slice of watermelon can be transporting and refreshing. There are no higher pleasures than the natural ones.

The sweet daub of perfume, the dark green of plants inside the house, the flicker of a candle at dusk--these things are more than they seem. It is important to enjoy them all. Those moments of silence and echoing beauty give the soul a kind of stalwart strength, a deep well of calm.

The painting above is one that illustrates this, portraying its title 'Reading Aloud' and Victorian life--it's by the American Julius LeBlanc Stewart [1855-1919], who lived mostly in Paris.

Fast

Many people need to listen to fast music while they run or exercise, it's like a charm infusing into the blood. It makes your heart race and you go faster without thought. Two recommendations to try on this front are:
'Munni Badnaam Hui' from India's 2010 film Dabangg
&
'Bad Girls' by Sri Lankan-British artist M.I.A. [b. 1975], which has a great music video

India



One great place we read on India is the Rang Decor blog--it has photos from India and decorating/interior design concepts as well. It has beautiful photos and is fun to read. That's the famous Indian actress Nutan [1936-1991] above.

Exclusive



While we begrudge no one their luxuries, it is always important to understand why things are considered valuable. Ermine for example is dotted with those dark little lines that are so lovely to the eye. In reality, ermine animals' tails were pinned onto cloaks and capes to show how many were used in creating the specific piece of raiment.

It is difficult to step outside of your Western heritage [if it is yours], but if you try, sometimes the idea of  animal tails being tacked onto the capes of royalty for centuries seems quite uncouth. This type of historical origin story is important--we cannot forget the past. Why wedding dresses are white, why Romans wore iron rings, why the hand symbol [hamsa/hand of Fatima or Miriam] and blue eye [nazar/evil protection] symbol are widespread all over the world, especially the Mediterranean and Middle East: all these things are crucial to understanding our present. Sometimes the eye is even put on the palm of the hand symbol.

We can only know a culture if we know its past and where its customs come from.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Holmes



Be sure to try the classic youth tv series The Adventures of Shirley Holmes [1997-2000]. If you love Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock adaptations and new ideas, you may really enjoy this series about a young girl in Britain who realizes just who she is tangentially descended from. She discovers an old chest, figures out the riddle of opening it and the story beings--she even gets her own best friend and Watson. And this version of Moriarty as a young girl is chill-inducing. In the above picture, this dark haired Holmes is at right.

Music

One great, exciting piece to try if you want to get into classical music--specifically the Romantic type, is Beethoven's famous Sonata No. 8 in C minor [Opus 13], called 'Sonata Pathétique', in its 1st movement, played on the piano by Brendel here.

It came out in 1799 but feels very emotional, very sweeping. You can see how Beethoven has already moved onto this new 'Romantic' music from the earlier 'Classical period' stage in the West. The timeline in Europe goes about:
Ancient and then Early Music c. pre-500 by region
Medieval Europe c. 500-1400 -- ie. Léonin, W. de Wycombe, Pérotin
Renaissance c. 1400-1600 -- ie. Palestrina, Josquin des Prez, Byrd
>>>These following below are often all called 'Classical' in common talk:
Baroque c. 1600-1720 -- ie. JS Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Telemann, Monteverdi
Classical c. 1730-1820 -- ie. Haydn, Mozart, CPE Bach, Gluck, Boccherini
Romantic c. 1815-1930 -- ie. Beethoven, Schubert, Liszt, Chopin, Wagner

Romantic music was often extremely emotional, nationalistic, engaging and aware of its self-importance [ie. Wagner wanting people to sit and listen silently to his work instead of eating, talking and playing cards with the music as a light diversion and soundtrack in the background]

Start listening at the 1:45 mark and listen as the sweet, delicate structure morphs into something incredibly exciting. This mark was also used in the evening concert scene in the palace during the Beethoven film Immortal Beloved with Gary Oldman playing the composer himself. Isabella Rosselini is also great in the film, and interestingly, she actually had a romance with him in real life.

Seconds


There is something in the national character of America, open to all who join it, that yearns for the ephemeral--that beauty and finality that is often found in Europe and especially France. That concept of no happy ending but a final, intense, majestic one. Stephen Dillane, shown above, conveyed that type of nuance in HBO's John Adams as Thomas Jefferson. The long series is very interesting and moving, especially the slow tension of the Continental Congress scenes.

Click here to read the real letters of Jefferson. The show's score has some great moments as well, try the extended tense and moving 'opening theme' and the exciting 'The Militia Passes By' and the fun, playful 'Street Shanty/Finding Palmes'.

He does equally excellent work in the tv show of G.R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones as Stannis, despite not being more showcased by the script. He's simply too good for anything he does. I commend him.

Summer films


One great film to try is the classic Out of Africa. It explores adventure, the difficulty of differing personalities, and how people find fulfillment in unlike things. It's both cold and logical while being intensely romantic. The film is a great look at the question of what makes life worth living. It is grasping for adventure, or simply having all the experiences possible, or being in love? Is love itself enough, or must we conform to society and settle down?

If nothing else, it is a beautiful film, and the African landscape is incredible and so full of ancient harmony you almost want to get on a plane and see the plains and mountains.

If you like travel writing or memoirs, Kenya or Africa, be sure to read the 1937 book it's based on by Isak Dinesen. Many people loved the famous Hon. Denys Finch-Hatton, a real man who was a true adventurer and non-conformist, but was also kind and widely loved.

Be sure to read the famous 1942 memoir West with the Night by Beryl Markham--she was the female equivalent of Denys Finch-Hatton. Hemingway raved about her book. She grew up in Kenya, became a pilot and kept horses and trained them for races. She had a wild lust for adventure. She even had an affair with Finch-Hatton.

Monday, June 2, 2014

Dark


Summer makes many long for dark, cool interiors and huge green plants. This painting Studio Interior by the famous American painter William Merritt Chase [1849-1916] is a great example of Orientalist art and Victorian decorating sensibilities. It bridges the gap between Impressionism and Neoclassist, half-Orientalist styles. It has a very interesting dynamic. Note the clothing, what odd raiment against the room.

Light diversions

One way to get into classical music or to try new famous pianists is by reading up on who has won awards--Maurizio Pollini is an incredible player, and he recorded the famous J.S. Bach's 1722 The Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1, listen to it here.

Pollini has won many awards as a pianist, including the famous International Ettore Pozzoli Piano Competition from his native Italy. Check out who's won here to open your horizons and try new performers.

Even if you don't think Bach is one of your top favorite composers, Pollini gives his work a lightness of spirit that is really refreshing. It's perfect summer listening, and is soothing in the sometimes annoying heat.

Other music to try is Dvorak's famous and moving emotive piece 'Romance Op.11 in F minor' [F moll. en fa mineur] from the popular Fire & Ice recording--it also has an incredible remix of Sarasate on the opera Carmen's melodic themes, featuring the famous violinist Sarah Chang and directed by the famous opera singer Placido Domingo with the Berliner Philharmoniker.