Fr. Jolly's Daydream

The Artistic Temperament

G.K. Chesterton:

The artistic temperament is a disease that afflicts amateurs. It is a disease which arises from men not having sufficient power of expression to utter and get rid of the element of art in their being... Artists of a large and wholesome vitality get rid of their art easily, as they breathe easily, or perspire easily. But in artists of less force, the thing becomes a pressure, and produces a definite pain, which is called the artistic temperament. Thus, very great artists are able to be ordinary men... There are many real tragedies of the artistic temperament, tragedies of vanity or violence or fear. But the great tragedy of the artistic temperament is that it cannot produce any art....

It need hardly be said that this is the real explanation of the thing which has puzzled so many dilettante critics, the problem of the extreme ordinariness of the behaviour of so many great geniuses in history. Their behaviour was so ordinary that it was not recorded; hence it was so ordinary that it seemed mysterious. Hence people say that Bacon wrote Shakespeare. The modern artistic temperament cannot understand how a man who could write such lyrics as Shakespeare wrote, could be as keen as Shakespeare was on business transactions in a little town in Warwickshire. The explanation is simple enough; it is that Shakespeare had a real lyrical impulse, wrote a real lyric, and so got rid of the impulse and went about his business. Being an artist did not prevent him from being an ordinary man, any more than being a sleeper at night or being a diner at dinner prevented him from being an ordinary man.

from Daniel Mitsui's The Lion and the Cardinal http://www.danielmitsui.com/hieronymus/

I'm a St. Justin Martyr!

You’re St. Justin Martyr! You have a positive and hopeful attitude toward the world. You think that nature, history, and even the pagan philosophers were often guided by God in preparation for the Advent of the Christ. You find “seeds of the Word” in unexpected places. You’re patient and willing to explain the faith to unbelievers. Find out which Church Father you are at The Way of the Fathers!

"The Priests"

One of my brothers used to refuse to eat at any restaurant chain that seemed to have been thought up in a boardroom.

Although this group has that kind of marketing, marketing feel to it, they also sound terrific. Here's an amazing blend:



More at thepriests.com

The Standard Oratorios: Their Stories, Their Music, and Their Composers. A Handbook, by George P. Upton

Something new for the sidebar: a delightfully chatty late-19th century ebook about the major oratorios:

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/22793/22793-h/22793-h.htm

About the Messiah:

The "Messiah" represents the ripened product of Handel's genius, and reflects the noblest aspirations and most exalted devotion of mankind. Among all his oratorios it retains its original freshness, vigor, and beauty in the highest degree, in that it appeals to the loftiest sentiment and to universal religious devotion, and is based upon the most harmonious, symmetrical, and enduring forms of the art.

It was begun on the 22d day of August, 1741. The first part was concluded August 28, the second, September 6, the third, September 12, and the instrumentation, September 14. It is an illustration of Handel's almost superhuman capacity for work, that at the age of fifty-six he should have written his masterpiece in twenty-three days. The text was taken from the literal words of Scripture, and the libretto arranged by Charles Jennens, who, [141] singularly enough, was not satisfied with the music which has satisfied the world. In a letter written at that time, he says:--

"I shall show you a collection I gave Handel, called 'Messiah,' which I value highly. He has made a fine entertainment of it, though not near so good as he might and ought to have done. I have with great difficulty made him correct some of the grossest faults in the composition; but he retained his overture obstinately, in which there are some passages far unworthy of Handel, but much more unworthy of the 'Messiah.'"

For two or three years prior to the appearance of the "Messiah," Handel had been harassed by cabals set on foot by rival opera-managers in London, who, by importing Italian singers, drew off the patronage of the nobility, and ultimately succeeded in reducing him to the condition of an insolvent debtor. While in this wretched plight an invitation came to him from the Duke of Devonshire, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, to visit Dublin. He eagerly accepted it, and in the correspondence which passed between them promised to contribute a portion of whatever might accrue from his music to charitable institutions, and also agreed to give an oratorio "for the benefit and enlargement of poor distressed prisoners for debt in the several marshalseas of the city of Dublin." He left London early in November, arriving in that city, after many delays, on the 18th. On the 23d of December he began a series of six musical entertainments, which was completed February 10. His success was so great that he was induced to begin a second series February 17, a fortnight before the close of which appeared the following advertisement:--

"For the Relief of the Prisoners in the several Gaols, and for the Support of Mercer's Hospital, in Stephen's Street, and of the Charitable Infirmary on the Inn's Quay, on Monday, the 12th of April, will be performed at the Musick Hall in Fishamble-street, Mr. Handel's new Grand Oratorio, called the Messiah, in which the Gentlemen of the Choirs of both Cathedrals will assist, with some Concertos on the Organ by Mr. Handel."

Pandora

As usual, I found out about Pandora from the young people. It's a website, http://www.pandora.com/, that hosts "radio stations" mixed to one's own preferences.

Just to see what it's about, here's a station I made this morning, based on Benjamin Britten's choral work, with some Robert Shaw thrown in:

http://www.pandora.com/stations/f4bddb8b994b178052d55db6aeb5d939ee56ad17f84d5fe3#

But the idea is, you make your own personal stations, starting with an artist or song you like and would like to hear more often. Pandora notes your preferences and chooses similar music to play. You can refine it by giving particular songs a thumbs-up or -down. It doesn't allow you to play particular songs, like a jukebox or IPod, but after some tweaking it gives a specialized personal selection.

Unlike AccuRadio, which I have also appreciated, the commercials are few and brief. I think they make their money by allowing click-throughs to buying music.

Enjoy!

In Honor of the St. Patrick's Day that Isn't (this year)

This year's Lent, so unusually early, has moved our major March feasts around. Holy Week and Easter Week take precedence over all other observances and so they must make way. St. Joseph's Feast is celebrated today instead of March 19, and the Feast of the Annunciation is celebrated March 31 instead of March 25.

But much more significantly for your average American, the memorial of St. Patrick (which is much less significant liturgically) has for all practical purposes fallen right off the calendar this year.

Doesn't that make you want to sing O Danny Boy?

Making Music Live

I've been watching this old movie called Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The storyline, dialogue, lyrics and characters are ludicrous, but the dancing is awesome.

This was the first film made by the director, who for whatever reason (according to his commentary on the DVD) did not realize that movie directors are allowed to film multiple takes. So the intricately choreographed, athletic dance sequences were rehearsed and rehearsed, then shot in one take. The young brothers were played by four dancers, a gymnast, and a former baseball player, so they were used to performing under pressure; still, something entirely new and magical happened in this sequence, for example.

What remarkable energy!

One of the exciting yet daunting aspects of liturgical music is the pressure of "live" performance. Mistakes can happen. Techniques may be under-rehearsed. A choir could make a wrong entrance; a cantor can become tongue-tied. The whole thing could fall apart at any moment and instead of contributing to the liturgy, detract and distract.

Yet the "live" aspect of liturgical singing is also its most exciting quality. We're HERE, NOW, and we're SINGING. God is being praised NOW; our hearts are lifting up our voices NOW. Sometimes a choir will bring all its gifts together in a single marvelous moment. Sometimes a cantor's voice will be filled with understanding of the text being sung, and will have the authority to communicate meaning.

St. Augustine was converted by the human voice: the preaching of St. Ambrose, and the singing of the people of Milan. May we learn to speak and sing the word of God so that it may have its effect.

Hoppin' Mad

Dear Ms. Rowling,

I stood up for you! I said, it's fantasy. The important point is good vs. evil.

I rejoiced when, correctively to Book I's apparent creation ex nihilo of the Halloween Feast, the proper due was given to the created order by showing the house elves at work in the kitchen.

Sure, there was a kind of sorcery going on. But I chalked it up to a metaphor. Adolescence is a time of tremendous growth in power. Harry and his friends are learning to use their powers for good. And you, as an author, did what every good imaginative artist (including hymn writers) hopes to do: you made an entry into another world.

No more. You are served.

Dumbledore is now "gay." Not Neville, not the Quidditch lady, but Dumbledore the Godlike. What kind of political stupid posturing is this, have you lost your mind, and have you had any opportunity to bring your conscience to consider that there is more to life than grownups.

Book VII's epilogue said, basically, it's all for the kids.

Your talk at Carnegie Hall said, it's all about special interests and probably some crazy British initiative.

And to think I bought a few of those books. I want my money back, and on behalf of all the children whose morals you've just off-the-cuff RUINED, I want my innocence. So pay up.

The Art of Chant

Sounds, words and pictures from a current exhibition at the Getty Museum, via The New Liturgical Movement.

Women Hymn Writers on ABC

Looks like ABC is going to run a show on the contributions of women hymn writers.

Tomorrow morning. While we're all at church.

Edit: In Australia--so there's no time conflict after all!

Yet Another Reason to Wonder about "Gift of Finest Wheat"

Things in Philadelphia are just different.

U2 - When love comes to town

These are the days when music comes unbidden: the bright metallic ring of the cicadas, the soft roaring of the air conditioner.

When there is this much music in the air, memories come unbidden as well. Among them are musical memories, one of this rockin' joint by U2 and the incomparable BB King.

When love comes to town, I'm gonna jump that train
When love comes to town, I'm gonna catch that flame
Maybe I was wrong to ever let you down
But I did what I did before love came to town.
(ooo yeah yeah yeah yeah
ooo yeah yeah yeah yeah)

The Watchmaker, the Precentor, and the Problem of Tuning a Guitar

I've been enjoying the miniseries Longitude, the story of a man who worked for decades to solve the problems of longitudinal navigation at sea. It's a good story, well-told, and it talks about both creative insight and bureaucracy in an effective way.

I thought I'd google the hero of the story, John Harrison, and I was very interested to see that he worked not only in making maritime timepieces, but also in solving the problems of musical tuning. Now in a way this is not too far-fetched: both clock making and music are very mathematical. On the other hand, solving the problems of the ticking of a clock seem more like solving problems of rhythm, but Harrison's concern was in the perennial musical question of the musical intervals.

Apparently there have been recent manuscript discoveries that reveal in Harrison's writings a new way of tuning, which one man, Charles Lucy, has applied to guitars. Here is an introductory essay to what is called "Lucy Tuning" after its pioneering enthusiast and promotor.

The precis of Harrison's manuscript:

Wherein is shown the Absurdity of such imaginary stuff as was first crowded into the Scale of Musick by the Ancients, and has still been retained therein by our more modern Writers, in order to make the matter seem more Reasonable or Philosophical, whenas in reality it is even as hence, or would be as thence, bereaved of all such Ornament, and as, when at the same time, its Foundation or basis as in another Sense tho' secret, is most strictly true or perfect in itself; and therefore, as being otherwise therefrom not only to a much higher degree than what we should think. or have thought to have been Mathematically Beautiful, or even as otherwise so Perfection itself, consequently, it can have nothing to do with any such Arbitrary Conjectures:
And herein are also, very necessary Observations exhibited and as with Instructions about the highest, the most Important, or the most Undeniable life of the Subject.

"God Doesn't Want to Talk to You Right Now"

A deacon friend and I have a game we like to play sometimes called What Not to Say to a Scrupulous Person in Confession. For some reason we laugh hysterically at such bad pastoral counsel as:

• "God really hates it when you're scrupulous."
• "You know, every time you worry, an angel sheds a tear."
• "It's okay to say 25 novenas a day, but whatever you do, don't let your mind wander."
• "The greatest sin a person can commit is to doubt, even for a second, in the love of God."

Haha! Actually, that last example, tragically, is not so far off the mark of what some confessors might like to say, and really shouldn't.

Last week we invented a new game called How Not to Preach about Perseverance in Prayer:

• If you don't feel God when you pray, that's because God doesn't want to talk to you right now. So don't bother Him; He's busy.
• God would probably prefer to talk with somebody else instead of you.
• Whatever you do, don't try again until God absolutely clearly makes the first move. Even if it takes 20 years, don't bother Him.
• Distract yourself. Instead of spending time reading the Bible or praying in Church, go to the movies! Find a hobby! Whatever it takes to get through life without bothering God.
• Because God probably decided he doesn't like you. And there's nothing you can do about it.

I know, I know, we are warped...

The joke was occasioned by last Sunday's Gospel, in which a person (representing the Christian) wants something in the middle of the night and tries to wake his neighbor (representing God). The moral of the story is, wear out God's doorstep, even if you don't seem to be getting anywhere in your prayer. Knock; ask; seek.

This reminds me of a poem:

YOU, neighbor God, if sometimes in the night
I rouse you with loud knocking, I do so
only because I seldom hear you breathe;
I know: you are alone.
And should you need a drink, no one is there
to reach it to you, groping in the dark.
Always I hearken.
Give but a small sign.
I am quite near.
Between us there is but a narrow wall,
and by sheer chance; for it would take
merely a call from your lips or from mine
to break it down,
and that without a sound.

The wall is built of your images.

They stand before you hiding you like names,
and when the light within me blazes high
that in my inmost soul I know you by,
the radiance is squandered on their frames.

And then my senses, which too soon grow lame,
exiled from you, must go their homeless ways.--Rainer Maria Rilke

Latinised Hymns, or, Translating the Wrong Way Round

Paul Richardson informs me that one Mark Mortimer has translated more than 300 English hymns into Latin. Here's the first verse of For All the Saints:

Ob sanctos, qui nacturi requiem

te per suam confessi sunt fidem,

te salutamus, Jesu, celebrem.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

And Hark, the Herald Angels Sing:

Laudes cantant angeli

Regis nuper geniti.

Pacem terrae dat Deus

veniamque sontibus.

Gentes quot sunt inferae,

cum supernis psallite

nati nunc Davidica

urbe iuncta encomia!

Laudes cantant angeli

Regis nuper geniti.

What an outstandingly time-consuming hobby. And here I thought I was whacko.

The book is available here for the bargain price of 11 pounds, and also on Amazon.uk

The Catholic Parish Website Midi Challenge

James Preece sorts through the perennial theological and artistic questions faced by a parish discerning the music to play on its homepage.

Via The Curt Jester.

IMMORAL, IMPOSSIBLE, GOD ONLY KNOWS

(Tune: St. Denio)

1. Immoral, impossible, God only knows
how tenors and basses, sopranos, altos
at service on Sunday are rarely the same
as those who on Thursday to choir practice came...(More from Scelata)

By Austin Lovelace.

Religious American Idol (in India)

Religious songs performed in Bollywood movies will be allowed. "There are so many Hindi-movie devotional songs that are well-known. Contestants can choose what they want in some rounds," said Mehta.

More here.

Good idea, and worth picking up in the States. All the best American Idol contestants--didn't they learn to sing in church?

A couple of years ago I heard a very-learned-lecture comparing a Hindu song to one of the goddesses and a Catholic hymn in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The lecturer extolled their similarities. I pointed out, in the Q & A, a major difference: the hymn to the Blessed Mother (the Catholic hymn) is self-interested. (The Christian religion is extremely self-interested: "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?" "When he finds a pearl of really great price...") The Hindu song was only praise; it did not request that the singer should be changed. The Catholic song asked Mary's intercession for Christ's gifts of grace.

The distinction reminds me of the questions repeatedly raised by Fr. Augustine DiNoia in his book The Diversity of Religions: A Christian Perspective. He asks, "Does this religion aim at salvation? What does it mean by "salvation?"

On the Lighter Side

Feeling stressed about the coming Holy Week liturgies? Worried about baptismal robes? Anticipating complaints from the Altar Society about wax dripped everywhere? Relax and enjoy these Master Singers renditions of:

The Anglican Chant Weather Forecast (via The New Liturgical Movement)

andThe Highway Code, Part I (from commentator Ben Whitworth)