Crucifixion in ancient times.

In honor and recognition of Holy Week, here are extracts from two very well known sacred works: "Thou Shalt Dash Them" from George Frideric Handel's "Messiah;" and "Erbarme Dich" from Johann Sebastian Bach's "St. Matthew's Passion."

The first of these is performed by Concierto de la Orquesta de Extremadura with tenor Gustavo Peņa; though in passing I would mention that my all time most loved recording of "Messiah" is Otto Klemperer and the Philharmonia Orchestra of London -- apparently now out of print. (Here's a sample track from: "Why Do the Nations so Furiously Rage Together" with Nicolai Gedda [.wma, 3 MBs, right click "Save As"].)

"Erbarme Dich," the second, is sung here by Julia Hamari, accompanied by the Munich Bach Orchestra with Karl Richter. There is another first rate and moving rendering of this piece on YouTube (in English, by the way, which is rather unusual) that has Eula Beal, Yehudi Menuhin, violin, and Anatol Dorati conducting from the 1947 film "Concert Magic." I opted for the Harmari/Richter version simply because the audio is better; however, if curious or possibly interested in the alternative choice, see here.

"Twice yes, carle, I'll come to Spain."

When I was being intensely assaulted and visited by spirit people (which at that time included the "nymphs," sprites, and little folk, as well as the magician) back in 2000, one of the ways I tried to deal with it was by reading them fairy tales. One story they especially reacted to and seemed to be fond of was "Molly Whuppie" contained in Joseph Jacobs. Well, the other day, I happened or remember this, and my curiosity was aroused as to what it was in "Molly Whuppie" that made it so enjoyable to them. Possibly there was or is a connection between that tale and something that happened in real life; but if so I am not in a position to know what that was. Aside from this (and a possible tie-in with their cannibalistic attitudes about sex), one could infer what they applauded and appealed to them about "Molly Whuppie" is that the girl heroine (1) starts out life with a bad break (which they identify with); (2) thinks nothing of betraying the giant's wife who aided and warned her; and (3) is praised for her cool cunning without any censure or questioning of her treachery and brutality. In sum, she is someone they found amusing and to be admired; and this, as you may surmise, is a reflection of the sort of psychology and personality underlying witchcraft culture and what inspires it.

It bears repeating -- It is not that these spirit people are so amazingly clever or so almighty powerful (that these things go on); rather, the problem is one of these regular (i.e. flesh and blood) people being flagrantly indulged and permitted to be so childish, irrational and stupid. It is absurd, for example, how computer and software innovation, so flourishing 15 years ago, has so largely vanished -- despite Microsoft and others' incredible profits in these fields; while at the same time, "Hollywood" still has billions to spend on rubbish fantasy movies nobody really cares about. Yet not a murmur or word of protest. And, needless to say, there are innumerable similar instances of like nonsense that can be pointed to which cry out that something very seriously and tragically wrong is and has been taking place; while, as it stands, we are supposed to be so greatly concerned and preoccupied with and about (supposed) health care and what goes on in Afghanistan. (Yeah right.)

If everything that exists is good by reason of its existing, how then can someone or something be bad or evil? By being where and or when he or it is not supposed to be.

Power, howsoever great and overwhelming, must ever stand in awe, be wary of, and be prepared to pay extra for an opponent who not only will not ,but who will not quit even in the face of otherwise inevitable defeat.

It is, of course, one of my relished pastimes to dig and sift for scarce and unusual gems, whether in literature, music, art, or films, which it appears time has neglected, lost, or forgotten. But I can't nor am I in a position to search as I might otherwise like to; so it is gratifying to learn of others who are on the trail of who and whatever it is that has been overlooked. Such happens to be the case with the music of Stephen Foster, and who has not a few compositions which the vast majority of people, even among the roundly educated, have never even heard of. The following are recordings made possible by the efforts of such historical miners or explorers, namely John Boda and Tom Roush (who are found in the first and third of these videos respectively -- though I don't know who the pianist is in the second, "Village Bells Polka.")

Note. Though I prefer Thomas Hampson's "Comrades, Fill No Glass for Me" (found on his "American Dreamer: Songs of Stephen Foster"; with the single track available here), that particular song of his is not posted on YouTube. Also, on the John Boda version I shrunk the YouTube screen because he uses the occasion to present a photographic survey of the conspirators, both actual and alleged, in the Lincoln assassination; which photos only distract from my purpose here. (Last, did you know that Foster was born on that same famous Fourth of July in 1826 on which both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died? I didn't -- that is, until preparing this posting.)

Truth? Well, for late-in-the-day March 26, 2010, what follows will have to serve as my own humble fling at it.

* If on a given day, philosophy won't do it, then go with poetry, piety, humor, drama, music, and or silence in its place. But if poetry won't do it, then clothe your spirit with philosophy, piety, humor, drama, music, and or silence instead. Etc.
But you can see that even if on a particular day one of these enhancers of mind, heart and or spirit is somehow less than helpful at that time, or even useless, you can still certainly find solace and support in one or more of the others.

* And what is so typical? They see, attack and vilify the person in the uniform, dress, or the office or the institution. Yet it is not the uniform, dress, office, or institution itself that's most at fault, but more frequently they who actually put or install that person in the uniform, dress, office, or institution; for uniform, dress, etc. are of themselves invariably neutral, and only so bad as the morals of the people garbed in or occupying them, and such persons can only be so garbed or installed when someone else, usually unseen or unnoticed, is in a position to dress or put them there.

* Here's a time-saving tip for you -- rather than sit through, read or listen to all that the mega-conglomerate "mainstream" media puts out (assuming that were possible to begin with) simply watch an old episode of "My Favorite Martian," "Bewitched," or "I Dream of Jeannie" instead (just imagine -- a Martian, a witch, and genie who could both shut you up and or have people not believe you whenever he or she wanted to do so) -- and you'll get roughly the same, only more accurate, idea of what really goes on.

(Now, if possible, would someone please post "Halt" by the Seeds up on YouTube?)

While for your sins...Arthur Brown. (Respectfully dedicated to Lou Chirillo.)

And, as seems only fitting at the moment, here's Suzanne Vega herself; from her "Songs of Red and Gray" that for number of good songs is a most excellent album. (I small-screened it though since the video quality itself is not the best.)

Later Note. My mistake. That particular song is not on "Songs of Red and Gray;" however, my comment otherwise regarding that album still holds good; and if I did or do post more S.V. songs, (most of) my own first picks would definitely be chosen from it.

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