Month: June 2019
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Settled Truth
Last Sunday the topic of suicide came up — something my family has experienced first hand. In some variants of Christianity suicide is an ‘unforgivable sin’ — one that even God can’t forgive. (Really?) Never mind considerations of mental illness or duress so severe the person wasn’t capable of a reasoned choice. But beyond that…
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W.F.Bach
Prelude in C (early version) for W.F.Bach J.S.Bach (1685-1750) Sarabande W. F. Bach (1710-1784) "For the Beauty of the Earth" Improvisation Of J.S. Bach’s 20 children, six survived to adulthood and four became noteworthy composers in their own right. Wilhelm Friedmann Bach was J.S.’s eldest son. His musical instruction was primarily from his father —…
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Veni Creator Spiritus
A Pentecost Prelude (based on ‘Veni Creator Spiritus’) C. Callahan Susan Addington — Flute [Offertory by Bells] Improvisation ‘Veni Creator Spritus’ (‘Come, Creator Spirit’) is a hymn text believed to have been written by Rabanus Maurus in the 9th century. When the original Latin text is used, it is normally sung in Gregorian Chant.…
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Who wrote it?
Impromptu in Gb, Op. 90 No. 3 Franz Schubert (1797-1828) "Fairest Lord Jesus" Improvisation One morning, Schubert brought singer Michael Vogl several songs for his perusal. Busy at the moment, Vogl set them aside and examined them later when he had opportunity. He liked one especially, but it was too high for him, so he…