All Things Bright and Beautiful

John James Audubon - Pileated Woodpeckers, Franz Joseph Haydn - The Creation , and Mrs. Cecil Frances Alexander - There is a Green Hill

2012-02-23T07:59:00.000-08:00

John James Audubon's painting of the Pileated Woodpeckers is typical of his work as it shows the birds in different poses and with clues to their diet and habitat as well as their personalities. It is also composed in a pleasing arrangement for an artistic painting.

I'd like to introduce a new composer today. Franz Joseph Haydn was an Austrian composer during the Classical Period. He is often called the "Father of the Symphony". One of my favorites works by Haydn is his oratorio "The Creation". It is long but in my opinion worth listening to the whole thing. We have taken a week or two and listened to some each day. Much of this is taken directly from scripture and some comes from John Milton's "Paradise Lost". The music itself beautifully parallels the words and describes the creation with sound. From the very beginning sounds, starting with chaos until God says "Let there be light," you can almost hear the light burst forth. When we listened I photocopied an enlarged copy of the words from the booklet in the CD for my children so they could follow along. I tried unsuccessfully to find the words online. The Following link is an overview of this oratorio. It includes detailed descriptions of this oratorio http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Creation_(Haydn). If you don't plan to listen to the whole thing I would recommend Part 3 as a sample. It is from Day 3 of Creation or you might enjoy Part 7 which has lots of animals. This video intersperses the musicians with beautiful and fitting photography. You can listen to the whole oratorio in about 10 minutes a day for twelve days. I will be featuring this oratorio for two weeks to give time to listen to the whole thing.

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8omYmytYvlo&feature=related
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S03cwGuw43s&feature=related
Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=JYvdjGzlNYc
Part 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=ucr4VikNxQw
Part 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=WFs18ayIg5Y
Part 6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=-ul_KX2AV1U
Part 7 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fQ0_HnJYuc
Part 8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=JZFeA-INyV4 (Part 8 does include lots of nude artwork depicting Adam and Eve from about 00:32-04:15. You may want to minimize the screen and just listen. Also footage of a Lion attacking a Wildebeast which might be too graphic for young or sensitive children - you could minimize when the lions start stalking at about 07:45 and continue to listen until this part is past- about 08:12).
Part 9 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRlL_0rTgsM&feature=related
Part 10 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKIYumIqvBQ&feature=related (01:55-02:12 includes an piece of artwork of a person without clothes)
Part 11 http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=5lhp86YCQUQ (Part 11 from minute 06:52-08:05 focuses on a drawing of Adam and Eve without clothes - you could minimize for that minute....)
Part 12 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJXb2H4J268&feature=related

The following are short biographical sketches of Franz Joseph Haydn's life:
http://library.thinkquest.org/22673/haydn.html
The following is a link to an article that discusses the difficulties that came because this work which was originally done in German has been translated into English by someone who didn't know English very well. http://www.neiljenkins.info/documents/thecreation.pdf

Mrs. Cecil Frances Alexander's hymn "There is a Green Hill" follows:

There Is A Green Hill

THERE is a green hill far away,
Without a city wall,
Where the dear Lord was crucified,
Who died to save us all.

We may not know, we cannot tell
What pains he had to bear,
But we believe it was for us
He hung and suffer’d there.

He died that we might be forgiven,
He died to make us good,
That we might go at last to heaven,
Sav’d by his precious blood.

There was no other good enough
To pay the price of sin;
He only could unlock the gate
Of heaven, and let us in.

O dearly, dearly has he lov’d,
And we must love him too,
And trust in his redeeming blood,
And try his works to do.

A choir singing this hymn can be found on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0ybUpuLn8M

John James Audubon - Swan, Sergei Prokofiev - Piano Concerto No. 2, Mrs. Cecil Frances Alexander - Jesus Calls Us O'er the Tumult

2012-02-16T22:46:00.000-08:00

John James Audubon's swan below may be a good painting to have your children try their hand at copying. Drawing, like learning to read, write or ride a bike, takes much practice. Our first attempts at new skills are usually not impressive. It is through repeated attempts that we become proficient and skillful. Some people say they cannot draw but I think it would be more accurate to say that they haven't yet learned to draw. Artists are people who have learned to really see what we all look at and to accurately record this seeing on paper. Praise your children's first attempts and give them plenty of opportunities for practice. As your children advance in their skills they may be ready for gentle advice. Sometimes it helps to encourage beginners to study the details carefully, "see the neck is quite long, and curves all the way around like a tight 's'". When you draw a thing you have to look carefully at the original. Learning to see and remember the details is what picture study is all about.

Other than Peter and the wolf, music by Sergei Prokofiev is new to me but I thought we should check out one more of his works before we move on to a new composer so here is a piano concerto. It is long - a half hour and not exactly relaxing music, so you may want to just listen to part or break it up. Somtimes we will listen to music like this while we draw or do handwork. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCeo1vyewEg

Another beautiful hymn by Mrs. Cecil Frances Alexander

Jesus Calls Us

Jesus calls us; o'er the tumult
of our life's wild, restless sea,
day by day his clear voice soundeth,
saying, 'Christian, follow me;'

as, of old, Saint Andrew heard it
by the Galilean lake,
turned from home and toil and kindred,
leaving all for his dear sake.

Jesus calls us from the worship
of the vain world's golden store;
from each idol that would keep us,
saying, 'Christian, love me more.'

In our joys and in our sorrows,
days of toil and hours of ease,
still he calls, in cares and pleasures,
'Christian, love me more than these.'

Jesus calls us! By thy mercies,
Savior, may we hear thy call,
give our hearts to thine obedience,
serve and love thee best of all.

A link to a nice organ rendition of the tune I'm familiar with singing this hymn to follows: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A40O_0ui-qM

John James Audubon - Snowy Egret, Sergei Prokofiev -From Romeo and Juliet, Mrs. Cecil Frances Alexander - All Things Bright and Beautiful

2012-02-09T08:21:00.000-08:00

I'd like to introduce a new artist this week. John James Audubon was an American Wildlife painter. He was fascinated with America's wildlife and set out to discover and paint all the birds of North America. His book The Birds of North America is considered one of the finest ornithological works ever completed and is still popular today. You will likely be able to find it at your local library or at least get your librarian to order it for you. We live in a small town and our library has it as does another library in a small town near where we lived before. We will only be able to cover a sampling of Audubon's wonderful paintings so I recommend trying to get a copy. My children have enjoyed browsing through the paintings - learning about birds as they go. Some years ago when we studied Audubon for the first time I asked each of my children to choose two of their favorite paintings from The Birds of North America. I then had colored prints (photocopies) made and we all enjoyed studying the prints as well as trying our hand at copying our favorites. I was surprised that even some of the younger children did quite well at copying these. Audubon also painted mammals and there are books that include these as well. You may enjoy reading a biography of Audubon's life while you study his works. One children's book we've read about his life is The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon by Jacqueline Davies. There are probably many different biographies of Audubon and you can see what is available at your local library. The following are biographical sketches of his life online:

http://www.jjaudubongallery.com/AudubonBio.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_James_Audubon
http://www.biography.com/people/john-james-audubon-9192248

Today's painting is of a Snowy Heron or White Egret. There are many details to take note of including the background.

Snowy Heron or White Egret by John James Audubon

Our music today is another orchestral piece by Sergei Prokofiev. It is a fairly dramatic piece from a longer work called Romeo and Juliet performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. One of the things I liked about this particular video is that it shows the various instruments being played as they are featured. I also noticed that the conductor has very expressive hands as he directs the music.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_hOR50u7ek

Mrs. Cecil Frances Alexander wrote many poems and hymns one which inspired the title of this blog, "All Things Bright and Beautiful. Following is a nice biographical sketch.
http://www.stempublishing.com/hymns/biographies/alexander.html

Maker of Heaven and Earth (All Things Bright and Beautiful)

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.

The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
God made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate.

The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset, and the morning,
That brightens up the sky;

The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.

The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
We gather every day;--

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

Joseph Farquharson - The Hour of Prayer, Sergei Prokofiev - Peter and the Wolf, Eugene Field - The Sugar Plum Tree

2012-02-02T21:01:00.000-08:00

This is our final painting in this series by Joseph Farquaharson. It is quite different than the colorful and peaceful sheep paintings that we first studied. To me it isn't as "beautiful" but it definitely shows his skill as an artist. The architecture and complex tiles all done in perspective are realistic and believable. Notice his use of light and shadow. We will move on to a new artist next week.

One piece of music our family has enjoyed through the years is Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev. I hope you enjoy this musical story, too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irAPft-QVVQ&feature=related
The following link is to Phil Tugla-Through the Curriculum and has some wonderful helps and ideas for studying this piece of music including the text of the story and separate playings of the individual themes showing pictures of the instruments used as well as a suggested writing activity. http://www.philtulga.com/Peter.html

This link is to the Wikipedia article for Peter and the Wolf: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_and_the_Wolf

And the link to the Wikipedia article on Sergei Prokofiev: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Prokofiev

You might also enjoy this excerpt with video of a duck and her babies http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJR7oAKYUHA

This week another Eugene Field poem:

The Sugar-Plum Tree

Have you ever heard of the Sugar-Plum Tree?
'T is a marvel of great renown!
It blooms on the shore of the Lollipop sea
In the garden of Shut-Eye Town;
The fruit that it bears is so wondrously sweet
(As those who have tasted it say)
That good little children have only to eat
Of that fruit to be happy next day.
When you 've got to the tree, you would have a hard time
To capture the fruit which I sing;
The tree is so tall that no person could climb
To the boughs where the sugar-plums swing!
But up in that tree sits a chocolate cat,
And a gingerbread dog prowls below---
And this is the way you contrive to get at
Those sugar-plums tempting you so:
You say but the word to that gingerbread dog
And he barks with such terrible zest
That the chocolate cat is at once all agog,
As her swelling proportions attest.
And the chocolate cat goes cavorting around
From this leafy limb unto that,
And the sugar-plums tumble, of course, to the ground---
Hurrah for that chocolate cat!
There are marshmallows, gumdrops, and peppermint canes,
With stripings of scarlet or gold,
And you carry away of the treasure that rains
As much as your apron can hold!
So come, little child, cuddle closer to me
In your dainty white nightcap and gown,
And I 'll rock you away to that Sugar-Plum Tree
In the garden of Shut-Eye Town.

Joseph Farquharson - Egyptian Market, Ferdinando Carulli - Guitar and Pianoforte, Eugene Field - The Wanderer

2012-01-27T07:21:00.000-08:00

If you are new to this blog, Welcome and I hope you find these posts helpful. If you have ideas for making it better, please post comments or contact me at pattilofgren@gmail.com. If you don't care for a given artist, composer or poet you could go back to older posts.
Again this weeks painting by Joseph Farquaharson titled Egyptian Market, is so very different than the first works we looked at. I've been wondering if these last three paintings come from a trip he took to the Middle East. His use of warm colors and bright sunlight makes you almost feel the heat. What do you think is the "story" behind this painting? It might make a fun creative writing project to have your children write a story to go with this picture....

Today's piece by Ferdinando Carulli is complicated and intense - it is a duet with a guitar and Pianoforte.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVP5OvvdrVI

Our poem is The Wanderer by Eugene Field.

The wanderer

Upon a mountain height, far from the sea,
I found a shell,
And to my listening ear the lonely thing
Ever a song of ocean seemed to sing,
Ever a tale of ocean seemed to tell.

How came the shell upon that mountain height?
Ah, who can say
Whether there dropped by some too careless hand,
Or whether there cast when Ocean swept the Land,
Ere the Eternal had ordained the Day?

Strange, was it not? Far from its native deep,
One song it sang,--
Sang of the awful mysteries of the tide,
Sang of the misty sea, profound and wide,--
Ever with echoes of the ocean rang.

And as the shell upon the mountain height
Sings of the sea,
So do I ever, leagues and leagues away,--
So do I ever, wandering where I may,--
Sing, O my home! sing, O my home! of thee.

Joseph Farquharson - Boulach, the Port of Cairo, Ferdinando Carulli - Capriccio, Eugene Field - Wynken, Blynken and Nod

2012-01-18T22:06:00.000-08:00

This painting by Joseph Farquaharson is very different from his quiet sheep in snowy pastures pictures that we have been studying, and yet the pastel colors and water reflections are familiar. The setting is very different, but you can still catch the flavor of the artist in his work. Blue and orange are complementary colors, notice how the artist uses them to enhance each other. Lots of fun details to notice here.

Today's piece is a complicated guitar piece with a lot of energy and obviously taking a lot of skill to play. Capriccio by Ferdinando Carulli
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dENMD2zAsIQ

One of my favorite poems by Eugene Field is Wynken, Blynken, and Nod. I enjoy the sounds of the words and the dreamy word pictures.

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night
Sailed off in a wooden shoe,--
Sailed on a river of crystal light
Into a sea of dew.
"Where are you going, and what do you wish?"
The old moon asked the three.
"We have come to fish for the herring-fish
That live in this beautiful sea;
Nets of silver and gold have we,"
Said Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

The old moon laughed and sang a song,
As they rocked in the wooden shoe;
And the wind that sped them all night long
Ruffled the waves of dew;
The little stars were the herring-fish
That lived in the beautiful sea.
"Now cast your nets wherever you wish,--
Never afraid are we!"
So cried the stars to the fishermen three,
Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

All night long their nets they threw
To the stars in the twinkling foam,--
Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe,
Bringing the fishermen home:
'Twas all so pretty a sail, it seemed
As if it could not be;
And some folk thought 'twas a dream they'd dreamed
Of sailing that beautiful sea;
But I shall name you the fishermen three:
Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes,
And Nod is a little head,
And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies
Is a wee one's trundle-bed;
So shut your eyes while Mother sings
Of wonderful sights that be,
And you shall see the beautiful things
As you rock in the misty sea
Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three:--
Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

Joseph Farquharson - Sheep Grazing By the River - Ferdinando Carulli - Rondo Opus 241

2012-01-12T11:53:00.000-08:00

Today's painting by Joseph Farquharson is still of sheep but is a summer scene with blues, greens and browns rather than the soft pastels of the sun on snow. Note the sun and shadows and the reflections in the water even though it is obviously moving water.

Another beautiful piece of music by Ferdinando Carulli - Rondo Opus 241.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWI9EiLbFF4

I am reluctant to leave my favorite poet, but I hope you've gotten a taste for her wonderful poetry and will pursue it on your own. Today, I'd like to begin a study of poetry by Eugene Field. Today's poem is one of his I've often shared with my children as a lesson regarding the outcome of fighting. I hope you enjoy it as much as we have.

The Duel

The gingham dog and the calico cat
Side by side on the table sat;
'Twas half-past twelve, and (what do you think!)
Nor one nor the other had slept a wink!

     The old Dutch clock and the Chinese plate
     Appeared to know as sure as fate
There was going to be a terrible spat.
     (I wasn't there; I simply state
     What was told me by the Chinese plate!)

The gingham dog went "bow-wow-wow!"
And the calico cat replied "mee-ow!"
The air was littered, an hour or so,
With bits of gingham and calico,
     While the old Dutch clock in place
     Up with its hands before its face,
For it always dreaded a family row!
     (Now mind: I'm only telling you
     What the old Dutch clock declares is true!)

The Chinese plate looked very blue,
And wailed, "Oh, dear! what shall we do?"
But the gingham dog and the calico cat
Wallowed this way and tumbled that,
     Employing every tooth and claw
     In the awfullest way you ever saw--
And, oh! how the gingham and calico flew!
     (Don't fancy I exaggerate!
     I got my news from the Chinese plate!)

Next morning, where the two had sat,
They found no trace of dog or cat;
And some folks think unto this day
That burglars stole that pair away!
     But the truth about the cat and pup
     Is this: they ate each other up!
Now what do you really think of that!
     (The old Dutch clock it told me so,
     And that is how I came to know.)

For a biographical sketch of Eugene Field click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_Field or here:
http://www.eugenefieldhouse.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=64

Joseph Farquharson - The Winter's Glow; Ferdinando Carulli - Overture, and Amy Carmichael, Be Thou my Vision and Show the Way

2012-01-06T22:36:00.000-08:00

"The Winter's Glow" is the last winter sheep painting I have planned for Joseph Farquharson - next week we will view a summer scene of sheep and then move on to some very different paintings of his. His winter sheep scenes seem to me to have a comforting peacefulness to them. Again there are a lot of wonderful details to take in if you take time to study this picture.

Today's piece by Ferdinando Carulli is called Overture. This looks like a challenging piece to play but this young man plays it beautifully. I enjoy the happy sound of Carulli's music.
Click the link below to listen to it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOosYEJDS4o

The poems I've been sharing with you the past few weeks by Amy Carmichael are from a collection of her poems titled, Mountain Breezes. I highly recommend this book. It is my favorite book of poetry and I turn to it over and over again. Amy's spiritual insights were deep and her word pictures are beautiful and touch my heart deeply.

BE THOU MY VISION
O Lord, we bring Thee these for whom we pray--
Be Thou their strength, their courage and their stay;
And should their faith flag as they run the race.
Show them again the vision of Thy face.

Be Thou their vision, Lord of Calvary.
Hold them to follow; hold them fast by Thee
O Thou who art more near to us than air,
Let them not miss Thee ever, anywhere.

SHOW THE WAY
Order his steps, O Savior, lest he stray;
For all is new--he does not know the way.
Thy word is light; no other lantern, Lord,
Need we, nor ask we, but Thine own clear word.

Lord, give him grace, that he obey his light;
Courage and faith, lest he should fail in fight.
O knit his heart to Thee, that he be found
Steadfast in Thee, and in Thy statutes sound.

Joseph Farquharson - A Winter's Morning, Ferdinando Carulli - Etude

2011-12-30T20:14:00.000-08:00

Sorry this post is late this week .... Hope you're still enjoying Joseph Farquaharson's work - today's painting is called "A Winter's Morning". He seemed to like painting the wonderful colors of sunrise and sunset on snow. Notice again the light and sky colors reflected in the water under the bridge. I thought the birds were a fun touch, too.

We continue with the beautiful and peaceful guitar music of Ferdinando Carulli - today's piece is Etude
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0btBVhYx3E

I hope you aren't tiring of Amy Carmichael yet, she has so many wonderful and inspiring poems!!

LET US LOOK UP
Great God of strength and quietness,
Of heights undreamed, of depths profound,
Our poor endeavors shame us less
Than thoughts that often hedge us round:

Our noisy, vain imaginings,
Our busy fears, when we might rise
Serene as on an eagle's wings.
And taste the bliss of heavenly skies.

Thine angels swift, obedient,
Who do Thy pleasure joyfully,
Are round about us, well content
To succor one beloved by Thee.

And Thou our God dost on us wait,
Attentive to our lightest call;
Thy gentleness would make us great
were we not set on being small.

Forgive us, Lord; in us renew
A faith that cannot fear mischance;
Let us look up and see the blue,
The love light on Thy countenance.

Oh, never never let us be
As those who have not heard the voice
That calls to us perpetually;
Rejoice; again I say, Rejoice!

Joseph Farquharson - Gathering Winter Fuel, Ferdinando Carulli - Concerto for Flute and Guitar, and Amy Carmichael - The Wise Men, The King in a Manger and God's Thread

2011-12-22T21:11:00.000-08:00

I'm posting today's painting by Joseph Farqaharson twice as I found two quite different versions of it. The second one looks like his colors and soft textures, but the first gives more detail. I hope you enjoy them both. There are many little details to take in and remember.

Today's piece of music by Ferdinando Carulli is Concerto for Flute and Guitar. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFXrbjuataA

There are some interesting and challenging ideas in the following poem by Amy Carmichael - missionary to India

GOD'S THREAD

"An ill dread is hanging over me,

Slung on a single strand of cobweb thread.

I do not know how I can live today

The usual life of common duties, turn

A calm front to the day's perplexities,

A smile upon its small, persistent cares--

While inwardly a raging fear devours

Courage in mouthfuls; and my chariot wheels

Drag heavily; and gladness flies from me,

leaving me standing shivering on the edge

Of unknown desolation; and all things

Look dark to me. O God, Thou knowest my fear;

Go Thou not far from me lest trouble be near."

"An ill thou dreadest hanging over thee,

Slung on a single silken strand of cobweb thread--

Think: Is it cobweb thread? No spider of chance

Spun that fine-twined thread from out herself

In blind obedience to some unknown law.

But I, thy God, thy Father, spun that thread

Whose very substance is My eternal will,

My eternal Love. And in My hand I hold

The further end and guard its whole long length

From human intermeddling. I may use

Some visible hand to operate and loose

The seeming ill, but I alone am He

With whom thou hast to do. And I, thy God,

The Father of Lights in whom no variableness

Nor shadow cast by turning ever was,

Am with thee, to be light to all thy days,

Even to the end. Therefore, thou wilt be strong

And more than conqueror; for I am here:

I go not from My own when trouble is near."

And two for Christmas:

THE KING IN A MANGER
When the morning stars sang together, and all
The sons of God shouted for joy,
He was there--who was laid in a manger made
For little calves of the stall:
The King, the King of Eternity,
Laid His glory by for thee and for me.

Who hung the round world upon nothing--He lay
A babe on His mother's lap.
Who made of the clouds swaddling bands for the sea,
Her gentle hands did Him wrap:
The king, the King of Eternity,
Laid His glory by for thee and for me.

Oh, well may we love our kingly Lord,
Oh, well may we love our King
Who for love of us all became weak and small
As any baby thing.
The King, the King of Eternity,
Laid His glory by for thee

THE WISE MEN

Once a star rose in the sky,

Silver star of mystery,

But the wise men, pondering, knew

What it said that they must do.

So, in that first Christmastide,

On their camels they did ride--

Rode to far Jerusalem,

Rode to farther Bethlehem;

Found the little, precious child,

On the ground before Him piled

Gold and frankincense and myrrh;

Hailed Him Royal Conqueror.

Once again, led by a Star,

Do we come from near and far,

Drawn by Love's beloved cords,

Hail our Savior, Lord of lords.

And as holy seraphim

Veil their faces, worship Him,

Pray we now this Christmas grace--

Reverence as we seek His Face.

Joseph Farqueharson, Carulli - Waltz Allegretto

2011-12-16T10:15:00.000-08:00

I like the way the colors in the sky reflect in the water in this painting by Joseph Farqueharson.

Today's music by the Italian composer Ferdinado Carulli is a Waltz - Allegretto. I hope you enjoy this peaceful piece.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_iA9Pr9bwc&feature=related

Two more Amy Carmichael poems from Mountain Breezes:

I WANT TO CLIMB
I want to climb the air;
I want to find the stair,
But I cannot find itanywhere.

I know quite well there are
Great things up there--far, far;
I should like to stand upon a star.

But though I cannot go
So far away, quite low
Many little, lovely, dear things grow.

A QUIET MIND
What room is there for troubled fear?
I know my Lord, and He is near;
And He will light my candle, so
That I may see the way to go.
O Love, O Light, I sing to Thee,
And in my heart make melody.

There need be no bewilderment
To one who goes where he is sent;
The trackless plain by night and day
Is setwith signs lest he should stray.
O Love, O Light, I sing to Thee.
And in my heartmakemelody.

My path may cross a waste of sea,
But that need never frighten me;
Or rivers full to very brim,
But they are open ways to Him,
O Love, O Light, I sing to Thee,
And in my heart make melody.

My path may lead through woods atnight,
Where neither moon nor any light
Of guiding star or beacon shin3es;
He will not letme missmy signs,
O Love, O Light, I sing to Thee,
And in my heart make melody.

Lord, grant to me a quiet mind,
That trusting Thee--for Thou art kind--
I may go on without a fear,
For Thou, my Lord, art always near.
O Love, O Light, I sing to Thee,
And in my heart make melody.

Joseph Farquharson, Ferdinando Carulli,

2011-12-09T08:39:00.000-08:00

Another beautiful painting by Joseph Farquharson. Again it includes sheep and the wonderful pastel colors on the snow. Note his use of light and color.

And the Sun Peeped O'er Yon Southland Hills

Today's musical piece by Ferdinando Carulli is Andantino in G
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbJsL1g2HL

More of Amy Carmichael's wonderful poetry this week

OUR STRONG CAPTAIN

(I Kings 20:27)

Like two little flocks of kids,

We are scattered on the hill;

Of what avail our puny might?

Of what avail our skill?

But with us is the Lord of Hosts:

He is the Lamb that was slain;

What matter though the Syrians fill

The valley and the plain!

GOD'S LAUGH

(Psalm 2:4-6)

Thou art here--Emmanuel;

Therefore shall the evil fall.

Rage the powers of death and hell?

Laugh the hosts satanical?

But the Lord shall laugh at them;

Short their day and fleeting fast.

And the Child of Bethlehem

Shall be King at last, at last.

Joseph Farquharson - The Shortening Winter's Day, Ferdinando Carulli and

2011-12-02T06:22:00.000-08:00

I'd like to introduce you to a new artist this week -
Joseph Farquharson. Joseph Farquharson who was from Scottland painted in both oil and watercolor. As a child, he used his father's paint box on Saturdays which was the only day his father allowed him to paint. When he turned 12 his father bought him his first paints and only a year later he exhibited his first painting at the Royal Scottish Academy. His paintings often include sheep.

The Shortening Winter's Day is Near a Close

Note the wonderful pastel colors Farquharson uses to depict the snow shadows and sheep's wool.

Our new composer is Ferdinando Carulli. The following is a quote from Wikipedia Maria Meinrado Francesco Pascale Rosario Carulli (Naples, 9 February 1770 – Paris, 17 February 1841) was an Italian composer for classical guitar and the author of the first complete classical guitar method, which continues to be used today. He wrote a variety of works for classical guitar, including concertos and chamber works. He was an extremely prolific writer for guitar, composing over 400 works for the instrument in the space of 12 years.

To read more use the following links:

http://www.classical.net/music/comp.lst/carulli.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinando_Carulli

This week's piece of music by Ferdinando Carulli is Andante in A Minor. You can listen on the following You-tube link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdGFyrs5j8c

Our Amy Carmichael poems for this week follow. I hope you are enjoying her works as much as I am.

THE MOON RAINBOW
It was a chilly night
At the end of a showery day,
And the air was full of a silver light
And rain like the dust of spray.

And softly the woodland folk
Moved here and there; and, dumb,
The night-bird flew; and suddenly broke
Through the silence, a voice calling, "Come."

And we stood in the dim moonshine
And saw a wonder grow
Like a moonflower's delicate, curving line,
A floating phantom bow.

The glimmering colors hung
Over mountain, forest and stream.
Was ever a radiance so lightly flung
In a faint and vanishing dream?

What lay beyond? We shall know
When the King of Eternity,
Whose fingers fashioned the moon rainbow,
Calls, "Children, come and see."

THE WISE MEN

Once a star rose in the sky,
Silver star of mystery,
But the wise men, pondering, knew
What it said that they must do.

So, in that first Christmastide,
On their camels they did ride--
Rode to far Jerusalem,
Rode to farther Bethlehem;

Found the little, precious child,
On the ground before Him piled
Gold and frankincense and myrrh;
Hailed Him Royal Conqueror.

Once again, led by a Star.
Do we come from near and far,
Drawn by Love's beloved cords,
Hail our Savior, Lord of lords.

And as holy Seraphim
Veil their faces, worship Him,
Pray we now this Christmas grace--
Reverence as we seek His Face.

Elizabeth Gardner Bouguereau - Young Girl With a Basket of Grapes, Beethoven Piano Concerto 5 Movement 1 Allegro, Amy Carmichael

2011-11-23T11:38:00.000-08:00

Young Girl With a Basket of Grapes by
Elizabeth Gardner Bouguereau

Ludwig Von Beethoven - Piano Concerto 5 Movement 1 Allegro
Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5C7dtuikFE
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DQ_zj_SjuQ&feature=related

More of Amy Carmichael's wonderful poetry:

JOY COMES SINGING
Lord, I would take Thy comfortings
With both hands gratefuly,
And grief's dark overshadowings,
As lightly as may be--
For they belong to evenings;
Joy comes with day to me,
Comes running with the day to me.

Although my wayside inn at night
May harbor grief as guest,
With dawn he swiftly takes his flight--
And like a bird to nest,
Dear joy comes singing with delight,
As she comes home to rest;
Dear joy comes singing home to rest.

ILLUMINATION
The Sky
In me is light:
Consider well my sun, his rise, his setting;
My glory of noon.
Let there be no forgetting
My sparkling dust of stars; my exceeding bright
And quiet moon;
My swift, forked lightnings. Where, if not in me,
Is there illumination? Filled am I
With light that passeth all things.
Thus, the sky.

The Sea
In me is light:
Most wondrous is the glory of my gleaming;
My waterways,
With delicate sunbeams dreaming
In intricate, netted dances do unite.
My very haze
Is luminous; and my night is lit with lamps
Mysteriously moving. Yea, in me
Is all illumination.
Thus, the sea.

The Earth
In me is light:
My flowers are dressed in garments light-enwoven'
My creatures reign
Royal in colors. Cloven
By fire or frost, my substance, depth or height,
Discovers vein
On vein of lustrous metals, jewel beds,
Hidden illumination. All the mirth
O lightsome things possess I.
Thus, the earth.
* * * * * * * * * * *
I listen to the voices of the sky;
I listen to the voices of the sea;
The earth, with all her various loveliness, sings
Sweet songs to me.
But something in me wanders wistful still,
Unsatisfied;
Beyond the light of earth and sea and sky
Is there no light beside?
I stand outside life's shining palace halls,
Disconsolate;
Will no one come, interpret mysteries,
Unlock the gate?
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
After this I looked, and behold,
A door was opened in heaven.
And by desire made bold,
Forward I ran, and saw the ColorsSeven
Entangled as a rainbow caught in spray,
Over-arch the way;
Whence issued pure, foam-white,
From fountain springs of light,
The exhaustless love of the Lord.
(O rich reward
For poverty of yearning!)
Glowing, burning,
I had felt the heats of the world's brilliance pass;
As withered grass
They left me, scorched by the very glow.

No penetrating
Through the last layers of the dusty clod
I call my soul, the love of God,
Lover of lovers, came
Keen as a flame,
Illuminating
By that strange, spiritual brightness, my waste lands.
And lo,
The whole wide world did to my Lover sing
In colors; even the desert sands
Were quickened and were green, recovering
All in a moment, verdure. And a rain
Mixed with the light, swept by and cleansed the air.

Oh, it was beautiful,
Beyond the reach
Of mind to think it, heart to adore it--
Beautiful.
All previous lights paled utterly before it.
I stood upon the beach
Of infinite joys and gazed
And gazed again,
All humbled and amazed
By the tumultous rush of mine own happiness
And only knew to bless
The Giver and confess
Myself content to be forever there.

Till a familiar voice came unto me and said:
"Although life shed
Her visible glories, still do thou believe.
Doubt not what thou hast seen; rather, retrieve
Thine own--for no decptive dream,
To fade or fail,
That vision beautiful.
But thou must learn to prevail
By force of faith. Be humble, dutiful,
Sincere, without offence,
And quick to penitence;
And put far from thee vanity and lies,
Thy stedfast eyes
Set on the invisible. And know
Assuredly: above, below,
Behind the changes of thy changeful heart,
Behind the fluctuations of thy will,
Uninfluenced by the influences of time,
The love of the Lord, once thine,
Continues with thee. Part
In no wise from this assurance; let it fill
Thy being with its gladness. In thy God
Learn thou to hold thee still.

"Then, in those desperate moments when there slips
Sense of possession from thee,
And fear strips
Feeling from off thee,
And thou standest alone--
Then, then, oh be it known
Through to the core of thee, that Love remains!
For no bewildering pains
Of life or death can wrest her from thee,
No, not even stains
Or shadows of thy sin dim her illumination;
Her tranquility
Shaming thy restlessness,
Her light, like to a pearl most precious."

Fell quietness then, and hushed me. All creation
Lay back from me, as owning
Itself surpassed. And as a homing,
Tired bird returns into her nest,
My soul returned unto her rest.

Elizabeth Gardener Bouguereau - The Imprudent Girl, Ludwig Von Beethoven,- Spring and Amy Carmichael

2011-11-17T08:18:00.000-08:00

What do you think is the story behind this painting by
Elizabeth Gardner Bouguereau?

The Imprudent Girl by Elizabeth Gardner Bouguereau

Ludwig Van Beethoven's Spring Sonata for Violin and Piano I Allegro is a beautiful piece. I hope you enjoy it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q64VUslNgSI

Poems by Amy Carmichael

WHAT IS DISCIPLINE
When I refuse the easy thing for love of my dear Lord,
And when I choose the harder thing for love of my dear Lord,
And do not make a fuss or speak a single grumbling word;
That is discipline.

When everything seems going wrong and yet I will not grouse,
When it is hot, and I am tired, and yet I will not grouse,
But sing a song and do my work in school and in the house;
That is discipline.

When Satan whispers, "Scamp your work"--to say to him, "I won't,"
When Satan whispers, "Slack a bit"--to say to him, "I won't,"
To rule myself and not to wait for others' "Do" and "Don't";
That is discipline.

When I look up and triumph over every sinful thing,
The things that no one knows about--the cowardly, selfish thing--
And when with heart and will I live to please my glorious King;
That is discipline.

To trample on that curious thing inside me that says "I,"
To think of others always--never, never of that "I,"
To learn to live according to my Savior's word, "Deny";
That is discipline.

I WANT TO CLIMB
I want to climb the air;
I want to find the stair,
But I cannot find it anywhere.

I know quite well there are
Great things up there--far, far;
I should like to stand upon a star.

But though I cannot go
So far away, quite low
Many little, lovely, dear things grow.

JOY IN THE MORNING
As surely as the shadows of night
Give way to the splendor of morning,
So, sorrow may lodge for a night,
But joy shall come in the morning.

O Giver of songs in the night,
O Lord of the stars of the morning,
We praise Thee, for Thou art our Light,
And Thy kindness is new every morning.

Elizabeth Gardener Bouguereau - The Farmer's Daughter, Ludwig Von Beethoven-- Moonlight Sonata

2011-11-10T13:14:00.000-08:00

The Farmer's Daughter by Elizabeth Gardner Bouguereau

Notice all the variety in the chickens that this girl is feeding and the wonderful use of color and repetition of red throughout this painting by Elisabeth Gardner Bouguereau.

Today's piece by Ludwig Van Beethoven is called Moonlight. Can you "hear" moonlight when you listen to this piece?

You can listen to it at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tr0otuiQuU&feature=related or watch it played here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqjOQIwKsGA

Amy Carmichael poems for this week are:

THE KING IN THE MANGER
When the morning stars sang together, and all
The sons of God shouted for joy,
He was there--who was laid in a manger made
For teh little calves of the stall:
The king, the King of Eternity,
Laid His glory by for thee and for me.

Who hung the round world upon nothing--He lay
A babe on His mother's lap.
Who made of the clouds swaddling bands for the sea,
Her gentle hands did Him wrap:
The King, the King of Eternity,
Laid His glory by for thee and for me.

Oh, well may we love our kingly Lord,
Oh, well may we love our King
Who for love of us all became weak and small
As any baby thing.
The King, the King of Eternity,
Laid His glory by for thee and for me.

ANTS: A CHILD'S QUESTION
Each has its little life to live;
Each has its death to die.
But each is such a minute speck of life
That though we may fervently try,
We cannot concern ourselves very much
Whether it live of die.

Are we as minute to the angels who look
Down from their place in the sky?
Do the great people there
Very greatly care
Whether we laugh or cry?
To them are we mere little atoms of life
That are born, grow old, and die?

No, no.
It is not so:
For One who is higher than they
Took flesh of our flesh and stooped to die
In pitiful, human way.

And ever since that wonderful day
When the Highest lifted us high,
To the angels we are not common clay,
Not morsels and motes to come and to go,
But beings beloved, in whom they know
Is the mystic seed of eternity:
They see in us that which yet shall be.

Elizabeth Gardener Bouguereau -

2011-11-03T04:54:00.000-07:00

I thought this painting by Elizabeth Gardener Bouguereau of the two girls feeding the bird was fun. What kind of fruit do you think the girls are feeding the bird?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQVeaIHWWck

Ludwig Von Beethoven wrote the following beautiful and peaceful piece of music called "Pathetique" Sonata in C minor II Adagio Cantabile. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBbF8tsNQ7k

I hope you have been enjoying the poetry of Amy Carmichael as much as I have! Here are two more of her works.

FOR JESUS
Jesus, Savior, dost Thou see
When I'm doing things for Thee?
Common things, not great and grand:
Carrying stones, and earth and sand?

"I did common work, you know,
Many, many years ago;
And I don't forget. I see
Everything you do for Me."

JESUS' WAYS
If Jesus built a ship,
She would travel trim;
If Jesus roofed a barn,
No leaks would be left by Him;
If Jesus planted a garden,
He would make it like Paradise;
If Jesus did my day's work,
It would delight His Father's eyes.

2011-10-27T21:01:00.000-07:00

I like how Elizabeth Gardener Bouguereau has painted David giving the honor for his victory of the lion to the LORD.

How often we have "lions" in our lives that need to be fought in the strength of the LORD! Then we can give Him the glory....

Our piece of music this week from Ludwig Van Beethoven is Fur Elise (for Elise) a well-known favorite of many. You listen on You-Tube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_UOuSklNL4&feature=related

Poetry by Amy Carmichael -

THE IMPOSSIBLE
For all that seems impossible,
For all things hard,
I thank Thee who art my exceeding Joy
And great Reward.

For what I have not strength to do,
Where I must fail,
All glory to the Victor in the fight,
Who will prevail.

THE FAITHFUL SHEPHERD
As the faithful shepherd toileth,
Through the briars, up the steep,
Lest some evil prowler spoileth
His poor foolish wandering sheep,

So, great Shepherd, would we, caring
For each several precious one,
Something of Thy travail sharing,
Seek Thy sheep till set of sun.

Only twelve short hours--oh, never
Let the sense of urgency
Die in us, Good Shepherd, ever
Let us search the hills with Thee.

Elizabeth Gardener Bouguereau - The Shepherd-David, Ludwig Van Beethoven - Fur Elise, and Amy Carmichael

2011-10-20T04:53:00.000-07:00

I like how Elizabeth Gardener Bouguereau has painted David giving the honor for his victory of the lion to the LORD.

Our piece of music this week from Ludwig Van Beethoven is Fur Elise (for Elise) a well-known favorite of many. You listen on You-Tube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_UOuSklNL4&feature=related

Poetry by Amy Carmichael -

THE IMPOSSIBLE
For all that seems impossible,
For all things hard,
I thank Thee who art my exceeding Joy
And great Reward.

For what I have not strength to do,
Where I must fail,
All glory to the Victor in the fight,
Who will prevail.

THE FAITHFUL SHEPHERD
As the faithful shepherd toileth,
Through the briars, up the steep,
Lest some evil prowler spoileth
His poor foolish wandering sheep,

So, great Shepherd, would we, caring
For each several precious one,
Something of Thy travail sharing,
Seek Thy sheep till set of sun.

Only twelve short hours--oh, never
Let the sense of urgency
Die in us, Good Shepherd, ever
Let us search the hills with Thee.

Elizabeth Gardener Bouguereau - Soap Bubbles, Ludwig Von Beethoven,

2011-10-06T05:31:00.000-07:00

New poems by Amy Carmichael today. Hope you enjoy the painting and music again. How is this working out for you all? Would you prefer a new painting and piece of music weekly or do you prefer having them for two consecutive weeks as we've been doing? I'd like to hear from you what would work best for you. Thanks
This week's painting is Soap Bubbles by

Elizabeth Gardner Bouguereau.

Soap Bubbles by Elizabeth Gardner Bouguereau

This week's music by Ludwig Van Beethoven is Symphony #9. You can watch it here along with beautiful scenery: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAOTCtW9v0M&feature=related

Most of the poetry of Amy Carmichael that we are featuring is for young people but I highly recommend all of her work. She was deeply devoted to the LORD and wrote beautiful poetry. She didn't shrink from painful or disappointing experiences but saw them as a part of God's plan and a fellowship in His sufferings, a taking up of her cross. You can read all of her work in Mountain Breezes which is a collection of her work.

BUBBLES
What are bubbles made of? Tell me:
Diamond flashes?
Film of pearls?
See, the smooth green water curls
Round the shoulder
Of a boulder;
Something shatters,
Something Scatters,
Dances on the polished floor;
More and more
Come and go;
Underflow
Of swift water hurries past;
Bubbles frolic on it, last
Just a moment; others run
In their myriads, and are spun
Down the shining, sunlit river,
On and on, and on forever.

OURS FOREVER
All that was ever ours is ours forever:
Glory of greenwood and the shining river,
Joy of companionship of kindred mind;
All, all is ours. It is not left behind
Among the withered things that must decay;
It is stored up for us, somewhere, and for another day.

Elizabeth Gardener Bouguereau, Ludwig Von Beethoven, 5th Symphony, Amy Carmichael - Wonderland

2011-09-22T12:30:00.000-07:00

I've put much of the wonderful classical pieces we've been enjoying on this blog onto the playlist at the very bottom of this blog. Feel free to scroll down and use it as a pop-out player to continue listening to this music throughout the day.

We've looked at William Adolphe Bouguereau now I'd like to feature paintings by his second wife, Elisabeth. I think her paintings are very similar to her husbands and I like them a lot! As with his work hers is realistic. This painting makes me want to know what they were so quietly watching. The following is a brief biographical paragraph from the Art Renewal Center Museum. You can visit that site at the link following the paragraph.

ELIZABETH GARDENER BOUGUEREAU was an American from New Hampshire who studied with William Bouguereau, later to become his second wife after the death of his first wife Nellie a few years prior. Her art historical influence is very significant, as she undoubtedly played a role in persuading her husband to use his influence as President of the Academy, Head of the Salon, and President of the Legion d'Honneur, to convince the Academie Julien (and a few years later the École des Beaux Arts) to open their doors to women for the first time in history.

http://www.artrenewal.org/pages/artist.php?artistid=372

The next composer I would like to feature is Ludwig Van Beethoven.

The following link has a biographical sketch of his life and you can also listen to a lot of his works there. http://www.lvbeethoven.com/Bio/BiographyLudwig.html

The first piece I would like to feature is from Beethoven's 5th Symphony. You can listen and watch it performed on the following you-tube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6K_IuBsRM4

Our poem this week by Amy Carmichael is

Wonderland
Lord, Thy little children stand
At the opeing of the day
Bordering on Wonderland.

Very near to us it lies,
Gathers round us as we play,
Waiting for our seeing eyes.

Wonderland is everywhere;
Can we go where it is not?
When we go, we find Thee there.

And Thou art so very kind;
Thou hast never once forgot
To put things for us to find.

Oh, a thousand voices call,
"Come and find what has been hidden;
All the world's a Wonder-ball."

Father, may we take Thy hand?
We will do as we are bidden.
Come with us to Wonderland.

Elizabeth Gardener Bouguereau, Ludwig Von Beethoven, 5th Symphony, Amy Carmichael - Wonderland

2011-09-15T17:28:00.000-07:00

http://www.artrenewal.org/pages/artist.php?artistid=372

The next composer I would like to feature is Ludwig Van Beethoven.

The following link has a biographical sketch of his life and you can also listen to a lot of his works there. http://www.lvbeethoven.com/Bio/BiographyLudwig.html

The first piece I would like to feature is from Beethoven's 5th Symphony. You can listen and watch it performed on the following you-tube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6K_IuBsRM4

William Adolphe Bouguereau - Girl with a Bird, Johann Sebastian Bach - Double Violin Concerto in D minor 2nd movement - Largo, and Amy Carmichael - Hast Thou No Scar?

2011-09-09T05:49:00.000-07:00

There are wonderful details in this painting by William Adolphe Bouguereau. It might be fun to take turns with your children noting different details and see how long you can keep going.

There is such a delight in the things God has made in nature for us to enjoy. When we get up close and make a connection as the girl is with the bird it is even more special.

Johann Sebastian Bach's - Double Violin Concerto in D minor 2nd movement - Largo is our final piece of Bach's music for now unless one of you has a favorite piece we haven't featured yet. If someone has a suggestion we will feature it next week, otherwise we'll move on to a new composer. You can listen to today's piece on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo0K_n3VLG4

One of my heroes is Amy Carmichael who was a missionary to India and started the Dohnavur Fellowship where she raised many young girls that she rescued from temple prostitution. The story of her life, A Chance to Die by Elisabeth Elliot is a wonderful biography. There are also other biographies of her life written for younger children. I highly recommend that you share her story with your family. Also any of her devotional writings are worth reading and savoring. The following is Wikipedia's entry on Amy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Carmichael. Amy wrote poems for young people that we will feature in coming weeks but I especially like this well-known poem of hers about the suffering that we experience as we follow Christ.

HAST THOU NO SCAR?

Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land;
I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star.
Hast thou no scar?

Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers; spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned.
Hast thou no wound?

No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And piercèd are the feet that follow Me.
But thine are whole; can he have followed far
Who hast no wound or scar?

William Bouguereau - Girl with Bird, Bach - Double Violin Concerto in D, Amy Carmichael - Hast Thou No Scar?

2011-09-01T14:33:00.000-07:00

This is our final painting for now by William Bouguereau. I like the delight in the little girl's eyes as she enjoys her pet bird. Bouguereau was very skilled at making people look real and catching their expressions. Again, I would welcome any comments you have this week or next on this post.

Today we'll feature our final piece by Johann Sebastian Bach for this season - Double Violin Concerto in D minor 2nd movement - Largo you can listen on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo0K_n3VLG4

One of my heroes is Amy Carmichael who was a missionary to India and started the Dohnavur Fellowship where she raised many young girls that she rescued from temple prostitution. The story of her life, A Chance to Die by Elisabeth Elliot is a wonderful biography. There are also other biographies of her life written for younger children. I highly recommend that you share her story with your family. Also any of her devotional writings are worth reading and savoring. The following is Wikipedia's entry on Amy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Carmichael. Amy wrote poems for young people that we will feature in coming weeks but I especially like this well-known poem of hers about the suffering that we experience as we follow Christ.

HAST THOU NO SCAR?

Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land;
I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star.
Hast thou no scar?

Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers; spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned.
Hast thou no wound?

No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And piercèd are the feet that follow Me.
But thine are whole; can he have followed far
Who hast no wound or scar?

Bouguereau Mother and Baby,

2011-08-24T19:55:00.000-07:00

I would like to see this blog become more interactive. I plan to add a few more of my own thoughts and impressions and would welcome comments and ideas from those of you who use and enjoy these posts. If you do further research and find things worth sharing you could share those or just your family's thoughts and reactions to the pieces. If you have your children copy the painting or write a description of it, you could post their work here :). To leave a comment scroll to the bottom of the current post and click on the word "comment". I'll look forward to hearing from some of you and I think your comments and ideas will also be a blessing to others.

William Adolphe Bouguereau

Maternal Admiration by William Adolphe Bouguereau

I enjoyed the artist's use of red in the mother's clothing against the dark green background (complementary colors) and the "innocent" baby in creamy white. I also noticed that the light is falling full on the baby. 5 year old John commented, "Awww, cute! Is that from the olden days? I like her style(I think referring to her clothes). Ruthie would really like the baby." My daughter Rachael framed a faded copy of this painting overlaid with a poem she had written for me as her Mom - very special!! I have it in our livingroom.

A peaceful piece by Johann Sebastian Bach that is one of my favorites - Air on G String
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2j-frfK-yg&feature=related

I enjoyed the computerized graphics allowing us to watch the sound dance as the music notes move up and down. This piece is very peaceful. By the way, if you want to listen to some of the pieces and musicians that have been featured so far on this blog you can click on the pop-out player at the very bottom of the blog and keep the music playing while you do other things.

The Sun Travels
by Robert Louis Stevenson

The sun is not a-bed, when I
At night upon my pillow lie;
Still round the earth his way he takes,
And morning after morning makes.

While here at home, in shining day,
We round the sunny garden play,
Each little Indian sleepy-head
Is being kissed and put to bed.

And when at eve I rise from tea,
Day dawns beyond the Atlantic Sea;
And all the children in the west
Are getting up and being dressed.

William Beauguereau, Johann Sebastian Bach - Air on G String, The Sun Travels by Robert Louis Stevenson

2011-08-18T11:35:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking that perhaps I am moving too quickly over each painting, that having so much available we aren't able to take time to savor it. For my own children I'm thinking that seeing a particular painting for two weeks in a row and studying it more carefully might be more beneficial than moving on to a new one every week. With the music and poetry this is probably true also. I know that, for myself, going over a thing repeatedly makes me familiar with it and gives more satisfaction as it becomes "mine". Also I think I'll try making each new painting the screensaver on our computer so it gets looked at over and over throughout the two weeks. I'm open to your opinions on this. Have you been enjoying having a new post every week or would bi-weekly be just as good or perhaps better? I hope you enjoy today's touching painting of a mother and her baby. William Adolphe Bouguereau does such a good job of capturing both the baby's peacefulness in sleep and the mother's adoration.

Maternal Admiration by William Adolphe Bouguereau

A peaceful piece by Johann Sebastian Bach that is one of my favorites - Air on G String
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2j-frfK-yg&feature=related

The Sun Travels
by Robert Louis Stevenson

William Adolphe Beauguereau,

2011-08-12T05:23:00.000-07:00

William Adolphe Beauguereau

The following is a brief biographical sketch of
William Adolphe Beauguereau taken from the Art Renewal Center Museum site:

Excerpt from the Biography of William Bouguereau, by Damien Bartoli:

"William Bouguereau is unquestionably one of history's greatest artistic geniuses. Yet in the past century, his reputation and unparalleled accomplishments have undergone a libelous, dishonest, relentless and systematic assault of immense proportions. His name was stricken from most history texts and when included it was only to blindly, degrade and disparage him and his work. Yet, as we shall see, it was he who single handedly opened the French academies to women, and it was he who was arguably the greatest painter of the human figure in all of art history. His figures come to life like no previous artist has ever before or ever since achieved. He wasn't just the best ever at painting human anatomy, more importantly he captured the tender and subtlest nuances of personality and mood. Bouguereau caught the very souls and spirits of his subjects much like Rembrandt. Rembrandt is said to have captured the soul of age. Bouguereau captured the soul of youth.

Considering his consummate level of skill and craft, and the fact that the great preponderance of his works are life-size, it is one of the largest bodies of work ever produced by any artist. Add to that the fact that fully half of these paintings are great masterpieces, and we have the picture of an artist who belongs like Michelangelo, Rembrandt and Carravaggio, in the top ranks of only a handful of masters in the entire history of western art."

Today, Johann Sebastian Bach's best known organ piece - Toccata and Fugue in D minor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATbMw6X3T40&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_78634

This was a new poem for me by Robert Louis Stevenson, but I liked it, I hope you do, too.

Come from the Daisied Meadows
HOME from the daisied meadows, where you linger yet -
Home, golden-headed playmate, ere the sun is set;
For the dews are falling fast
And the night has come at last.
Home with you, home and lay your little head at rest,
Safe, safe, my little darling, on your mother's breast.
Lullaby, darling; your mother is watching you;
she'll be your guardian and shield.
Lullaby, slumber, my darling, till morning be
bright upon mountain and field.
Long, long the shadows fall.
All white and smooth at home your little bed is laid.
All round your head be angels.

William Adolphe Beauguereau, Bach - The Well Tempered Clavier, Stevenson - At the Seaside

2011-08-05T08:32:00.000-07:00

William Adolphe Beauguereau has done a wonderful job of capturing the expressions of this moment. Also look at the wonderful details including the details of the fabrics and clothing.

Johann Sebastian Bach wrote a collection of solo keyboard for students. In his words, "for the profit and use of musical youth desirous of learning, and especially for the pastime of those already skilled in this study." Each book contains twenty-four pairs of preludes and fugues. The first pair is in C major, the second in C minor, the third in C-sharp major, the fourth in C-sharp minor, and so on. The rising chromatic pattern continues until every key has been represented, finishing with a B-minor fugue.

Listen to The first pair in C major here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KQW2YnCUrE&feature=related

And the second in C minor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVs2TTYkKF8&feature=related

C Sharp major: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6H8LN0tTrA&feature=related

This is a beautiful piece - I hope you enjoy it: Ashkenazy plays Bach WTC Book 1 Prelude and Fugue no.8 in E-Flat minor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCCzlIv2lcA

A quote from a listener to the first of this week's you-tube video: "We spent two weeks analyzing the prelude portion in my high school theory class. I was completely enraptured by the simultaneous simplicity and complexity of the work. It sounds like a never-ending melody.
I find it so hard to believe that people say that Bach is boring. How can music so beautiful POSSIBLY bore anyone?"

We continue this week with a fun summer children's poem by
Robert Louis Stevenson from A Child's Garden of Verses.

At the Seaside

When I was down beside the sea
A wooden spade they gave to me
to dig the sandy shore.

My holes were empty like a cup.
In every hole the sea came up,
Till it could come no more.

The Fountain - Beauguereau, St. Matthew's Passion - Bach, My Shadow - Robert Louis Stevenson

2011-07-29T17:57:00.000-07:00

At the Fountain - William Adolphe Beauguereau

The following is a link to a short article on William Beauguereau and his painting. http://www.goodart.org/artofwb.htm Again a reminder that caution should be used in researching this artist as many of his works are nudes.

Johann Sebastian Bach's St. Matthew's Passion as it suggests is based on the story of Jesus' death as recorded by Matthew. It was written in German but you can click the link below for a translation into English. I like to print the words to follow in English as I listen to the music. It fittingly has a hauntingly sad sound.
http://www.choral-society.org/resources/2005_06/St_Matthew_text.pdf
The following link is the beginning of an 8 part version of this work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhPOJ_l4UU8&feature=bf_prev&list=PLC8DFDB137F3B65CC&index=1

My Shadow
BY ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,

And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.

He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;

And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed.

The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow—

Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow;

For he sometimes shoots up taller like an india-rubber ball,

And he sometimes gets so little that there's none of him at all.

He hasn't got a notion of how children ought to play,

And can only make a fool of me in every sort of way.

He stays so close beside me, he's a coward you can see;

I'd think shame to stick to nursie as that shadow sticks to me!

One morning, very early, before the sun was up,

I rose and found the shining dew on every buttercup;

But my lazy little shadow, like an errant sleepy-head,

Had stayed at home behind me and was fast asleep in bed.

The Nut Gatherers William Bouguereau,

2011-07-25T09:18:00.000-07:00

I'm very sorry for the delay in posting - I spent most of last week visiting my grandbabies and didn't have computer access. Blessings on your week. Patti

I discovered William Bouguereau by when I was browsing through some paintings online and I was immediately drawn to the innocence that he portrays in his paintings of children and young women. His paintings are very lifelike. I hope you will enjoy them. (Note: please be careful in researching this artist - many of his works are female nudes so most sites display these paintings).

"Each day I go to my studio full of joy; in the evening when obliged to stop because of darkness I can scarcely wait for the morning to come...My work is not only a pleasure, it has become a necessity. No matter how many other things I have in my life, if I cannot give myself to my dear painting I am miserable." --William Bouguereau

The Nut Gatherers by William Bouguereau

This link has a magnifying lense capability for viewing this painting:

http://www.dia.org/object-info/2d7edad7-ef64-461f-8c1c-ee02475ecb81.aspx

Johann Sebastian Bach wrote Golden Variations. Wikipedia has this to say about it: "The Goldberg Variations (BWV 988), an aria with thirty variations. The collection has a complex and unconventional structure: the variations build on the bass line of the aria, rather than its melody, and musical canons are interpolated according to a grand plan. There are nine canons within the 30 variations, one placed every three variations between variations 3 and 27. These variations move in order from canon at the unison to canon at the ninth. The first eight are in pairs (unison and octave, second and seventh, third and sixth, fourth and fifth). The ninth canon stands on its own due to compositional dissimilarities."

You can listen to the first few on the following links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuIp04pnCa0&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvmC7ecYqq8&feature=fvwrel

Another poem this week by Robert Louis Stevenson:

The Sun Travels
The sun is not a-bed, when I
At night upon my pillow lie;
Still round the earth his way he takes,
And morning after morning makes.
While here at home, in shining day,
We round the sunny garden play,
Each little Indian sleepy-head
Is being kissed and put to bed.
And when at eve I rise from tea,
Day dawns beyond the Atlantic Sea;
And all the children in the west
Are getting up and being dressed.

Thomas Cole - Home in the Woods, Johann Sebastian Bach - Patitas, and Robert Louis Stevenson - The Swing

2011-07-15T09:46:00.000-07:00

Thomas Cole has many wonderful and varied paintings but we will end with a quiet scene of a cabin by a lake with a beautiful mountain and sky in the background.

In Case you haven't yet taken time to explore the site dedicated to Thomas Cole this would be a good time as this will be our last post of his works at least for now. This site has many interesting things including biographical information, a virtual tour of his paintings and a video showing his home and the area he loved to paint in the Catskill Mountains. http://www.explorethomascole.org/

Johann Sebastian Bach's Partitas are a set of six keyboard suites. You can listen to it in three parts on the following links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHKYnO4YRiQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB1KF7FeJow&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmInR-VqqWk
and if you want more technical information written on this music http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partitas,_BWV_825-830

A favorite poem of mine by Robert Louis Stevenson from A Child's Garden of Verses is The Swing. I often quote it to my little ones while I push them on the swing.

The Swing

How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
River and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside --

Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown --
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!

Thomas Cole-The Course of Empire: Desolation, Johann Sebastian Bach - Brandenburg Concerto, and Robert Louis Stevenson - Bed in Summer

2011-07-06T16:10:00.000-07:00

Thomas Cole: The Course of Empire - Desolation

This is the final painting in Thomas Cole's series - The Course of Empire. It is titled "Desolation". Note the time of day - the paintings have followed the course of a day beginning with sunrise and now ending with night and the moon rising. Compare this painting with last weeks and the week before noting details of the changes that have taken place. In many ways this scene is again peaceful even with the remains of a decaying civilization. This is the only painting of the five that doesn't have any people in it (at least none that I could see). You can view the painting below or click on this link to view a copy with zoom capability: http://www.explorethomascole.org/tour/items/71

I'd like to introduce a new musician this week.

Johann Sebastian Bach is perhaps the best known composer of all time. For a biographical article of his life click the following link: http://www.baroquemusic.org/bqxjsbach.html or view Wikipedia's entry on Bach here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Sebastian_Bach

Today's musical selection is one of his Brandenburg Concerto's. Read about this musical work here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandenburg_Concertos

and listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ9qWpa2rIg&feature=related

A Child's Garden of Verses is one of my favorite children's books of poetry. Robert Louis Stevenson wrote wonderful poetry reflecting a child's view of the world. Read about him at the following link. We'll be enjoying some of his poetry over the next few weeks. http://www.robert-louis-stevenson.org/life

Bed in Summer
In winter I get up at night
And dress by yellow candle-light.
In summer quite the other way,
I have to go to bed by day.

I have to go to bed and see
The birds still hopping on the tree,
Or hear the grown-up people's feet
Still going past me in the street.

And does it not seem hard to you,
When all the sky is clear and blue,
And I should like so much to play,
To have to go to bed by day?

Thomas Cole - The Course of Empire: Destruction,

2011-06-30T15:37:00.000-07:00

The Fourth painting in Thomas Cole's series, "The Course of Empire" is Destruction. Note the weather and the time of day. There are many details to study as well as the emotional impact of the picture. What do you think Thomas Cole thought of civilization? You can view the painting below or click on the following link to view it with zoom capability. http://www.explorethomascole.org/tour/items/69

The Course of Empire: Destruction by Thomas Cole

You can find information about all five paintings at the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Course_of_Empire#Destruction

I'm not usually a big fan of organ music but this toccata by
Johann Pachelbel is beautiful and it's fun to watch the organists fingers fly as he plays this complicated piece.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGL4Q6qv6Dk

Another poem this week by Thomas Miller, Spring Walk. Those of you who enjoy nature walks will appreciate this poem.

THOMAS MILLER

England, 1807-1874

The Spring Walk

We had a pleasant walk to-day
Over the meadows and far away,
Across the bridge by the water-mill,
By the woodside and up the hill;
And if you listen to what I say,5
I'll tell you what we saw to-day.

Amid a hedge, where the first leaves
Were peeping from their sheathes so sly,
We saw four eggs within a nest,
And they were blue as a summer sky.10

An elder branch dipped in the brook;
We wondered why it moved, and found
A silken-haired smooth water-rat
Nibbling, and swimming round and round.

Where daisies open'd to the sun,15
[19]In a broad meadow, green and white,
The lambs were racing eagerly—
We never saw a prettier sight.

We saw upon the shady banks
Long rows of golden flowers shine,
And first mistook for buttercups 5
The star-shaped yellow celandine.

Anemones and primroses,
And the blue violets of spring,
We found, while listening by a hedge
To hear a merry plowman sing. 10

And from the earth the plow turned up
There came a sweet, refreshing smell,
Such as the lily of the vale
Sends forth from many a woodland dell.

And leaning from the old stone bridge, 15
Below, we saw our shadows lie;
And through the gloomy arches watched
The swift and fearless swallows fly.

We heard the speckle-breasted lark
[20]As it sang somewhere out of sight, 20
And tried to find it, but the sky
Was filled with clouds of dazzling light.

We saw young rabbits near the woods
And heard the pheasant's wings go "whir";
And then we saw a squirrel leap 5
From an old oak tree to a fir.

We came back by the village fields,
A pleasant walk it was across 'em,
For all behind the houses lay
The orchards red and white with blossom. 10

Were I to tell you all we saw,
I'm sure that it would take me hours;
For the whole landscape was alive
With bees, and birds, and buds, and flowers.

Thomas Cole - The Course of Empire: Consumation, Hexachordum Apollinis - Pachelbel, Resurrection by John Donne, and Evening by Thomas Miller

2011-06-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

This week we look at the third painting in Thomas Cole's series: The Course of Empire - Consumation of Empire. View below or click this link to view a copy with zoom capability: http://www.explorethomascole.org/tour/items/67

The Course of Empire: Consumation of Empire

The following link has interesting information on this series of paintings: http://www.explorethomascole.org/tour/items/69/series/

I'd like to share another lovely piece of music by Johann Pachelbel this week titled "Hexachordum Apollinis". It is played on the clavichord: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzRQ1RxF_fc
and if you enjoyed that you can listen to the next section here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhKGAf35rLk&NR=1

John Donne

Resurrection
Moist with one drop of thy blood, my dry soul
Shall (though she now be in extreme degree
Too stony hard, and yet too fleshly,) be
Freed by that drop, from being starved, hard, or foul,
And life, by this death abled, shall control
Death, whom thy death slew; nor shall to me
Fear of first or last death, bring misery
If in thy little book my name thou enrol,
Flesh in that long sleep is not putrified,
But made that there, of which, and for which 'twas;
Nor can by other means be glorified.
May then sins sleep, and deaths soon from me pass,
That waked from both, I again risen may
Salute the last, and everlasting day.

and a poem I enjoyed with my youngest son, John this morning...
"Evening" by Thomas Miller

Evening

The day is past, the sun is set,
And the white stars are in the sky;
While the long grass with dew is wet,
And through the air the bats now fly.

The lambs have now lain down to sleep,
The birds have long since sought their nests;
The air is still; and dark, and deep
On the hill side the old wood rests.

Yet of the dark I have no fear,
But feel as safe as when 'tis light;
For I know God is with me there,
And He will guard me through the night.

For God is by me when I pray,
And when I close mine eyes to sleep,
I know that He will with me stay,
And will all night watch by me keep.

For He who rules the stars and sea,
Who makes the grass and trees to grow.
Will look on a poor child like me,
When on my knees I to Him bow.

He holds all things in His right hand,
The rich, the poor, the great, the small;
When we sleep, or sit, or stand,
He is with us, for He loves us all.

The Course of Empire: The Pastoral State; Pachelbel Fantasia in D Minor; and John Donne - Crucifying

2011-06-16T18:40:00.000-07:00

The second painting in Thomas Cole's series, "The Course of Empire" is The Pastoral State. You can find more information about it and a zoom capability at the link below:

Thomas Cole: The Course of Empire - The Arcadian or Pastoral State

http://www.explorethomascole.org/gallery/items/65

We continue this week with a biographical sketch of Johann Pachelbel and another piece of his music. It is interesting to note that Johann Pachelbel taught Johann Sebastian Bach when he was a young child. The following link has a biographical sketch of Johann Pachelbel - http://www.pachelbel.us/
Our musical selection for this week is Fantasia in D Minor. You can listen to it performed at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH1PVCkDdr8&feature=related

John Donne is a complicated poet and the beauty of his words and ideas may be lost on small children, but adults and older children can enjoy his rich use of words and ideas.

Crucifying
By miracles exceeding power of man,
He faith in some, envy in some begat,
For, what weak spirits admire, ambitious, hate;
In both affections many to him ran,
But Oh! the worst are most, they will and can,
Alas, and do, unto the immaculate,
Whose creature fate is, now prescribe a fate,
Measuring self-life's infinity to a span,
Nay to an inch. Lo, where condemned he
Bears his own cross, with pain, yet by and by,
When it bears him, he must bear more and die,
Now thou art lifted up, draw me to thee,
And at thy death giving such liberal dole,
Moist, with one drop of thy blood, my dry soul.

John Donne http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/243

Johann Pachelbel, Thomas Cole's The Course of Empire - The Savage State, and John Donne - Death Be Not Proud

2011-06-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

I would like to continue with another series of Thomas Cole's paintings called, The Course of Empire. The first painting is called "The Savage State". You can learn more about it and view an enlarged version with zoom capability on the following link: http://www.explorethomascole.org/tour/items/63/words

The Course of Empire: The Savage State by Thomas Cole

We are going to begin exploring a new composer this week, Johann Pachelbel. The only piece of his I am familiar with yet is one of my favorite pieces of classical music - Canon in D. As I've researched a bit I found that he has other pieces and we will explore some of these in the coming weeks. You can learn more about Johann Pachelbel and Canon in D on the following two links :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Pachelbel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachelbel%27s_Canon

Listen to it performed on the You Tube links below. The first is performed with the original instrumentation, the second is piano and the third, guitar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvNQLJ1_HQ0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1kGJoGVpOs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4Sh9cKEDH0

Our new poet is John Donne. As my dad was passing to glory this week, Mom quoted from one of his poems, Death Be Not Proud, and I chose it for this week's poem. We will look into other poems of his in the weeks to come. You can find interesting information on his life and writings on the following link: http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/donne/

Death Be Not Proud
Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more, death, thou shalt die.

Handel's - The Harmonious Blacksmith and Thomas Cole's - The Voyage of Life: Old Age

2011-05-25T19:22:00.000-07:00

My apologies for a technical error that caused this blog not to be sent to those of you who have subscribed. If you missed anything you may have to go back a few posts. I think it is fixed now. Sorry for the inconvenience.

George Frideric Handel's The Harmonious Blacksmith is our piece of music for this week. View it on either link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXeHd7Ovgjo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctclq4unio0&feature=related

For More information on the composer George Friederic Handel use the following link: http://www.baroquemusic.org/bqxhandel.html

This week we look at Thomas Cole's "The Voyage of Life: Old Age" it is the fourth in a four part series with both a painting and a poem that correspond.

The Voyage of Life: Old Age by Thomas Cole

For more information on Thomas Cole use the following link: http://www.thomascole.org/

The Voyage of Life

4. Part Four

Struck by my Mentor's serious reply
In sorrow I had clasped my hoods across
My tearful eyes; yet were my tears half joy;
For the quick sentence of rebuke did close
With breath of kindling hope and promise bright;
As broke upon the blind by Siloam's pool of light.

“Behold!” the voice then said: “The closing scene
Of best humanity.” The winds had ceased
Their raving and the floods their roar—serene
The air yet steeped in gloom as is the East
When Earth's broad shadow o'er itself extends
And far beneath the Main the evening sun descends.

No hills of green, no gentle flowery vales
No breezes fresh from out the crystal deeps
No blithe birds warbling oft repeated tales;
But silence, leaden silence, such as keeps
The tongue fast bound the straining ear awakes
As when the judge's sentence on the prisoner breaks.

There, flowed the river; but with sluggish pace
And met and mingled with the Ocean dun
No more exulting in the headlong race;
But fainting as its destined Goal was won—
Last 'mid the boundless, as the single voice
When crowded multitudes do suffer; or rejoice.

Still the eye caught the dim and shadowy shore,
The last bare headlands of the dark terrene;
Herbless, desolate, glimmering and obscure;
As landscape by the troubled dreamer seen,
Their shattered forms down sinking one by one
Into the deep of many deeps, the fathomless unknown.

Oppressed I gazed: my thick and struggling sighs
Or checked by the silence would have filled the air;
But soon the winged Boat my eager eyes
Discerned—the Man—the Tempest-tossed was there.
O'er the unrippled flood with motion slow
As heavy laden, sinking—sinking moved the prow.

Broken that prow which once glanced o'er the stream;
Its Hours ensculptured all in gold were gone,
And gushed the floods through many a gaping seam:
It stopped,—it settled—like a thing of stone:—
Some ponderous rock that 'cross the plain is sent;
Which labors on and on 'till with its labor spent.

There sat the Voyager, an ancient Man,
Withered and blighted by the frosts of time:
Furrowed his cheek, his forehead bare and wan
As though the tempests of each earthly clime
Had broken o'er him in their fiercest mood
And he with patient soul their fury had withstood.

Then as the fulgent moon o'er ocean comes,
Spreading her wings of light at eventide,
I saw the Guardian's radiant flames
Hush the black midnight wave and swiftly glide
Through the illumined, fast dissolving wrack
And by the Voyager her airy station take.

The Old man saw the Spirit for the earth
Was falling from his soul and from his eyes
The film of blinding clay as falls the swarth
Envelope from the opening bud. Surprise!
O blest! To see, undreaming, spirit forms
Immaculate and free from all that earth deforms.

He saw the blessed Guardian of his way
And knew “his Angel”; ne'er before discerned;
And love and new-born joy broke in like day
Upon his heaven-illumined soul. He turned
To gaze upon the beauteous one, when lo!
As from the clouds strange music 'gan to flow.

Music it was, if thus is named in heaven
Those mingled gushes of Seraphic bliss
Which flowed like sunlight of the Spring-tide given
In beamy gold to wake the wilderness;
Or like the hymning of some circling band
Of joyous stars just sped from their Creator's hand.

Gently swelling, gently falling
Softer, sweeter yet it grows;
As when Summer's breeze is calling
Fragrance from the dewy rose.
Yes far sweeter and more thrilling
Were the soulèd sounds that fell,
All the airy concave filling
And the heart's most secret cell.
Tuneful breathings—voicèd hymning
Joined with harps of golden sound
Fill the spherèd concave brimming—
Shed rich harmony around.
Now the Trumpet's crystal voice
Lifteth up its notes of joy
Calling to the saved “Rejoice!
Enter through Heaven's portal high.”
Back the murky clouds are driven
As the blackness of the sky
By the morning sun is riven

Angels! Angels! Blessed creatures!
Toward the Voyager descend;
Turn on him their holy features
Lit by joy that ne'er can end;
Down the streamy light they sweep
Round him wave their dazzling wings;
Lift him gently from the deep
Whisper to him wondrous things.
Swift he rises—Earth has left him
With its painful load of clay;—
Death or grief and sin hath reft him
And he soars—away!—away!

I turned mine eyes; I could no longer gaze
Upon the Splendour, which intenser grew
And live; To my relief a dimming haze
Dropt like a curtain dark and shut the view;
But 'neath the weight of Glory which had shone
Upon the Earth's low bosom prostrate I was thrown.

There long I lay mingling my sighs and tears
Recalling all the Vision to my mind,
Its varied scenes, its many hopes and fears
Its seasons four mysteriously combined,
How through bright Childhood's vale the river flowed
Youth, Manhood, Age, to reach the mighty flood.

But my soul spoke and roused me—“Rise
Dwell not inactive on the Vision true
Remember that Life's River swiftly hies
Toward the great Deep and thou hast much to do:
The Vision teaches when divined aright
That he must trust in God and strike, who conquers in the fight.”

Catskill June 14, 1844

This poem was taken from the following link and can be viewed in its entirety there. http://xtf.lib.virginia.edu/xtf/view?docId=chadwyck_ap/uvaGenText/tei/chap_AM1181.xml;chunk.id=d90;toc.depth=1;toc.id=d90;brand=default

Water Music Suite No. 2 by George Friederic Handel and The Voyage of Life: Manhood by Thomas Cole

2011-05-19T21:29:00.000-07:00

George Frideric Handel
This week's piece, Water Music Suite No. 2 can be viewed below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obanYKEU2sc&feature=related

We continue this week with the third painting in a series of four by
Thomas Cole titled, "The Voyage of Life: Manhood"

The Voyage of Life: Manhood by Thomas Cole

Information on Thomas Cole can be found at the following link: http://www.thomascole.org/biography-of-thomas-cole/

This week's poem is the third part of Thomas Cole's poem also titled "The Voyage of Life". This part of the poem corresponds to the above painting.

3. The Voyage of Life: Manhood (Part Three)

Those closing accents fell upon my ear
Sweetly as dew upon the drooping flower
For in my thoughts were knit suspense and fear
Which grew to hope transmuted by their power,
So the first breeze of Spring upon the hills
With sighs awakes the buds and frees the ice-bound rills.

In gentle reverie my mind reposed
When lo! The vision changed—A dismal vale—
Its sides down stooping into night were bossed
With jagged rocks—above huge crags rose pale
And quivering in thick turbulent air
Like hell-affrighted spectres starting from their lair.

It seemed the Earthquake there had oped his jaws
And fierce Convulsion rent the ribs of Earth;
Darkness and light forgot their ancient laws.
It was a den where demons had their birth
Where voices strange and many a dusky form
Smote the strained ear and did the sky deform.

And down this valley's gulphy depths profound;
Where resting place is none; nor green retreat;
Where fear and death forever hover round,
On every blast their restless pinions beat;
The river of my Vision took its way
And left far, far behind the golden light of day.

Onward it dashed and with a tyrannic force
Swept o'er the fractured rocks and foamed and fell
And reeled from side to side with thunders hoarse:
Though broken off and baffled naught could quell:—
Athwart the steep the streaming floods did pour
And rocky fragments fell, dislodged amid the roar.

On a swift curve, a verge of glossy green,
Such Niagaras where its waters leap
The dizzy precipice, the Boat was seen
Fleet as a meteor thwart the midnight deep.
Like famished wolves when the scared prey is nigh,
The pale demoniac floods roared louder as for joy.

No more youth's sunshine like a halo spread
Around the Voyager's high imperial brow;
But Care's wan shadow settled on his head
As clouds their gloom upon the mountain throw.
His now the middle age when human thought
Ascends her highest tower with rich experience fraught.

So have we seen in some dense city's way
A frantic steed dash through the affrighted crowd
With his pale rider—to and fro they sway
With headlong speed mid shrieks and clamor loud
'Till by a sudden plunge he disappears.—
In dumb suspense we stand and quake with horrid fears.

“What now can save?” I cried. O ever blind
But to the present and the mask of things
Was quick replied: “Doubter! Thou yet mayest find
That what appears the greatest evil brings
Supremest good as blackest storms and rain
Bring freshness, beauty, glory in their passing train.

“Behold the Guardian Angel sitteth yet
Benignant 'mong the stormy clouds aloft
Kindling their blackness; like a Glory set
By God in midnight space—A sun whose soft
Unbroken light illumes some lonely sphere
That travelleth through depths of trackless ether drear.

“She waits with joy the prayer which heavenward now
The Voyager uplifts—Faith's earnest cry:
For rescued by that act the floods below
With all their fury; nor the tempest nigh;
Nor ocean, seen afar have power to harm;
Nor yet yon Demon Shapes terrific cause alarm.

“This is the crisis—this the decisive hour
In life's swift fever—balance Life and Death.
Adversity's cold storm and Sorrow's power
Temptation desperate with changeful breath
Break with unmitigated fury on the Man,
And Pleasure once so fair is sicklied o'er and wan.

“And earthly hopes are wrecked and cherished joy;
And friends estranged; or turned to foes; or gone
Youth's crown of Glory faded and for aye:
O'er Earth o'er Heaven a dusky pall is thrown:
Affection's treasured things are found to fly
Sink in the silent tomb, or vanish witheringly.

“Young Love's delicious river soon ran dry
And wasted in life's wilderness of drought;
Ambition that once filled the ample sky
Was but a dazzling cloud with tempest fraught:
All, perished in the World or lost in Death
As wastes in frosty air the warm and vaporous breath.

“The heart doth suffer violence, racked and riven
By the relentless blasts of earthly ill.
Burthened with sin all vainly hath it striven
Like a huge oak upon a wind-swept hill
As tortured branches lash the Autumnal gale
And struggling yield their umbrage with a lengthened wail.

“But as the Spring, the gentle Spring, draws nigh
To warm its mighty heart and swell its buds
To lift its fragrance and to beautify;
So through the Voyager's breast, amid these floods,
A living warmth shall steal and prayer shall rise
And yon attendant Spirit waft it to the skies.

“The Guardian watches yet the weltering bark
O'er the vexed floods adown the dizzy steep
Through rock-ribbed channels hideous and dark
Safely to guide him toward yon Ocean deep
Whose darkly boundless waves eternal silence keep.”

My Teacher! Guide! Thou who hast kindly read

The meaning of these wondrous scenes to me
Still my heart trembles, like a fragile reed
By the lone shore where stamps the angry sea,
This is a fearful-over-perilous way
To lead but to yon Ocean's misty horror gray.

And must the Voyager, these perils past
Dwell ever on that vast and gloomy main,
And on its lethean bosom dull be cast,
Dreamless, eternally to sleep? Then vain
Would seem his Birth, his Youth, his Manhood prime;
Strange, useless burthens on the drooping Wings of Time.

“Yet! Yet distrustful and forgetful ever
Dull to the voice of wisdom! I have said,
Death's pallid hand the cloudy veil shall sever
And wonder Ocean widely, darkly spread,
Be as a curtain quickly drawn away
And open like the Morn for a surpassing day.”

This poem was taken from and can be read in its entirety at the following link: http://xtf.lib.virginia.edu/xtf/view?docId=chadwyck_ap/uvaGenText/tei/chap_AM1181.xml;chunk.id=d90;toc.depth=1;toc.id=d90;brand=default

The Voyage of Life - Youth, Handel's Keyboard Suite in D Minor

2011-05-14T11:36:00.000-07:00

George Frideric Handel's work, Keyboard Suite in D minor is today's piece of music. You can listen to all three parts on the following links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZeGjnrlCNk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX3r4wzFums
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf7Ws6YX83E

There is a bit of information about this piece on the following link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_suite_in_D_minor_(HWV_437)

You can read a biographical sketch of George Frideric Handel at this link: http://www.8notes.com/school/history/handel.asp

Thomas Cole's work "The Voyage of Life - Youth" is this weeks painting and corresponding poem. This is the second in a series of four paintings and the second in a four-part poem. For more information about Thomas Cole check out the following link: http://www.thomascole.org/biography-of-thomas-cole/

The Voyage of Life: Youth by Thomas Cole

The Voyage of Life (part 2)

As the broad mountain where the shadows flit
Of clouds dispersing in the summer-breeze;
Or like the eye of one who high does sit
On Taormina's antique height and sees
The fiery Mount afar, the Ruin near at hand,
The flowers, the purple waves that wash the golden strand.

So changed my thought from light to shade;
At times exulting in the glow of hope, at times
In darkness cast by what my soul had said;
'Till sunk in reverie her words seemed chimes
From some far tower, that tell of mystial joy,
Or knell that fills the air as with a lingering sigh.

Again I raised my downcast eyes to look
Upon the scene so beautiful when lo!
The stream no longer from the cavern took
Its gentle way 'tween flowery banks and low
But through a landscape varied, rich and vast
Beneath a sky that dusky cloud had surely never passed.

Wide was the river; with majestic flow
And pomp and power it swept the curving banks
Like some great conqueror whose march is slow
Through tributary lands; while the abasèd ranks,
Shrinking give back on either hand o'erawed
As though they trembling felt the presence of a God.

And like some Wizard's mirror, that displays
The Macrocosm, it did reflect the sky,
Rocks, lawns and mountains with their purple haze,
And living things, the filmy butterfly,
The trembling fawn that drinks, the fluttering dove
And the triumphant eagle soaring far above.

And trees like those which spread their pleasant shade
O'er the green slopes of Eden, and the bowers
Of the once sinless pair, soft, intermingling made
Stood on each shore with branches lifted high
And caught eolian strains that wandered from the sky.

Far, far away the shining river sped
Toward the etherial mountains which did close
Fold beyond fold until they vanished
In the horizon's silver, whence uprose
A structure strangely beautiful and vast
Which every earthly fane Egyptian, Gothic, Greek, surpassed.

It seemed a gorgeous palace in the sky
Such as the glad sun builds above the deep
On summer-eve and lighteth dazzlingly,
Where towering clouds climb up the azure steep
And pinnacles on pinnacles fantastic rise
And ever-changing charm the wondering eyes.

There, rank o'er rank that climbed the crystal air
In horizontal majesty, were crossed
The multitudinous shafts, or ranged afar
Till in the blue perspective they were lost,
And arches linked with arches stretched along
Like to the mystic measures of an antique song.

An antique song whose half-discovered sense
Seems to spring forth from depths, as yet, unknown
And fills the heart with wonder and suspense
Until to thrilling rapture it is grown;
Breathless we listen to each wandering strain
And when the numbers cease, we listen still again.

Above the columned pile sublimely rose
A Dome stupendous; like the moon it shone
When first upon the orient sky she glows
And moves along the Ocean's verge alone;
And yet beyond, above, another sphere
And yet another, vaster, dimly did appear.

As though the blue supernal space were filled
With towers and temples, which the eye intent
Piercing the filmy atmosphere that veiled,
From glorious dome to dome rejoicing went,
And the deep folds of ether were unfurled
To show the splendors of a higher world.

But from the vision of the upper air
My eye descended to the lucid stream;
The wingèd Boat—the Voyagers were there;
But the fair Infant of my earlier dream
Now stood a Youth on manhood's verge, his eye
Flashing with confidence and hot expectancy.

Was lifted toward the sky-encastled scene,
His hand had grasped the helm once gently held
By that Angelic figure so serene,
And eager stretching toward the scene beheld,
His bosom heaved as if with secret powers
Possessed to tread the deep—to outstrip the flying Hours.

With face benignant yet impinged with sorrow,
As oft the sky of eve by melancholy cloud
Which though it doth forbode a stormy morrow
Is not less beautiful, the Angel stood
Upon the bank as from the Boat just freed
And waved her graceful hand and bade the Youth “God Speed.”

As one emerging from some misty vale
Meets the glad splendor of the rising sun;
Or mariner who the wintry sea doth sail
Through opening wrack beholds the harbor won,
So did I gaze upon the charming scene
And in my joy forgot the vision Infantine.

When thus the Voice in plantive accents mild:
“Ah simple mortal Earth has many a show
That passes quickly—thou a credulous child,
All men are children and they thoughtless go
Through life's strange vale lingering by every flower
Forgetful life is labor and its term an hour.

“The scene before thee beautiful and bright
Is but a phantasm of Youth's heated brain
And doomed to fade as day before the night;
Fleeting its glory, transitory, vain;
Save that it teaches the meek humble soul
Earth's grandeur ne'er should be the spirit's Goal.

“Not that the earth foundationless is laid,
An unsubstantial thing, a cloud, a mist;
But 'tis a darkling soil wherein the seed
Of Virtue planted, tended may subsist
And washed by many tears may grow
To more enduring beauty than these gauds below.

“But mark the Youth, how filled his eager eye
With the bright exaltation.—See! he aims
To reach the portal of the palace high
Above whose cloudy arch resplendant flames
The tempting semblance of a conqueror's crown
And wreath to bind the brows of him who wins renown.

“And while he gazes greater glories rise
Higher yet higher; ardent young desire
With telescopic vision fills the skies.
Gay are the banks in verdurous attire
And swift the river floweth toward his hope
The palace stands beyond, reached by a gentle slope.

“Weak and deluded one! Dost thou not know
Thy Bark is hasting down the Stream of Life
And tarries not for any golden show
In pleasure's gardens though with beauty rife!
So doth the comet pass the planets by
Nor rests; but speeds on its appointed destiny.

“Does not thine eye perceive that when yon towers
Are well nigh gained with sudden sweep the stream,
And growing swiftness, shoots away and pours
Impetuous, towards a shadowy ravine deep
Cleft in the mountain's vast and misty side
As though it eager sought its thwarted floods to hide.”

The voice had paused: “And is it thus” I cried,
“That Youth's fond hopes must ever pass away;
As empty dreams, untouched unsatisfied:
Why leaves the Angel on his dangerous way
The Voyager? That hand divine could steer
The willing Boat to where yon glittering domes uprear.

“And lingering by these fresh and verdant shores
E'en youth might live a long long life of joy
And shun perchance the torrent where it pours
Adown yon dread descent.” To which reply
Came quickly, “Shrouded as now thou art in earth
Thou canst not see the end for which came mortal birth.

“In the Almighty mind the secret cause is laid;
This must thou learn, that our brief mortal life
Nor rests nor lingers; nor is checked nor stayed
By human skill or might howe'er so rife;
Nor is it in an Angel's godlike power
To lengthen out its wasting thread one single hour.

“Through feeble Infancy is steered the Bark of Life
By Angel hands; but growing man demands
The helm in confidence and dares the strife
Of the far-sweeping waves. The lurking sands,
The rapids foaming through the channel dim,
The roaring cataract are all unknown to him.

“Wisdom is born of sorrow and of care
And from man's conflicts with the world arise
A sense of weakness and of chilling fear
And driven from earth his hopes ascend the skies.
Thus is he launched upon the stream alone
To chasten pride and give young desire a holier tone.

“He is alone; but still deserted never
The Angel yet shall watch his perilous way;
And though the clouds of earth may seem to sever,
Still through the darkness shines the Angelic ray;
And in the hour of midnight o'er the deep
The Guardian Spirit kind will constant vigil keep.”

This poem is from the following link and can be read in its totality there: http://xtf.lib.virginia.edu/xtf/view?docId=chadwyck_ap/uvaGenText/tei/chap_AM1181.xml;chunk.id=d90;toc.depth=1;toc.id=d90;brand=default