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

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

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

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

"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

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

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

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.