Music at St. John's in McLean for Palm Sunday

Music is the silence between the notes.
~ Claude Debussy

Here is the upcoming schedule of music we are singing at St. John’s on Palm Sunday:

Palm Sunday (cycle C) April 1, 2007
Prelude - Hosanna Filio David
Blessing of Palm Branches - Pueri Hebreaorum
Processional - Gloria, Laus, et Honor Tibi Sit
Opening - All Glory, Laud, and Honor
Gradual - Christus Factus Est – J. M. Haydn
Offertory - Adoramus Te Christe – T. Dubois
Offertorium / Solo: Vidit Suum Dulcem … – G. Pergolesi
Communion - Were You There / Communio/Duet: Inflammatus Et Accensus – G. Pergolesi
Recessional - Silence

Hope you can join us for a little foretaste of Heaven! ;-)

Oremus pro invicem,
Mikaela

A River of Fado

Music is the river that runs through my veins…
~ Mikaela D’Deigh

Friday night was absolutely incredible. A few friends and I went to hear Mariza at the Kennedy Center. For those who are not yet devotees of this incredible music, Mariza is one of Portugal’s top fadistas and after hearing her perform Friday night, I understand why.

Dulce Pontes’ renditions of fado were my first introduction to this hauntingly sad style of music. And she is still my favorite. But Mariza’s style is every bit as mesmerizing ~ it calls out to something deep in your soul and practically rips it out and you are completely entregado, given over to it.

She sang for a full an hour and a half, we gave her four standing ovations and her encore lasted longer than any encore I have ever heard, but I wanted her to keep singing. One of the pieces she sang as an encore was Summertime and I have never heard it sung with such passion and beauty. And it was the perfect song to for her sing: her interpretation of it illustrated the similarity between fado and American blues. I only wish I could have a recording of her performance of it. It was breath-taking.

So now you are kicking yourself and wishing you had been there Friday night. Not to worry! Dulce Pontes will be performing in May in Maryland. Maybe we will see each other there ~ I will be the one listening and not breathing until the last note dies away. ;-)

Oremus pro invicem,
Mikaela

How Can I Keep from Singing?

It's the way we sing that makes 'em dream.
~ Ed Kowalczyk

As some of my readers know, I sing in a church choir made up primarily of professional singers. Sometimes I forget to tell people what our upcoming “playlist” is and some of you have expressed an interest in knowing ahead of time so that you can plan to be with us at Saint John’s in McLean. A few weeks ago, we sang Arvo Pärt’s Beatitudes and I did not let people know in time to arrange their schedules. So I am going to begin posting our upcoming pieces and dates.

Last week, we sang the Missa de Angelis, which in itself is a beautiful and traditional Mass setting. In addition, however, we sang Tallis’ O Nata Lux and Gluck’s De Profundis ~ which has become a personal favorite of mine. It is dark and melancholic and breath-taking. Those deep notes really do something to the soul!

March 11, 2007 – 12 Noon
Missa ~ Claudio Monteverdi
Motets ~ Exaudi Deus, O. di Lasso and Miserere Dei, A. Lotti

I am so blessed and humbled to be working with such gifted people. Thank you, Dah-vid! :-)

Oremus pro invicem,
Mikaela

American Inklings: March 9 @ 7:00pm

The beautiful part of writing is that you don't have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon.
~ Robert Cromier

The American Inklings will meet again this coming Friday, March 9, 2007 at 7:00 pm at La Madeleine next to Reston Towne Center.

At our last meeting, we did not assign any new exercises. Rather, we were to continue developing our stories and / or any other works in progress. I confess I have not even looked at much less touched my story. For shame! I did however, write and submit two new poems to Dappled Things, which were rejected. :-( Hence, my contribution to Friday’s meeting will be more asking how to become a better writer and editor of my own work.

I already know the answer. For one, I need to write more. Even if it is nonsense or a stream of consciousness on a page. Just write. And pretty soon, something real and substantial will appear. Or perhaps not. But it will clear the cobwebs and get the brain warmed up. The second thing I need to do more of is read. For now matter how fertile my imagination, it will not remain so without a good tilling by other, much better writers. My best poems or stories have come out of being inspired by other writers, other stories. There is nothing like a great phrase or quote that pierces your soul and opens it up to whole new way of thinking or feeling that you can then turn into a new poem or the beginnings of a new story.

I look forward to seeing everyone Friday night and being inspired.

Oremus pro invicem,
Mikaela