Check out this quote...
"I have heard it said, 'God didn't die for frogs. So he was responding to our value as humans.' This turns grace on its head. We are worse off than frogs. They have not sinned. They have not rebelled and treated God with the contempt of being inconsequential in their lives. God did not have to die for frogs. They aren't bad enough. We are. Our debt is so great, only a divine sacrifice could pay for it."
- John Piper, The Passion of Jesus Christ
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
CAR-meen-uh
Last week. Where did it go? It was quite a blur.
Last week was our performance of Carmina Burana... with the Tulsa Ballet and the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra. It was a crazy collection of groups and performers, and it came together quite nicely. But, it made for a demanding schedule... practices or performances every night from the 18th through the 25th. Plus... work has been crazy as The Gathering has been preparing for its move to a rented facility.
EXCERPTS FROM THE TULSA WORLD...
Ballet shines in golden performance
By JAMES D. WATTS JR.
World Scene Writer
9/25/2006
Even more important was that this production showed what Tulsa as a whole is capable of when it comes to the performing arts. While this was Tulsa Ballet's season opener, it was also a collaborative effort among the dance company, the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, the Tulsa Oratorio Chorus and the Tulsa Children's Chorus. That's what is needed to present something like "Carmina Burana," which Cong set to Carl Orff's massive "dramatic cantata." It's usually presented strictly as a work for chorus and orchestra, but Orff envisioned the piece as multi-discipline extravaganza, combining instrumental and vocal music with movement and theater.
A number of choreographers have created a "Carmina Burana," usually taking their inspiration from the often bawdy medieval lyrics that, because they're sung in Latin, sound more like religious texts than songs about spring and sex, gambling and boozing.
Cong's version of "Carmina Burana" is more abstract, more guided by music than words. What happened on stage may have been on occasion at odds with what was begin sung, but it fit perfectly with the sounds one heard, as if giving physical form to the emotions these syllables and notes evoke.
The performances by the Tulsa Oratorio Chorus, arranged on the wings of the Chapman Music Hall stage, and the Tulsa Children's Chorus, who sang behind scrims at the back of the stage, were excellent -- full of power and drama, subtlety and emotion.
Conductor Carmon DeLeone brought all the elements on stage together with style and deceptive ease. The Tulsa Symphony responded winningly to his urgent, driving tempi (this was one of the fastest "Carmina Buranas" we've heard), and the balance among instruments and voices was superb.
Last week was our performance of Carmina Burana... with the Tulsa Ballet and the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra. It was a crazy collection of groups and performers, and it came together quite nicely. But, it made for a demanding schedule... practices or performances every night from the 18th through the 25th. Plus... work has been crazy as The Gathering has been preparing for its move to a rented facility.
EXCERPTS FROM THE TULSA WORLD...
Ballet shines in golden performance
By JAMES D. WATTS JR.
World Scene Writer
9/25/2006
Even more important was that this production showed what Tulsa as a whole is capable of when it comes to the performing arts. While this was Tulsa Ballet's season opener, it was also a collaborative effort among the dance company, the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, the Tulsa Oratorio Chorus and the Tulsa Children's Chorus. That's what is needed to present something like "Carmina Burana," which Cong set to Carl Orff's massive "dramatic cantata." It's usually presented strictly as a work for chorus and orchestra, but Orff envisioned the piece as multi-discipline extravaganza, combining instrumental and vocal music with movement and theater.
A number of choreographers have created a "Carmina Burana," usually taking their inspiration from the often bawdy medieval lyrics that, because they're sung in Latin, sound more like religious texts than songs about spring and sex, gambling and boozing.
Cong's version of "Carmina Burana" is more abstract, more guided by music than words. What happened on stage may have been on occasion at odds with what was begin sung, but it fit perfectly with the sounds one heard, as if giving physical form to the emotions these syllables and notes evoke.
The performances by the Tulsa Oratorio Chorus, arranged on the wings of the Chapman Music Hall stage, and the Tulsa Children's Chorus, who sang behind scrims at the back of the stage, were excellent -- full of power and drama, subtlety and emotion.
Conductor Carmon DeLeone brought all the elements on stage together with style and deceptive ease. The Tulsa Symphony responded winningly to his urgent, driving tempi (this was one of the fastest "Carmina Buranas" we've heard), and the balance among instruments and voices was superb.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Roses are Red...
Yes, they are. There are a dozen sitting on my dining room table. (One of the benefits of having a roommate, I guess.)
So I just finished reading "A Grief Observed" by C.S. Lewis. I'm not sure why I wanted to read it. I haven't really been suffering through grief or anything. But, I enjoy C.S. Lewis and I was curious as to the book. It's a short piece... only four chapters long, not even 80 pages. He had some interesting thoughts. A short excerpt...
"Can a mortal ask questions which God finds unanswerable? Quite easily, I should think. All nonsense questions are unanswerable. How many hours are there in a mile? Is yellow square or round? Probably half of the questions we ask - half our great theological and metaphysical problems - are like that."
So I just finished reading "A Grief Observed" by C.S. Lewis. I'm not sure why I wanted to read it. I haven't really been suffering through grief or anything. But, I enjoy C.S. Lewis and I was curious as to the book. It's a short piece... only four chapters long, not even 80 pages. He had some interesting thoughts. A short excerpt...
"Can a mortal ask questions which God finds unanswerable? Quite easily, I should think. All nonsense questions are unanswerable. How many hours are there in a mile? Is yellow square or round? Probably half of the questions we ask - half our great theological and metaphysical problems - are like that."
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Embroidery
Theresa crochets, which has encouraged me to pick up some embroidery that I've long been neglecting. It's been fairly enjoyable to have someone to watch TV and sew with. In fact, we've talked of starting some sort of sewing circle, though I'm not sure what the details of that might look like.
It's been another trying week, but for different reasons. Things seemed to have evened out today, so hopefully we have mostly sunny skies ahead of us. The weather has been absolutely perfect... between 60 and 85 degrees... sunny... light breeze. Beeeeaaaaauuuuutiful!! Reminds me of La Jolla. I'm somewhat tempted to hop a plane; however, I suppose I should enjoy Tulsa and save the La Jolla trips for the times it's nearly unbearable here.
I was reminded yesterday that next month is the month I could have taken a trip to Honduras. I suppose not going is the right decision given the fact I should be watching what I spend. But... making an escape sounds somewhat inviting. I guess I can escape for a weekend on some sort of camping trip. Okay, fam, when are we going? :)
It's been another trying week, but for different reasons. Things seemed to have evened out today, so hopefully we have mostly sunny skies ahead of us. The weather has been absolutely perfect... between 60 and 85 degrees... sunny... light breeze. Beeeeaaaaauuuuutiful!! Reminds me of La Jolla. I'm somewhat tempted to hop a plane; however, I suppose I should enjoy Tulsa and save the La Jolla trips for the times it's nearly unbearable here.
I was reminded yesterday that next month is the month I could have taken a trip to Honduras. I suppose not going is the right decision given the fact I should be watching what I spend. But... making an escape sounds somewhat inviting. I guess I can escape for a weekend on some sort of camping trip. Okay, fam, when are we going? :)
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