sinden.org

151 - Psalm

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:37:00 +0000

The Tompmost Apple asserts that Psalm 151 is appropriate for Sunday next, also known as "Christ the King".

He's right. (Warning: NSFC -- not safe for church)

Lloyd - Richard H., composer

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 14:00:00 +0000

A composer who bears mentioning at this juncture is Richard H. Lloyd (b. 1933) who was from approximately 1966 to 1974 the organist and master of choristers at Hereford Cathedral.

The introit to the evensong service at the BBC this week is composed by Lloyd, as is the music below:

boost - turbo, Episode 7 (analysis)

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:00:00 +0000

Episode	Time before initial Turbo Boost	Comments
1	4:56	shortest time
2	7:36	longest time
3	n/a	first episode without
4	n/a	second consecutive episode without
5	n/a	third consecutive episode without
6	n/a	fourth consecutive episode without
7	n/a	fifth consecutive episode without

So far, only 28.57 of the episodes (the first two of seven) have included turbo boost.

At this point in the season, turbo boost stats are starting to look like presidential approval ratings.

In my live blog of this episode, "I Wanna Rock & Roll All Knight", I noticed that there was an opportunity to employ a turbo boost in the final chase scene. Maybe not a perfect one, but a possible opening nonetheless. But with the traffic and the need to stop the car they were pursuing, the writers certainly could have employed this option.

Why didn't they?

Hereford - Hereford sings

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:00:00 +0000

Online at the BBC this week, don't miss the choir of Hereford Cathedral singing the evening service Herbert Howells composed for them.

It is a lush, beautiful service which is rarely heard.

Howells, like a fine wine only got better with age (but was able to get you drunk all along). His later works are always intoxicating.

In Howells's extensive catalog or services it is the fourth to last service he composed. Written in 1969, it is succeeded only by settings written for Magdalene College, York and Dallas, Texas.

The Hereford service is authored by a fully mature Howells, and one who writes with increasing density. Standing in opposition to the harmonic activity is the opening of the Magnificat. The movement, like several other evening services by Howells, begins with a lyrical treble line. The full choir enters at the words "for he that is mighty".

Upon first hearing, one might be tempted to say that the Magnificat delves into the richness of Howells fully-developed harmonic language of complex flexibility and surprise. Certain moments sound as if they are poised spin out of control harmonically, but this is only an illusion. Howells has provided a sure foundation for these passages, and their resolution is powerfully satisfying.

The Nunc Dimittis seems to be a summary of the same ideas, but without all the arcane tangents -- just a hint at where they might have gone. It is much more innocent, but pleasingly so.

Cheat sheet: In the audio file at the BBC, the Magnificat starts at 20:50; Nunc dimittis at 29:37

Also noteworthy: the particularly lovely introit, "View me Lord" by Richard H. Lloyd.

boost - turbo, Episode 7 (live blogging)

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:31:00 +0000

20:58 Sad day in turbo boost land. But let me just suggest for the record that rather than the coördinated take out the tires thing, I think a turbo boost leap frog might have been in order.

20:55 Cars are stopped. I don't think we're going to see anything tonight.

20:54 It's getting narrower, but Mike weaves through traffic.

20:52 On the freeway. All we need here is some kind of obstruction . . .

20:49 Well, with this little to go on, the chase will come down to the wire, which means turbo boost, right?

20:48 This is bad, no trail? Goodyear? Do they have a product placement too?

20:47 Big wreck, now Mike is officially chasing the bad guys . . . in normal mode?. Ah yes, so as not to be seen. Are they on foot? Or "another car waiting?"

20:44 Okay, fifteen minutes, we can still get this done. Back in the car. Attack mode! yes!

20:39 Things are starting to pick up. The bad guys are l33t haX0rs, apparently.

20:38 Ack, back in the hangar. Let's get back outside.

20:35 There are too many commercials. Suddenly a half hour goes to less than 25 minutes.

20:31 We're a half-hour through this one, and I sense a couple of car chases in the near future. Possibilities of a turbo boost are high.

sheet - hymn, singing from the same

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 17:30:00 +0000

The Telegraph reports that "Singing from the same hymn sheet" may upset atheists

We at Sinden.org suggest that the hymn sheet simply be revised.

Or possibly an alternative sheet could be provided for atheists.

Assuming that they even want to sing hymns, might I suggest some texts from Emily Dickinson? This seems to work pretty well for the Unitarians.

Crimson Tide (1995) - concessionary scoring of

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 14:00:00 +0000

Sinden.org continues to observe the Octave of the American Election. Normal programming, if there is such a thing, will resume eventually.

Major kudos to Miss Wombat of in time of daffodils for providing us with a keen election night musical analysis.

After his concession speech, the McCain camp piped in music from the film Crimson Tide: "a movie about an old white guy submarine captain, and the upstart young, black XO who have to deal with Russia attacking their sub."

This is, as Miss Wombat notes "an almost hilarious topical reference about black vs. white and experience vs. inexperience."

But more than that, isn't it a pointed reference a certain vice presidential candidate who was a threat to both campaigns? And to the ever present Russia, a country in close proximity to said vice presidential candidate's house?

Not to mention that the site of all of this drama is an electorally significant Ohio-class submarine?

Robinson, Gene - meetings with Barack Obama

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:30:00 +0000

Gene Robinson who, like Obama, is not
afraid to be photographed with pipe organs.

Gene Robinson has recently spoken about his "three private conversations" with Barack Obama earlier this year.

Bishop Robinson described his conversations with him as part of Mr Obama’s “extraordinary” outreach to all religious communities, not just Christian groups. Mr Obama, although not a member of The Episcopal Church to which Bishop Robinson belongs, is a committed Christian with the United Church of Christ.
He said that the Mr Obama was taller than he had expected and described him as “Lincolnesque”, both literally and metaphorically. They discussed the dangers both of being demonised by opponents and idealised by supporters.
Gledhill, Ruth. "Barack Obama asked gay bishop Gene Robinson what it was like to be 'first'". Times (London), 6 November 2008.

(via Thinking Anglicans)

boost - turbo, Episode 6

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:08:00 +0000

Episode	Time before initial Turbo Boost	Comments
1	4:56	shortest time
2	7:36	longest time
3	n/a	first episode without
4	n/a	second consecutive episode without
5	n/a	third consecutive episode without
6	n/a	fourth consecutive episode without

So far, only 33.33% of the episodes (the first two of six) have included turbo boost.

Turbo boost was particularly unlikely in this episode since KITT was largely confined to the cargo area of the plane.

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:35:00 +0000

Sinden.org calls his mother for Obama.

Mom, Barack says "thanks".

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:00:00 +0000

1:00 a.m.

Polls close in Alaska. Sinden.org calls Alaska for ~~Sarah Palin~~ John McCain.

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:39:00 +0000

12:39 a.m.

Sinden.org calls North Carolina for Obama

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:37:00 +0000

12:37 a.m.

Sinden.org calls Indiana for Obama

colors - limited

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 04:49:00 +0000

The New York Times gave us a great interactive election map to play with this year.

But they only gave us two colors: red and blue.

Mohave County in Arizona circa 11:45 p.m. on election night should be a different color.

(Who are these guys voting for?)

Hereford Cathedral - mystical music schemes of

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 13:00:00 +0000

Check out the music scheme PDFs on Hereford Cathedral's Services page.

They are at once beautifully abstract and totally impractical.

A special video message from the proprietor of Sinden.org

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:00:00 +0000

boost - turbo ratings, episode 5.5

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:17:00 +0000

The New York Times reports that Barack Obama's half-hour infomercial attracted more viewers than the network's usual shows:

On NBC, the disparity was even greater. Its regular show there, “Knight Rider,” has been averaging just under 7 million viewers. Mr. Obama pulled in 9.8 million for his half-hour special.

So, while there was no turbo boost this week, the political interruption does ~~beg~~ raise [see comments] the question: when will we see Obama drive KITT?

Maybe sooner than we think:

During a season where television hits are hard to find, one NBC executive suggested jokingly Wednesday that Mr. Obama might be invited back to fill the 8 p.m. Wednesday time slot on a regular basis.

Possible episode title: "Election Knight"

Palin, Sarah - lounge singer

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 03:28:00 +0000

It's not plainsong, it's palinsong:

(Thanks Michael!)

boost - turbo, Episode 5

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:00:00 +0000

Episode	Time before initial Turbo Boost	Comments
1	4:56	shortest time
2	7:36	longest time
3	n/a	first episode without
4	n/a	second consecutive episode without
5	n/a	third consecutive

So far, only 40% of the episodes have included turbo boost.

I have to say, this "transformation" thing, while cool and gimmicky, makes for some terrible plot points. In this episode KITT references a "vulnerability" in his undercarriage during transformation. KITT suffering a blue screen of death while on a mission directly as a result of transformation seems to happen with alarming frequency.

Why just back in Episode 2, the site of our last turbo boost, Michael and KITT have a mid-air (mid-turbo-boost, actually) argument about why transforming before hitting the ground is bad. Things seem to have gotten worse as KITT is the one who suggests transformation on the landmined road to "improve [his] maneuverability".

Well, no, maneuverability is not improved if you can't move at all.

Here's hoping for gentler, more thoughtful transformations.

Rorem, Ned - happy 85th birthday to

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 02:00:00 +0000

Happy birthday to American composer Ned Rorem who turns 85 today.

Rorem, a student of Leo Sowerby, is a favorite composer of church musicians. His "Sing, my soul, his wondrous love" has earned a place in the repertoire of many choirs. "Love divine, all loves excelling" is another sensitive setting of a hymn text, and one which makes a very effective appearance in Rorem's opera Our Town

A prolific composer for the organ, among other instruments, Rorem has composed three "Organbooks". And in all of his music, there's a very real substance and an inimitable style.

O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on you servant Ned as he begins another year. Grant that he may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen his trust in your goodness all the days of his life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

blower - organ

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:30:00 +0000

THE ORGAN-BLOWER
by Oliver Wendell Holmes

DEVOUTEST of My Sunday friends,
The patient Organ-blower bends;
I see his figure sink and rise,
(Forgive me, Heaven, my wandering eyes!)
A moment lost, the next half seen,
His head above the scanty screen,
Still measuring out his deep salaams
Through quavering hymns and panting psalms.

No priest that prays in gilded stole,
To save a rich man's mortgaged soul;
No sister, fresh from holy vows,
So humbly stoops, so meekly bows;
His large obeisance puts to shame
The proudest genuflecting dame,
Whose Easter bonnet low descends
With all the grace devotion lends.

O brother with the supple spine,
How much we owe those bows of thine
Without thine arm to lend the breeze,
How vain the finger on the keys!
Though all unmatched the player's skill,
Those thousand throats were dumb and still:
Another's art may shape the tone,
The breath that fills it is thine own.

Six days the silent Memnon waits
Behind his temple's folded gates;
But when the seventh day's sunshine falls
Through rainbowed windows on the walls,
He breathes, he sings, he shouts, he fills
The quivering air with rapturous thrills;
The roof resounds, the pillars shake,
And all the slumbering echoes wake!

The Preacher from the Bible-text
With weary words my soul has vexed
(Some stranger, fumbling far astray
To find the lesson for the day);
He tells us truths too plainly true,
And reads the service all askew,--
Why, why the--mischief--can't he look
Beforehand in the service-book?

But thou, with decent mien and face,
Art always ready in thy place;
Thy strenuous blast, whate'er the tune,
As steady as the strong monsoon;
Thy only dread a leathery creak,
Or small residual extra squeak,
To send along the shadowy aisles
A sunlit wave of dimpled smiles.

Not all the preaching, O my friend,
Comes from the church's pulpit end!
Not all that bend the knee and bow
Yield service half so true as thou!
One simple task performed aright,
With slender skill, but all thy might,
Where honest labor does its best,
And leaves the player all the rest.

This many-diapasoned maze,
Through which the breath of being strays,
Whose music makes our earth divine,
Has work for mortal hands like mine.
My duty lies before me. Lo,
The lever there! Take hold and blow
And He whose hand is on the keys
Will play the tune as He shall please.

1812.

Bach for Barack - the image

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 03:35:00 +0000

A visual followup to my "Bach for Barack" idea: "Baroque Obama"

Stabler, David. "Barack Obama: It was only a matter of time" The Oregonian 28 August 2008

Taft Chatham's image is for sale on a shirt.

boost - turbo, Episode 4

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:43:00 +0000

Another sad day for turbo boost fans.

Episode	Time before initial Turbo Boost	Comments
1	4:56	shortest time
2	7:36	longest time
3	n/a	first episode without
4	n/a	second consecutive episode without

Barack - Bach for

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:46:00 +0000

Inspired by "Artists for Obama", I find myself thinking about a project I call: "Organ for Obama", or even better, "Bach for Barack".

O Mensch, bewein' dein' Sünde groß, BWV 622

B Minor Prelude, BWV 544

An Wasserflüssen Babylon, BWV 653

Meine Seele erhebt den Herren, BWV 648

Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, BWV 715

Are these good choices?

Is anyone interested in recording these and getting them on the web?

Discuss.

Messiaen for McCain? Anyone? It is a centennial year. For Messiaen I mean.

St John's College, Cambridge - evensong webcasts from

noreply@blogger.com (Sinden) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The Choir of St. John's College Cambridge is webcasting one evensong each week from their new, freestanding website. The inaugural webcast debuts today.

Their audio player makes it ridiculously easy to skip the sermon.

One can hope that King's and other English collegiate chapels are not far behind in this endeavor.

Now, a non-musical web tangent:

The arrangements of the webcast do make one wonder a little bit about the politics behind the St. John's enterprise. The choir has recently launched this new website which is separate from the college's domain. It is also a bit heavy in the self-promotion department, but that's another story.

Perhaps one of the primary reasons for the creation of this site is the choir's desire webcast evensong services. This initiative does seem to have the blessing of the college (see this press release) but I think it loses some of its prestige by not being hosted by the college.

Now, maybe there's some technical or theological reason that ac.uk addresses cannot stream audio, but I'm not privy to that kind of "Bob's your uncle" or "Heath Robinson" or whatever you want to call it.

And this separation of a music program from its umbrella institution is not an isolated incident. I run across this from time to time in parish churches and cathedrals on this side of the Atlantic. It seems to me that in the interest of the web presence of both parties this kind of separation should be discouraged and regarded as insubordination on the part of the musicians. Of course this is only valid if the umbrella institution has a responsive site and adequate technical support.