Today Christians celebrate the Epiphany, when the Wise Men gave their gifts to Jesus. It’s the official close of the Christmas season, and a principal feast of the church. There are a number of carols devoted to the Magi – namely, “We Three Kings” and “The First Nowell.” But I thought we’d listen to something different as we move away from the big holidays.

Musically speaking, Albert Ketèlbey is the English predecessor of Leroy Anderson. His importance is underplayed because his most popular compositions tend to fall into the category of “light” music; however, his sound and style permeate English music, especially of film, to this day. His best-loved works painted exotic pictures for English listeners, and were a way for the average joe and jane to travel to distant lands through their ears.

So, since the Magi came from Persia, here is a delightful little piece, “In a Persian Market.”

… to work.

After a nice long weekend and holiday, it’s going to take a Grande double-espresso Macchiato to get back into gear this morning. I’ll see your coffee and raise you a Mozart Overture to the Marriage of Figaro.

Here’s a little joke I heard about Ricardo Muti:

Muti is lost in the middle of a hot, dry desert. The burning sun is beating down on him, and he is miserable.
“Please, God,” (said in an Italian accent) “… please, just send me two drops of water. That’s all I ask, two drops of water!”
A second later, a small cloud forms above Muti. He holds out his hands in front of him, hoping God has heard his prayer. Two drops of water fall from the cloud and land, one in each of Muti’s palms.
“Thank you God!” Muti yells up to heaven. He claps his hands together, rubs them, then slicks his hair back.

I started this blog as a way to challenge myself, keep my brain sharp(ish), learn new things, and grow as a person. In this new year, I hope that whatever dreams or crazy ideas you have might be realized – be brave, be bold, and do it! May Prometheus bring you a gift of fresh fire.

If you need some inspiration, look no further than Alexander Scriabin. To cut to the chase, the guy was completely nuts, and therefore, many people declare him a genius. He was into Theosophy and experienced a musical synesthesia so strong that he invented an instrument called the “color organ.” His unfinished magnum opus was to be Mysterium, in which (I’m not making this up), the whole human race would blissfully dissolve and a new race of superhuman artists would emerge. The grand performance would take place on the foothills of the Himalayas, and there would be no audience – everyone would be a performer.

One of his last finished works, Prometheus: The Poem of Fire, is scored for large orchestra, with a major piano solo (though not quite a concerto), and color organ. It’s out there, but compared to Mysterium, I suppose it’s fairly normal. (note that it was composed in 1910, just before Stravinsky‘s big three ballets … and you have to admit, it smacks of Stravinsky … or perhaps Stravinsky smacks of Scriabin.)

Again, I hope you find some renewed fire in this new year, and live your dream. After all, it can’t be as bizarre as Scriabin’s.