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.”

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.

December 17 is a day that I get to mentally relive one of my favorite high school memories – Saturnalia! For those of us in Latin Club, this was a day of great celebration. We were excused from class, and would walk around the school shouting “Io Saturnalia!” while pelting underclassmen with candy. It was a day of great learning for all.

Gustav Holst’s most famous piece is undoubtedly The Planets, a multi-movement work  which, despite the name, is more astrological than astronomical (think horoscopes or Roman gods). It’s a funny case of the large work titled after heavenly bodies, while the individual movements, like “Saturn – The Bringer of Old Age” bear mythological subtitles.

The music doesn’t tell a specific story, but instead paints a marvelous picture of gods, goddesses, and giant spheres of matter orbiting the sun. The work has practically defined what music about outer space should sound like, and its influence can be heard in any sci-fi or space themed movie.