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A Celebration of God's Grace
Whoever seeks truth must listen to one's opponent.
--Isaac Samuel Reggio
Torah and Philosophy
Arrogance is a kingdom--without a crown.
--Talmud
Sanhedrin
Love, from whom the world begun,
Hath the secret of the sun.
Love can tell, and love alone,
Whence the million stars were strewn,
Why each atom knows its own.
--Robert Bridges
New Poems, No. 9
A woman's always younger than a man
At equal years.
--Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Aurora Leigh, Book II
Life is the art of drawing sufficient conclusions from insufficient premises.
--Samuel Butler
Note-Books: Lord, What is Man (sic)
Dive into the sea of thought, and find there pearls beyond price.
--Moses ibn Ezra
Shirat Yisrael
Christmas is the surprise of light coming back. Easter is the surprise of spring returning. Our faith is the ability to be open to surprises.
--Andrew M. Greeley
Lord of the Dance
Like wine, the Torah pleases the heart and improves with age.
--Midrash
Sifre--Deuteronomy, 48
Diligence is the mother of good fortune.
--Miguel de Cervantes
Don Quixote
One should not make an ax of the Torah.
--Sayings of the Fathers
The office of government is not to confer happiness, but to give men (sic) opportunity to work out happiness for themselves.
--William Ellery Channing
The Life and Character of Napoleon Bonaparte
Little troubles are really not so bad--for someone else.
--Sholem Aleichem
Nothing sublimely artistic has ever arisen out of mere art, any more than anything essentially reasonable has ever arisen out of the pure reason. There must always be a rich moral soil for any great aesthetic growth.
--G.K. Chesterton
A Defence of Nonsense
My God,
I pray that I may so know you and love you
that I may rejoice in you.
And if I may not do so fully in this life
let me go steadily on
to the day when I come to that fullness ...
Let me receive
That which you promised through your truth,
that my joy may be full
--St. Anselm
Saints and Seasons A page for spiritual and liturgical meditation |
| Ordinary Time (begins May 24, 2010) |
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St. Christopher and the Infant Christ - Fresco (15th c.) by Domenico Ghirlandaio  |
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| June 1 | Feast of Justin Martyr, 165
Lutheran & Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay; Greek Orthodox icon. |
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Adoration of the Shepherds (detail) - Oil on canvas (1578-1580) by El Greco  |
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| June 2 | Episcopal commemoration of Blandina and Her Companions, 177  Persecution against Christians at 2nd-century Lyons centered on Bishop Pothinus, Deacon Sanctus, Attalus, recent convert Maturus, and Blandina, a slave. At first, Christians were excluded from all public life, later subjected to torture to get them to say that Christians practiced incest and cannibalism. Pothinus died from a beating, and Blandina was tortured for a day, saying only, “I am a Christian, and nothing vile is done among us.” Those who survived the torture were executed in the arena. Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating Sts. Marcellinus and Peter, 304  Marcellinus, priest, and Peter, exorcist, were beheaded during Diocletian’s persecution. Little is known of them, but they were important enough for Constantine to build a basilica over their crypt in Rome. They are remembered because the shedding of martyr’s blood, as it is the ultimate act of faith, is important in the corporate memory of the church. MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Nicolas Rubinstein (Russian composer, pianist & conductor), b. 1835; Sir Edward Elgar (English composer), b. 1857; Felix Weingartner (German conductor), b. 1863; Robert Palmer (English singer & song writer), b. 1896; Louis Vierne (French organist & composer), d. 1937; First performance of Berg’s opera Lulu, Acts 1 & 2 only, 1937; Sidney Robertson Cowell (American ethnographer & wife of composer, Henry Cowell), b. 1903; First performance of Walton’s Coronation Te Deum, 1953; First performance of Henze’s operaThe English Cat, 1983 |
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| Reliquary with the Apostles – Tempera on wood (c. 1200) by an Unknown Spanish Master |
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| June 3 | Commemoration of Pope John XVIII, Bishop of Rome, 1963
Lutheran commemoration; Roman Catholic essay; Franciscan audio essay. |
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| Main Altar, (c. 1571) Church of St Mary Magdalen, Valladolid - by Esteban Jordan |
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| June 4 | Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Mary and Martha, special friends of Jesus and sisters of Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead.  Christ in the House of Mary and Martha - Oil on canvas (c. 1620) by Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velasquez St. Lazarus between Martha and Mary - Panel (late 15th century) Christ in the House of Mary and Martha - Oil on canvas (1570-1575) by Tintoretto< MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: James Hewitt (British-American composer, conductor & music publisher), b. 1770?; First performance of Weber’s opera Abu Hassan, 1811; Erno Rapee (Hungarian-American conductor), b. 1891; Stanislaw Moniuszko (Polish composer), d. 1872; Agathe Backer-Groendahl (Norwegian composer), d. 1907; Paul Nordoff (American composer & music therapist), b. 1909; Robert Merrill (American baritone), b. 1919; Oliver Nelson (American jazz composer & arranger), b. 1932; First performance of Shostakovich’s ballet The Limpid Stream, 1935; First performance of Strauss’ opera Die schweigsame Frau, 1935; Serge Koussevitzky (Russian-American bassist & conductor), d. 1951; First performance of Glass’ opera La Belle et la Bête, 1994; First performance of Danielpour’s ballet Urban Dances, 1997; First performance of Salonen’s Five Images after Sappho, 1999 |
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| June 5 | Feast of St. Boniface, 754
Lutheran essay; Franciscan audio essay. |
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| Portrait of a Gentleman - Oil on canvas (1580-1585) by El Greco |
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| June 6 | Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Norbert, 1134 Norbert was a French reformer whose tasks were to correct theological errors concerning the Lord’s Supper, revitalize indifferent and dissolute believers, and effect peace between enemies, daunting challenges. He is remembered for acknowledging that God was the source of and power for his success, and for realizing the need for the collaboration of many people to do this work of God. MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Alexis Lvov (Estonian composer), b. 1799; Sir John Stainer (English composer), b. 1840; Dom André Mocquereau (Gregorian chant specialist), b. 1849; Siegfried Wagner (German composer & conductor), b. 1869; Henri Vieuxtemps (Belgian composer & violinist), d. 1881; Aram Khachaturian (Soviet-American composer), b. 1903; Laszlo Halasz (Hungarian conductor & record producer), b. 1905; Arthur Mendel (American musicologist), b. 1905; Toshitsugu Ogiwara (Japanese composer), b. 1911; Vincent Persichetti (American composer), b. 1915; Sergei Taneyev (Russian composer), d. 1915; First performance of Hindemith’s opera Mörder, Hoffnung der Frauen, 1921; First performance of Milhaud’s ballet L’Homme et son désir, 1921; Iain Hamilton (Scottish composer), b. 1922; First performance of Schoenberg’s melodrama Erwartung, 1924; First performance of Strauss’s opera Die aegyptische Helena, 1928; Philippe Entremont (French pianist & conductor), b. 1934; Louis Andriessen (Dutch composer), b. 1939; Phillip Rhodes (American composer), b. 1940 |
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| Middle Eastern And Mediterranean Musical Instruments in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Kananche - Iran (c. 1869) by an unknown artist Tombak - Iranian (late 19th c.) by an unknown artist Ud - Egyptian (1977) by Les fils de Gamil Georges Lyra - Greek (c. 1900) by an unknown artist Rebab - Northern Africa (late 19th c.) by an unknown artist |
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| June 7, 2009 | Trinity Sunday The Trinity - Painting by El Greco (1577)Trinity – Painting by Franz Anton Maulbertsch (c. 1785) Trinity Sunday is the only major feast to celebrate an idea rather than a person or event. Never intended to be a static description of the being of God, it rather is a dynamic expression of the myriad ways God reveals Godself to humanity and the many ways humans experience the divine presence in this earthly life. God is experienced as relational: as the Father, the Son, and the Spirit relate to each other, so we experience God in human relationships. God is experienced through the mighty works of creation, salvation and consummation, and humanity knows God’s presence as Creator, Redeemer, and Comforter. Lutheran Commemoration of Seattle, chief of the Duwamish Confederacy, 1866 Although technically not a “chief,” Seattle was a natural leader in time of crisis who understood the white settler’s intentions and had a gift of oratory. He protected the white settlers from attack, and was so skillful in peacemaking that they named their community after him. The peace he maintained enabled his people to adapt to and survive modern challenges. Franciscan audio essay commemorating Servant of God Joseph Perez, 1928 Mexican Franciscan Joseph Perez was forced to study for the priesthood in California because of civil unrest. After ordination he served at Jerecuaro until the persecutions of President Plutarco Calles forced the church underground. Perez was killed by soldiers after secretly holding Mass. He is remembered for his courage in putting God’s service ahead of even life itself. MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Thomas Tomkins (English composer), d. 1656; Leopold Auer (Hungarian violinist), b. 1845; Franz Xaver Gruber (Austrian composer & organist), d. 1863; First performance of Wolf’s opera Der Corregidor, 1986; Georg Szell (Hungarian-American conductor), b. 1897; Boris Goldovsky (Russian-American pianist, conductor & opera producer), b. 1908; Craig McHenry (American music educator), b. 1908; First performance of Gershwin’s musical revue George White’s Scandals of 1920, 1920; First performance of Prokofiev’s ballet Pas d’Acier, 1927; First performance of Weill’s The Seven Deadly Sins of the Bourgeoisie, 1933; First performance of Britten’s opera Peter Grimes, 1945 |
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| June 8 | Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. William of York, 1154 William was involved in a dynastic struggle for the English throne and an internal feud in the Church. He was nominated as Archbishop of York, but it took fourteen years and a period of exile for him to be consecrated. Within two months, he was dead – probably by poisoning. He is remembered for the miracles attributed to him following his death. MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Hans Leo Hassler (German composer), d. 1612; Tomaso Albinoni (Italian composer), b. 1671; Robert Schumann (German composer), b. 1810; Alberto Jonás (Spanish composer & pianist), b. 1868; Henry Clay Work (American composer), d. 1884; Erwin Schulhoff (Czech composer), b. 1894; Reginald Kell (British clarinetist), b. 1906; Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov (Russian composer), d. 1908; First performance of Ravel’s ballet Daphnis et Chloé, 1912; First performance of Hindemith’s opera Neus vom Tage, 1929; First performance of Orff’s scenic cantata Carmina Burana, 1937; Frederick Shepherd Converse (American composer), d. 1940; First performance of Britten’s opera Glorianna, 1953; First performance of Birtwistle’s opera Punch and Judy, 1968; First performance of Brant’s An American Requiem, 1974; Gordon Jacob (English composer), d. 1984; Margaret Buechner (German-American composere), d. 1998 |
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| Tomb of Martin Vásquez (detail) – Marble (1490s) by Sebastián de Almonacid |
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| June 9 | Lutheran & Episcopal Feast of St. Columba, 597 St. Columba founded three monasteries in Britain, two in his native Ireland and the famous one on the island of Iona. They served as inns, orphanages, centers of learning and fortresses, examples of, as Thomas Cahill with his book title says, “How The Irish Saved Civilization” during the Middle Ages. Columba is remembered for his pivotal role in the conversion of Scots and Picts, and in the renewed ecumenical community centered in Iona. Lutheran commemoration of Aidan, confessor, 651 (see August 31 for details) Lutheran commemoration of Bede, confessor, 735 (see May 25 for details) Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Ephrem, 373 Ephrem was a poet, teacher, orator and defender of the faith whose poetic account of the Last Judgment may have inspired Dante. In those days doctrine was debated through hymns. Ephrem composed lyrics of orthodox theology and had them sung to the tunes of the heretics. In this, he was among the first to use hymns to instruct the faithful. He is remembered as the “Harp of the Holy Spirit” for his musical expression of faith and unity. MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Philippe de Vitry (French composer & music theorist), d. 1361; Heinrich Finck (German composer), d. 1527; Thomas Tomkins (English composer), buried 1656; Raimund Haertel (German music publisher), b. 1810; Carl Otto Nicolai (German composer), b. 1810; Carl Nielsen (Danish composer), b. 1865; Alberic Magnard (French composer), b. 1865; Kõsçak Yamada (Japanese composer & conductor), b. 1886; Cole Porter (American composer & song writer), b. 1892; Fred Waring (American conductor), b. 1900; Warren DeMotte (American music critic), b. 1909; Ingolf Dahl (German-American composer, pianist & conductor), b. 1912; Rose Marie Grentzer (American clarinetist & music educator), b. 1914; Paul Earls (American composer & educator), b. 1934; Charles Wuorinen (American composer), b. 1938; First performance of Haydn’s opera Orpheus and Eurydice, 1951; First performance of Britten’s church opera The Burning Fiery Furnace, 1966 |
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| Allegory with a Boy Lighting a Candle in the Presence of a Fool and an Ape - Oil on canvas (c. 1600) by El Greco |
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| June 10 | Episcopal Feast of St. Epphrem of Syria, Hymn Writer, 373 (see June 9 for details) MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Martin Agricola (German composer & music theorist), d. 1556; William Henry Dana (American music educator), b. 1846; First performance of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, 1865; Titta Ruffo (Italian baritone), b. 1877; Ernest Chausson (French composer), d. 1899; Frederick Loewe (German-American composer), b. 1904; Ralph Kirkpatrick (American musicologist harpsichorist), b. 1911; Tikhon Khrennikov (Soviet composer), b. 1913; Thor Johnson (American conductor), b. 1913; Allan Hadley Bone (American organist), b. 1917; Arrigo Boito (Italian composer & librettist), d. 1918; Frederick Delius (British composer), d. 1934; First public performance of Poulenc’s Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani, 1941; Mark Anthony Turnage (English composer), b. 1960; Louis Gruenberg (American composer), d. 1964; First performance of Britten’s church opera The Prodigal Son, 1968 |
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| St. Francis Receiving the Stigmata - Oil on canvas (1585-1590) by El Greco |
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| June 11 | Feast of St. Barnabas the Apostle
Lutheran & Episcopal essay; Greek Orthodox icon; Roman Catholic audio essay. |
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| Portrait of a Man - Oil on canvas (1586-1590) by El Greco |
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| June 12 | Episcopal commemoration of Enmegahbowh, Priest and Missionary, 1902 An Ojibwa, Enmegahbowh was the first Native American ordained in the Episcopal Church. Likely a man of significance in his tribe, his name means, “the man who stands by his people.” He succeeded in preventing a general massacre of white settlers, and worked tirelessly among the Ojibwas after the government moved them to their reservation, seeing to both their spiritual and physical needs. Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Peter the Athonite As a Roman soldier of noble Constantinople birth, Peter was captured and imprisoned by the Saracens. Released through the efforts of Sts. Nicholas and Symeon, he went to Rome, where he became a monk. For the rest of his life, he lived as a hermit in Greece. He is remembered for overcoming temptations of the solitary life and for his utter reliance upon God in all things. MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Nikolaus Simrock (German bugler & music publisher), d. 1832; Wilhelm Volkman (German-American composer), b. 1837; Alexander Tansman (Polish-French composer), b. 1897; George Adams (American blues saxophonist), b. 1904; First performance of Schmitt’s ballet La Tragédie de Salomé, 1913; Maurice Ohana (French composer), b. 1914; Teresa Carreño (Venezuelan composer, conductor, pianist & singer), d. 1917; First performance of Pfitzner’s opera Palestrina, 1917; First performance of Szymanowski’s opera King Roger, 1926; First European performance of Stravinsky’s ballet Apollon musagete, 1928; Joan Peyser (American musicologist & journalist), b. 1931; Chick Corea (American jazz pianist & composer), b. 1941; First performance of Prokofiev’s opera War and Peace, 1st version, 1946; Oliver Knussen (Scottish composer & conductor), b. 1952; First performance of Britten’s chamber opera Trouble in Tahiti, 1952; First performance of Martinu’s opera The Greek Passion, 1961; John Ireland (British composer), d. 1962; First performance of Britten’s church opera Curlew River, 1964 |
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| Monstrance, Avila Cathedral – Silver (n.d.) by Juan de Arfe |
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| June 13 | Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Akylina the Martyr of Syria Aquilina was martyred at the age of ten (?) for teaching other young girls to become Christian. Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Anthony of Padua, 1231 Anthony was called to leave everything and follow Christ—several times. First, it was wealth; he became an Augustinian. Then, in order to become a martyr, he became a Franciscan and set out to preach to the Moors; illness prevented that. Then he spent several years in a small hermitage praying, doing menial tasks, and studying the scriptures; he found himself in a position to preach and teach. He is remembered as a man of prayer who was strongly grounded in scripture and theology, as the first friar to teach other friars theology, and as a powerful preacher to those who had been misled by heresy. Saint Anthony of Padua – Tempera on wood (early 14th c.) by Maso di BancoMUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Anton Wranitzky (Czech composer & violinist), b. 1761; Anton Eberl (Austrian composer & pianist), b. 1766; First performance of Verdi’s opera Les Vêspres Siciliennes, 1855; Eduard Poldini (Hungarian composer), b. 1869; Marc Pincherle (French musicologist & critic), b. 1888; Elisabeth Schumann (German soprano), b. 1888; Carlos Chávez (Mexican composer), b. 1899; Nino Pirrotta (Italian musicologist), b. 1908; First performance of Stravinsky’s ballet Petrushka, 1911; First performance of Stravinsky’s cantata Les Noces, 1923; First staged performance of Honegger’s opera Joan of Ard at the Stake, 1942; Sir Eugene Goosens (English composer & conductor), d. 1962; First staged performance of Weill’s opera Der Weg der Verheissung, German version, 1999; Ralph Shapey (American composer & conductor), d. 2002; David Diamond (American composer), d. 2005 |
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| St. John Chrysostom – Icon (20th century) by an unknown Byzantine Catholic Master |
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| June 14 | Lutheran commemoration of Richard Baxter, 1691 An English courtier of James I, he rejected the low moral standards of the court and studied theology. He was ordained but rejected episcopacy as it was then practiced so that he declined elevation to the bishopric of Hereford. That led to his being banned from service in the church. He is remembered as a prolific hymn writer. Lutheran & Episcopal commemoration of the Cappadocian FathersBasil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea, 379 One of the eight Doctors of the Church, he composed the Rules for monastic life that remain the standard for the Eastern Church. Throughout his life, he championed the principle that social services such as feeding the hungry and caring for the sick should not discriminate between Christian and non-Christian; his funeral was attended by Christians, Jews, and pagans. He is remembered by both East and West for his determined defense of Trinitarian Christianity as we know it. Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishop of Constantinople, c. 389 Gregory of Nazianzus was one of the eight Doctors of the Church of the ancient Church. In the aftermath of the debate between Athanasius and Arius that the former won at the Council of Nicaea, the Arians put up vigorous competition for the hearts and minds of churches, cities and territories. Constantinople was one city controlled by the Arians to the total exclusion of the Orthodox. Gregory was asked to go there, where he preached his five sermons on the Trinity and the deity of Christ, for which he is best known. He is remembered as one who developed Orthodox clarity on those issues, a clarity upon which the results of the Council of Nicaea were reinforced by the Council of Constantinople. Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, c. 385 Gregory of Nyssa was one of the eight Doctors of the Church and a force in the triumph of the Athanasian position at the Council of Constantinople. While his theological writings are important, he is remembered chiefly for his writings on the spiritual life in both its private and corporate forms. Greek Orthodox commemoration of Elisha the Prophet. Click for a Jewish perspective. Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Methodios the Confessor, Patriarch of Constantinople, 9th c. Methodius is remembered for suffering exile and torture for his Orthodox faith and its veneration of icons prior to his consecration as Patriarch of Constantinople. MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Cristobal Morales (Spanish composer), d. 1553; Orlandus Lassus (Flemish composer), d. 1594; Antnonio Sacchini (Italian composer), b. 1730; (Johann) Simon Mayr (German composer), b. 1763; Nicolai Rubinstein (Russian composer, pianist & conductor), b. 1835; First performance of Delibes’ ballet Sylvia, 1876; John McCormack (Irish tenor), b. 1884; Johan Svendsen (Norwegian composer), d. 1911; Carter Harman (American composer & music critic), b. 1918; Arthur Jacobs (American film producer & writer on music), b. 1922; First performance of Gliere’s ballet The Red Poppy, 1927; First performance of Weill’s opera The Threepenny Opera, Americanized version, 1952 |
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| Portrait of a Dominican (or Trinitarian) Friar - Oil on canvas (1605-1610) by El Greco |
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| June 15 | Episcopal commemoration of Evelyn Underhill, 1941 She is an English mystic remembered for her extensive writings on contemplative prayer based on her own experience and study. Greek Orthodox commemoration of Amos the Prophet. Click for an Evangelical perspective. Franciscan audio essay commemorating Servant of God Orlando Catanii, 13th. century A chance encounter with Francis of Assisi changed Orlando’s life forever. He placed his resources at Francis’ disposal, including his Mount La Verna which included mountains, woods and caves, all ideal for quiet retreat and prayer. He had a convent and a church built there; that is where St. Francis received the stigmata. In exchange, Orlando was received into the Third Order and had Francis as his spiritual director. Orlando is remembered for his generosity not only to Francis but to his community. MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Louis Claude Daquin (French composer & organist), d. 1772; Edvard Grieg (Norwegian composer), b. 1843; Ernestine Schumann-Heink (Austrian contralto), b. 1861; J. Guy Ropartz (French composer), b. 1864; Johanna Gadski (German soprano), b. 1872; Ferenc Erkel (Hungarian composer), d. 1893; Robert Russell Bennett (American composer & arranger), b. 1894; Otto Luening (American composer), b. 1900; Max Rudolf (German-American conductor), b. 1902; Amyas Ames (American philanthropist & champion of Lincoln Center), b. 1906; First performance of Torke’s ballet Slate, 1989 |
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| Chinese and Japanese Musical Instruments in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Gu - Chinese (19th c.) by Chin Shing Store Pipa - Chinese (19th c.) by Jiu-cheng Bell - Chinese (late 19th c.) by an unknown artist Gong Held by Oni - Japanese (early 19th c.) by an unknown artist Sho - Sho – Japanese (19th c.) by an unknown artist |
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| June 16 | Episcopal commemoration of Joseph Butler, Bishop of Durham, 1752 Joseph Butler is remembered for his vigorous defense of orthodoxy against Deism, a religion that denied the miraculous as being from God. Butler used the classic argument that the God who wrote the book of nature also wrote the book of scripture. MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Johann Adam Hiller (German composer & conductor), d. 1804; Otto Jahn (German writer on art and music), b. 1813; Lucia Dlugoszewski (American composer), b. 1925; Sirvart Poladian (Turkish ethnomusicologist), b. 1902; First performance of Shostakovich’s opera The Nose, 1929; First performance of Blitzstein’s opera-review The Cradle Will Rock, 1937; Heino Eller (Estonian composer), d. 1970; First performance of Britten’s opera Death in Venice, 1973; Maurice Duruflé (French organist & composer), d. 1986 |
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| Still Life with Fruit and a Jar – Oil on canvas (c. 1773) |
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| June 17 | Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Albert Chmielowski, 1915 Polish artist Adam Chmielowski became a Secular Franciscan and took the name Albert when he founded the Brothers of the Third Order of Saint Francis, Servants to the poor. His order served the homeless, relying totally on donations. An early influence on Pope John Paul II, he is remembered for leaving behind the world of the arts in favor of the vocation to the priesthood. MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Charles Gounod (French composer), b. 1818; Victor Maurel (French baritone), b. 1848; James Weldon Johnson (American poet), b. 1871; Igor Stravinsky (Russian-American composer), b. 1882; Pierre Luboshutz (Russian-American pianist), b. 1891; Arthur Prichard Moor (American writer on music & dance), b. 1899; First performance of Herbert’s operetta Babes in Toyland, 1903; John Verrall (American composer & educator), b. 1908; Einar (Sven) Englund (Finnish composer), b. 1916; Alan Rich (Ameican music critic), b. 1924; Frank Cunkle (American organist & music educator), b. 1914; First performance of Barber’s opera A Hand of Bridge, 1959; Peter Mennin (American composer), d. 1983; First performance of Bernstein’s opera A Quiet Place, 1st version 1983 |
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| St. Bernardino - Oil on canvas (1603) by El Greco |
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| June 18 | Episcopal commemoration of Bernard Mizeki, Catechist and Martyr in Rhodesia, 1896 A native of Mozambique, he grew up and went to school in Capetown, South Africa, where he also became a Christian. Fluent in eleven languages, he was of great assistance when the Anglican Church began translating the Bible and liturgical materials into African languages. He became a lay missionary to a village in Zimbabwe where he succeeded by respecting as many local religious traditions as possible and by providing good education for the children. African nationalists considered all missionaries as European colonialists, so Bernard was murdered for his faith. MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Ottaviano dei Petrucci (Italian music printer), b. 1466; Michel-Richard de Lalande (French composer), d. 1726; Ignaz Joseph Pleyer (Austrian composer & piano maker), b. 1757; First performance of Weber’s opera Der Freischütz, 1821; David Popper (Austrian cellist & composer), b. 1843; Horace Britt (Belgian cellist & teacher), b. 1881; Eduard Steuermann (Austrian-American composer & teacher), b. 1892; Wilburn Scott Goldthwaite (American musicologist), b. 1901; Manuel Rosenthal (French composer & conductor), b. 1904; Eduard Tubin (Estonian-Swedish composer), b. 1905; Robert Commanday (American music critic), b. 1922; First performance of Gershwin’s musical revue George White’s Scandals of 1923, 1923; Sir Paul McCartnery (English singer, composer & former Beatle), b. 1942; First performance of Britten’s opera Noye’s Fludde, 1958; First performance of Davis’ opera Tania, 1992 |
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| Christ Leading the Patriarchs to the Paradise - Tempera on wood (c. 1480) by Bartolomé Bermejo |
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| June 19 | Franciscan audio essay commemorating Venerable Matt Talbot, 1925 Talbot is the patron of those struggling with alcoholism. For fifteen years, he was an active alcoholic. After taking “the pledge” for three months, he made a general confession and began attending daily Mass. The first seven years of sobriety were a struggle, with prayer being as intense as his former drinking, but he tried to repay those he had borrowed or stolen from. He earned a living as a laborer, joined the Secular Franciscans, and spent evenings reading scripture and the lives of Saints, and giving generously to missions. He is remembered for his valiant struggle. Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Romauld, 1027 Romauld is remembered as the founder of the Order of the Carmaldolese Benedictines, an order that united monastic and hermetic lifestyles. He longed for martyrdom, but illness repeatedly kept him from going where it might happen. After a period of spiritual dryness, he was given an extraordinary light and spirit which he carried with him in other times of suffering. MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Johann Stamitz (Bohemian violinist & composer), baptized 1717; Ferdinand David (German violinist & composer), b. 1810; Carl Zeller (Austrian composer), b. 1842; Alfredo Catalani (Italian composer), b. 1854; Sergei Taneyev (Russian composer), d. 1915; First performance of Saint-Saëns’ Hail California, 1915; First performance of Bernstein’s opera A Quiet Place, revised version, 1984 |
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| Vinzenze Altarpiece - Wood (c. 1458) by Jaume Huguet |
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| June 20 | MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Joseph Martin Kaus (German-Swedish composer), b. 1756; Carl Friedrich Abel (German-English composer and gambist), d. 1787; Jacques Offenbach (German-French cellist & composer), b. 1819; Arthur Whiting (American pianist & composer), b. 1861; Wilfrid Pelletier (Canadian conductor), b. 1896; Carl Haverlin (American arts administrator), b. 1899; Helen Traubel (American soprano), b. 1899; Arne Nordheim (Norwegian composer), b. 1931; First performance of Moross’ ballet Frankie and Johnny, 1938; Jehan Alain (French organist & composer), d. 1940; André Watts (American pianist), b. 1946; First performance of Britten’s opera Albert Herring, 1947; First performance of Hindemith’s opera Cardillac, 2nd version, 1952; First performance of Creston’s Dance Variations, 1961; First performance of Penderecki’s opera The Devils of Loudun, 1969 |
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| St. Vincent and a Donor - Panel (1450-1500) by an Unknown Spanish Master |
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| June 21 | Lutheran commemoration of Onesimos Nesib, translator, evangelist, 1931 Nesib was born in western Ethiopia of Oromo people, captured by slave traders, bought and freed by Swedish missionaries who educated, converted him, and commissioned him to return to his people as a missionary. Although Ethiopia had been a Christian country since the 4th-century, changes in language caused there to be no vernacular translation of the Bible by the 19th-century. Nesib is remembered for translating the Bible into Oromo and ministering to his people. Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Aloysius Gonzana, 1591 Born into a noble family who destined him for a life in the military and at court, Gonzaga had a spiritual awakening as a child, an awakening that deepened as he grew up and saw more of the courtly life of dissolution. After a prolonged battle with his family over the issue, he joined the Jesuits in order to become a missionary. However, study and penance took him in another direction: a plague struck Rome and the Jesuits opened a hospital where all the seminarians cared for the sick. Gonzaga caught the disease and died at age 23. He is remembered for his extraordinary and ascetic prayer discipline. MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach (German composer), b. 1732; First performance of Handel’s opera Acis and Galetea, English/Italian version, 1732; Henry Holden Huss (American pianist & composer), b. 1862; First performance of Wagner’s opera em>Die Meistersinger von Nürenberg, 1868; Hermann Scherchen (German conductor), b. 1891; Hilding Rosenberg (Swedish composer), b. 1892; Alois Hába (Czech composer), b. 1893; Avery Claflin (American composer), b. 1898; Louis Krasner (Ukranian-American violinist), b. 1903; Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (Russian composer), d. 1908; Lalo Schifrin (Argentinian-American composer), b. 1932; First performance of Glass’ opera La Belle et la Bête, 1994; Alan Hovhaness (American composer), d. 2000 |
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| The Blessing Christ – Oil on panel (c. 1492) by Fernando Gallego |
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| June 22 | Episcopal commemoration of Alban, First Martyr of Britain, c. 304 While a soldier in the Roman Army, Alban sheltered a Christian priest who was fleeing arrest. The two talked over several days and Alban became a Christian. When officials came to arrest the priest, Alban was wearing his coat and was arrested in his place. He refused to recant his new faith and was beheaded thereby becoming the first Christian martyr in the British Isles. The second was his executioner, who upon hearing his testimony became a Christian and refused to execute him, and the third was the priest, who upon hearing that Alban had been arrested in his place went to the court to try to save him by turning himself in. Feast of St. Thomas More, 1535
Roman Catholic essay; Franciscan audio essay. |
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| The Martyrdom of St. Maurice - Oil on canvas (1580-1581) by El Greco |
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| June 23 | Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Joseph Cafasso, 1860 Cafasso worked for a balance in piety between the knowledge of one’s sin and confidence in God’s mercy, a balance he proclaimed equally to seminarians, priests and condemned prisoners. He is remembered for his opposition to Jansenism, an excessive preoccupation with sin and damnation. He was one of many spiritual giants who spent long hours in prayer. MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Carl Reinecke (German pianist), b. 1824; Clarence Eddy (American organist), b. 1851; Blair Fairchild (American composer), b. 1877; John Finley Williamson (American music educator), b. 1887; Mieczyslaw Horszowski (Polish pianist), b. 1892; Lois Boren Scholes (American organist & music educator), b. 1894; Richard F. French (American music critic), b. 1915; Francis Thorne (American composer), b. 1922; Henri Pousseur (Belgian composer), b. 1929; Reinhold Gliére (Soviet composer), d. 1956 |
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| The Blessing of the Chausable to St. Ildefonso - Wood (1490s) by an Unknown Spanish Master |
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| June 24 | Feast of the Birth of John the Baptist
Lutheran & Episcopal essay; Greek Orthodox icon; Franciscan audio essay. |
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| The Embrace - Panel (1480-1490) by Master of Avila |
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| June 25 | Lutheran commemoration of the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession, 1530 The Emperor called the Diet in an attempt to heal the division of the Christian Church. The course of events, however, forced the division to harden. Luther was still outlaw; so Melanchthon was his spokesman at the Diet, and, using Luther’s materials, moved the original Apology (statement of belief) into a Confession (standard of belief). The Confession is a type of constitution of the Lutheran movement. Lutheran Commemoration of Philipp Melanchthon, renewer of the Church, 1560 Melanchthon was heavily influenced by the humanism of the age which included the new world view of Copernicus and saw the invention of the printing press which transformed European culture from a visual one to a literate (and auditory) one. A man of enormous scholarship, he wanted to take his master’s examination at age 15, but could not because the faculty thought him too young to represent the community of scholars. He is remembered for this association with Luther, and for the influence he had on the Lutheran Reformation. MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Hucbald (Dutch music theorist & composer), d. 930; Georg Philipp Telemann (German composer), d. 1767; E.T.A. Hoffmann (German composer & author), d. 1822; First performance of Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 2 ”Lobegesang”, 1840; First performance of Schumann’s opera Genoveva, 1850; Gustave Charpentier (French composer), b. 1860; Katherine K. Davis (American composer & pianist), b. 1892; Hans Barth (German-American pianist & composer), b. 1897; First performance of Stravinsky’s ballet The Firebird, 1910; First performance of de Falla’s opera El retablo de maese Pedro, 1923; Kurt Schwertsik (Austrian composer), b. 1935; First performance of Still’s choral ballad And They Lynched Him on a Tree, 1940 |
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| David - Bronze sculpture (1912) by Zsigmond Kisfaludi Strobl |
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| June 26 | Greek Orthodox icon commemorating David the Righteous of Thessalonika, 6th century David was an ascetic who spent several years living in the branches of an almond tree, exposed to the elements. His actions remind us of the contrast between asceticism and modern living. The icon also reminds us of the trees of the Bible – the Tree of Life and the Tree of Salvation – and that the eagle that soars up to the heavens lives in the tree as did David. Greek Orthodox icon commemorating the miraculous appearance of the icon of the Holy Lady, 1383 This icon of the Madonna and Child, with its legend of miraculous travel from place to place, give us opportunity to reflect upon the mysterious appearances of God’s grace in our lives. MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Leopold Kozeluh (Bohemian composer), b. 1747; First performance of Wagner’s opera Die Walküre, 1870; Frieda Hempel (German soprano), b. 1885; Richard Crooks (American tenor), b. 1900; Leonid Hambro (American pianist), b. 1920; Jacob Druckman (American composer), b. 1928; Nicolas Tcherepnin (Russian composer), d. 1945 |
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| Jeremiah – Fresco (1511) by Michelangelo |
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| June 27 | Feast of St. Cyril of Alexandria, 444
Roman Catholic essay; Franciscan audio essay. |
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| Portrait of a Young Gentleman - Oil on canvas (1605-1610) by El Greco |
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| June 28 | Feast of St. Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, c. 202
Lutheran & Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay. |
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| The Adoration of the Shepherds - Oil on canvas (1578-1580) by El Greco - detail |
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| June 29 | Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
Lutheran & Episcopal essay; Greek Orthodox icon; Franciscan audio essay. |
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| Isaiah – Panel (c. 1516) by Fra Bartolomeo |
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| June 30 | Lutheran commemoration of Johan Olof Wallin, Archbishop of Uppsala, hymn writer, 1839 Sweden’s best known hymnist, Wallin was a great preacher who became Primate of Sweden. Greek Orthodox icon commemorating the Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles This icon give us opportunity to meditate on the ordinary people to whom Christ entrusted the church, and on the church we ordinary people are to be. Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating Blessed Raymond Lull, 1315 Lull was a Secular Franciscan who spent his life promoting missions among the Muslims of North Africa. He died when, in backlash, an angry crown of Muslims stoned him. He is remembered for his response to the apostolic mission. Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome, 64 Although there were Christians in Rome very soon after Jesus’ death, they were still identified as Jews. Possibly as a result of conflict between Jews and Jewish Christians, the Emperor Suetonius expelled all Jews (and Christians) from Rome. Many, however, would have returned after his death in 54 AD. They would have been there for the persecution under Nero in 64 when they were blamed for the great fire; many were executed, including probably Peter and Paul. They are remembered for persevering through opposition to the gospel. MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Georg Benda (Bohemian composer), b. 1722; Everett Titcomb (American composer), b. 1884; Laszlo Lajtha (Hungarian composer), b. 1892; Donald M. Wilson (American composer), b. 1937; Esa-Pekka Salonen (Finnish composer & conductor), b. 1958; Federico Mompou (Spanish composer), d. 1987 |
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| Retable of the High Altar, (detail), Huesca Cathedral – Marble (1520-1534) by Damian Forment |
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| July 1 | Lutheran commemoration of Catherine Winkworth, hymn writer, 1878 Winkworth was an English author who lived in Germany for five years as a young woman; there she became fluent in the language and thus began her ministry of translation of German hymns into English. Her translations were faithful to the original, yet poetical. Despite her pivotal role in developing higher education for women in England, she is remembered for her hymn translations. Franciscan audio essay commemorating Brother Junipero Serra, 1784 Spanish-born Brother Juniper founded his seventh mission, that of Capistrano in California, in the year of the Declaration of Independence. After years of study and teaching, he became a missionary in the New World. He was not only spiritually “successful” in his mission, but he won legislation in Mexico City for the civil rights of Native Americans, and worked for a decent standard of living for them. Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Cosmas & Damian the Holy Unmercenaries, 294 These saints were physicians who healed in exchange for a confession of faith in Christ. They were martyred for their troubles. Lutheran commemoration of John Mason Neale, hymn writer, 1866 Ill health prevented Neale from shepherding a parish, so he spent his entire ministry as chaplain of an almshouse. Because he was a Catholic in England, in that era he was persecuted for supposed subversive attitudes. He is remembered for his basic goodness, and for the hymns of his own composition and the translations of Eastern liturgies and hymns into English, many of which are still widely used. MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (German composer), d. 1784; Josef A. Pasternack (Polish composer & conductor), b. 1881; Erik Satie (French composer), d. 1925; Hans Werner Henze (German composer), b. 1926; First performance of Bartók’s Piano Concerto No. 1, 1927; First performance of Strauss’ opera Arabella, 1927; Pierre Monteux (French conductor), d. 1964; First performance of Sallinen’s opera The King Goes Forth to France, 1984; First performance of Diamond’s Symphony No. 10, 2000; First performance of Lazarof’s Legends from the Bible, 2001 | |||
| The New Adam – Oil on canvas (1924) by Sándor Bortnyik |
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| July 2 | Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Oliver Plunkett, 1681 Plunkett was an Irish priest and Archbishop of Armagh who was martyred by the English during a period of severe persecution, when services were held and pastoral work was done in secret.< br /> MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Arp Schnitger (German organ builder), b. 1648; Christoph Willibald Gluck (German composer), b. 1714; Jean-Jacques Rousseau (French composer & music critic), d. 1778; First performance of Sibelius’ tone poem Finlandia, 1900; Olga Koussevitzky (Russian-American philanthropist & wife of conductor Sergei Koussevitsky), b. 1901; Carl Weinrich (American organist & teacher), b. 1904; Frederick Fennell (American conductor), b. 1914; First performance of Gershwin’s musical Show Girls, 1929; First performance of Carperter’s Symphony No. 2 (revised version), 1949; First performance of Larsen’s Deep Summer Music for orchestra, 1983 |
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| The New Eve – Oil on canvas (1924) by Sándor Bortnyik |
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| July 3 | Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle
Roman Catholic essay; Franciscan audio essay. |
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| Creation – Bronze Sculpture (1932) by Dezrö Bokros Birkman |
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| July 4 | Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Elizabeth of Portugal, 1336 Elizabeth established the self-discipline and spirituality necessary to be a peacemaker and generous giver of charity at an early age. Despite her husband’s scandalous infidelity to her, she spent her adult life working for peace among the various claimants to the throne, and between her son, eventually the king of Portugal and his son-in-law, the king of Castile. She ended her life as a Franciscan tertiary, a lay woman living the monastic life. She is remembered for the example of her peacemaking.< br /> br /> MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Philippe de Monte (Flemish composer), d. 1603; William Byrd (English composer), d. 1623; Louis Claude Daquin (French organist & composer), b. 1694; Stephen Foster (American song composer), b. 1826; First performance of the national hymn, America, 1831; William Walter Carruth (Ameircan organist & composer), b. 1884; Heinrich Kaminski (German composer), b. 1886; Samuel Chotzinoff (Russian-American pianist & critic), b. 1889; First performance of Sibelius’ Symphony No. 1 (final version), 1900; Flor Peeters (Belgian organist & composer), b. 1903; H. Howard Taubman (American music critic), b. 1907; Alec Templeton (American composer, pianist & satyrist), b. 1909; Mitchell Miller (American conductor), b. 1911; First performance of Vaughan Williams’ English Folk Song Suite, 1923; Catherine Berberian (American mezzo-soprano & composer), b. 1925; First performance of Piston’s Concerto for Two Pianos & Orchestra, 1964; First performance of Amram’s Honor Song for Sitting Bull for cello & orchestra, 1983 |
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| St Sebastian between St Bernard and St Francis – Oil on panel (1582) by Alonzo Sanchez Coello |
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| July 5 | Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Anthony Zaccaria, 1539 One of the early workers for the Counter-Reformation, Anthony founded three religious communities, one for men, one for women, and association of married couples for the reform of decadent society and church. He poured so much energy into his work that he died at the early age of 36. He is remembered for his prophetic preaching that reminded people that they were not without sin. Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Athanasios of Athos, 10th century A man of such great holiness that people of all social and economic classes came to be instructed by him, Athanasios began building a new church on Mount Athos. He and several others were killed when the dome collapsed on them during its construction. This icon portrays him being instructed by the Virgin Mother, the Theotokos, with Mount Athos in the background.< br /> MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: William Crotch (English organist & composer), b. 1775; Wanda Landowska (Polish-French harpsichorist), b. 1877; Lawrence Gilman (American music critic), b. 1878; Josef Holbrooke (English composer & pianist) b. 1878; Jan Kubelík (Czech violinist), b. 1889; Gordon Jacob (English composer), b. 1895; Paul Ben-Haim (German-Israeli composer), b. 1897; George Rochberg (American composer), b. 1918; Kenneth Gaburo (American composer & teacher), b. 1926; First performance of Vaughan William’s ballet (em>Job, 1931; Astor Piazolla (Argentinian composer & bandonionist), c. 1992; First performance of Bassett’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone & Orchestra, 2000 |
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| Eve – Wood (1666-1667) by Alonso Cano |
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| July 6 | Lutheran commemoration of Jan Hus, martyr, 1415 Hus was a Czech who brought John Wycliffe’s teachings to his nation. He and King Wenceslas were Bohemian nationalists who opposed the Pope on political issues and on the sale of indulgences. Thus, Hus was the link between Wycliffe and Martin Luther. He was burned at the stake for heresy when, in the interest and ridding his nation of the reputation of heresy, the king finally turned his back on him. The Burial of St. Wenceslas - Oil on wood (c. 1490-1500) by Master of EggenburgSt. Wenceslas - Oil on canvas (1760s) by Franz Anton Maulbertsch Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Sisoes the Great, 4th c. Renowned among the ascetic hermits of Egypt, upon St. Anthony’s death, Sisoes went to live in his cave. After a life of renunciation, his death was reputed to have been preceded by visions and accompanied by light and lightening. This icon portrays him kneeling in adoration at the grave of Anthony. We remember him as a reminder that the renunciation of broken value systems, though rarely required to be as severe as his, is essential to the Christian life. Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Maria Goretti, 1902 At the age of twelve, Maria was killed by a neighbor in an attempted rape. Her murderer was sentenced to a long prison term during which time he had a vision of Maria who had received her last Communion and forgiven him just before she died. The vision was of Maria gathering flowers and offering them to him. Upon his release from prison, his first act was to ask forgiveness of Maria’s mother; he was also present at her canonization. She is remembered as a supreme example of forgiveness of one’s enemies seventy times seven.< br /> MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Alberto Nepomuceno (Brazilian composer), b. 1864; Emile Jaques-Dalcroze (Swiss music educator), b. 1865; Hans Eisler (German composer), b. 1898; Dame Elizabeth Lutyens (English composer), b. 1906; David Stanley Smith (American composer, conductor & educator), b. 1877; Max Hinrichsen (German music publisher), b. 1901; Robert Whitney (American composer, conductor & educator), b. 1904; John Milton Ward (American musicologist), b. 1917; Charles Whittenberg (American composer), b. 1927; Vladimir Ashkenazy (Russian conductor & pianist), b. 1937; First performance of Bassett’s Variations for Orchestra, 1963; First performance of Del Tredici’s Syzygy, 1968; Louis Armstrong (American jazz trumpeter), d. 1971; Otto Klemperer (German conductor & composer), d. 1973; First performance of Tippett’s opera The Ice Break, 1977; Joaquin Rodrigo (Spanish composer), d. 1999 |
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| Saints Michael and Francis – Tempera and oil on wood (1505-1509) by Juan de Flandes |
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| July 7 | Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Kyriaki the Great Martyr, c. 300 She was martyred in Asia Minor during Diocletian’s reign. Her death by beheading came after torture, but was preceded by a pause for prayer. The icon shows her wearing the red robe of martyrdom and a white shawl for her purity. With a facial expression of the peace that she knew as she died, she blesses the onlooker.< br /> MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Gustav Mahler (Austrian composer and conductor), b. 1860; Gian Carlo Menotti (Italian-born American composer and conductor), b. 1911; Ringo Starr (Beatles drummer and songwriter) (of the Beatles), b. 1940; First performance of Moore’s opera The Ballade of Baby Doe, 1956; Leo Sowerby (American organist and composer), d. 1968; First performance of Williams’ Cello Concerto, 1994 |
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| The Hermit (Il Solitario) – Oil on canvas (1908) by John Singer Sargent |
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| July 8 | Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Gregory Grassi and Companions (1900) Gregory was an Italian missionary in China, who got caught in the middle of the anti-foreigner passion of the Boxer Rebellion. He, along with fourteen other European missionaries and fourteen Chinese religious, was martyred by hacking. Their deaths served as a stimulus for growth, however, and Franciscans efforts doubled the number of Christians in China over the next quarter century.< br /> MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Friedrich Chrysander (German music historian & critic), b. 1826;Fernando Sor (Spanish composer), d. 1839; Percy Aldrich Grainger (Australian-born American composer and pianist), b. 1882; Storer B. Lunt (American publisher – W.W. Norton), b. 1897; Otto E. Albrecht (American musicologist), b. 1899; George Antheil (American composer), b. 1900; Hans T. David (German-American musicologist), b. 1902; First performance of Thompson’s “Alleluia”, 1940; First performance of Berkeley’s Symphony No. 1, 1942; First performance of Weir’s opera A Night at the Chinese Opera, 1987; First performance of Glass’s opera The Making of the Representative for Planet 8, 1988; First performance of William’s Tree Song for violin & orchestra, 2000 |
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| Black Methodists Holding a Prayer Meeting – Watercolor and black ink (1811-ca. 1813) by Pavel Petrovich Svinin |
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| July 9 | Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions, 17th – 20th c. Freedom or persecution of Christians in China depended on that nation’s political relations with the outside world. Augustine Zhao Rong typifies the 120 martyrs in China from 1648 to 1930; of this group 87 were Chinese and 33 were foreigners. This martyr was a Chinese soldier who became a diocesan priest and accompanied a foreign Bishop to his martyrdom. Though Christianity was, and is, seen as an ally of Western enemies, these martyrs are remembered for witnessing to the fact that the gospel is intended to benefit all people.< br /> MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Giovanni Bonocini (Italian opera composer), d. 1747; Ottorino Respighi (Italian composer), b. 1879; Richard Hageman (Dutch-American conductor, pianist, composer & actor), b. 1882; David Diamond (American composer), b. 1915; Maro Ajemian (Amereican pianist), b. 1924; Paul Chihara (Japanese-American composer), b. 1938; First performance of Hartmann’s opera Simplicius Simplicissimus (revised version), 1957; Edward Burlington Hill (American composer), d. 1960; First performance of Berkeley’s Symphony No. 3, 1969; Randall Thompson (American composer and teacher), d. 1984 |
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| The Puritan – Bronze sculpture (1883-1886; c. 1899) by Augustus Saint-Gaudens |
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| July 10 | Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Veronica Giuliani, 1727 Veronica’s faith was so intense that she wanted to be crucified like Christ; her passion was rewarded by the stigmata. Catholic theology teaches that the external signs of the cross in a person’s body are a confirmation of that person’s commitment in the heart. Veronica dedicated the suffering the stigmata caused to missions, an attitude that sounds like Pope John Paul II’s when he interpreted the suffering of his final years as a sharing in the suffering of the world.< br /> MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Henryk Wieniawski (Polish composer and violinist), b. 1835; Carl Orff (German composer and music educator), b. 1895; Jerry Herman (Broadway composer), b. 1933; Sir Donald Tovey (British composer and conductor), d. 1940; Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton (Jazz pianist and composer), d. 1941; Pavla Frijsh (Danish soprano), d. 1960; Arthur Fiedler (American conductor), d. 1979; Werner Egk (German composer), d. 1983 |
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| A Philadelphia Anabaptist Immersion during a Storm – Watercolor and black ink (1811-ca. 1813) by Pavel Petrovich Svinin |
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| July 11 | Feast of St. Benedict, Abbot of Monte Cassino, c. 540
Roman Catholic essay; Lutheran & Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay. |
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| St. Ildefonso - Oil on canvas (1610-1613) by El Greco |
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| July 12 | Lutheran commemoration of Nathan Söderblom, Archbishop of Uppsala, 1931 Scholar of comparative religion, linguist, liberal pastor, Archbishop of Uppsala, architect of the modern ecumenical movement and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, Nathan Söderblom is remembered for using his personal charm and his extraordinary academic qualifications to the cause of church unity in the 20th century. Franciscan audio essay commemorating John Jones, 1598, and John Wall, 1679 Welshman John Jones was a diocesan priest and Franciscan during the Protestant reign of Elizabeth I, and was hanged, drawn and quartered for refusing to recant his Roman faith. A century later, John Wall, and English Franciscan, was martyred when the people were agitated over an alleged papal plot to murder the king in order to restore Catholicism.< br /> MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Evarista dall’Abaco (Italian composer & violinist), b. 1675; First performance of Handel’s Concerto Grosso in F, op. 3 no. 4a, 1716; Johann Joachim Quantz (German composer and flutist), d. 1773; Clara Louise Kellogg (American soprano), b. 1842; Anton Arensky (Russian composer), b. 1861; Arne Oldberg (American composer, pianist & teacher), b. 1874; George Butterworth (English composer), b. 1885; Friedrich Hänssler (German theologian & musicologist), b. 1892; Oscar Hammerstein II (American musical theater lyricist), b. 1895; Kirsten Flagstad (Norwegian singer), b. 1895; First performance of Fauré’s Requiem (orchestrated version), 1900; Cecil Smith (American music critic), b. 1906; Van Cliburn (American pianist), b. 1934; First performance of Ginastera’s ballet Pananbi, 1940; First performance of Britten’s opera The Rape of Lucretia, 1946; Joseph Jongen (Belgian composer), d. 1953; First performance of Davies’ opera Taverner, 1972; First performance of Henze’s opera We Come to the River, 1976; First performance of Rouse’s Violin Concerto, 1992; First London performance of Lloyd-Webber’s musical Sunset Boulevard, 1993 |
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| Celebration of the Mass – Oil on canvas (ca. 1930-1935) by Harry Willson Watrous |
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| July 13 | Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Henry, 1024 Henry, German king and Holy Roman Emperor, followed the custom of the day and appointed bishops who were loyal to him. In the process, his personal integrity bore fruit resulting in a reform of church and monastic life. He is remembered for the positive way he used the power that resided in him. Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating Blessed Angeline of Marsciano, 1435 Angeline is remembered for her extraordinary defense of the institution of marriage. As a Secular Franciscan, she and several other women cared for the sick, the poor, widows and orphans. Over her lifetime, she founded sixteen communities of women in such service.< br /> MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: First performance of Mendelssohn’s Double Concerto for two pianos & orchestra, 1829; Per Norgaard (Danish composer), b. 1932; Arnold Schoenberg (Austrian composer), d. 1951 |
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| Baptism - Oil on slate paper (1870s) by William P. Chappel |
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| July 14 | Franciscan audio essay commemorating Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, 1680 Kateri was an Algonquin who was raised by an uncle who hated the Jesuit missionaries. She was converted, and because of it was treated as a slave. Her ascetic spirituality was totally foreign to native culture that she was always in danger for her life until she walked the two hundred miles to Montreal. She is remembered as a reminder that holiness does not depend on circumstances; she had what all people need, the support of a community. Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Francis Solano, 1610 Francis was a Spanish priest who became a missionary to South America. He quickly learned the local languages and was well received by the people with whom he ministered. Perhaps one of his secrets was that he played songs on his violin for the sick when he visited them. He is remembered for calling the Spanish colonists back to their baptismal vows, and for his work defending the indigenous people from oppression. St. Francis of Solano Baptizing Indians - Oil on canvas (1770) by Johann Lucas Kracker< br />
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Jacob Stainer (American violin maker), b. 1621; Pelham Humfrey (English composer and chorister), d. 1674; Alexander Kopylov (Russian composer), b. 1854; Gerald Finzi (English composer), b. 1901; Putnam Aldrich (American musicologist & harpsichordist), b. 1904; David Burchuk (American violinist, conductor & teacher), b. 1912; Eric Stokes (American composer), b. 1930; First performance of Schuman’s Newsreel for orchestra, 1942; First performance of Weill’s folk opera Down in the Valley, 1948; First performance of Britten’s Spring Symphony, 1949; First performance of Kernis’ Concierto de Dance Hits, for guitar & orchestra, 1999 |
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| Angel - Wood sculpture (1769) by Károly Bebo |
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| July 15 | Feast of St. Bonaventure, 1274
Roman Catholic essay; Franciscan audio essay. |
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| The Martyrdom of St. Maurice - Oil on canvas (1580-1581) by El Greco - detail |
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| July 16 | MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Johann David Heinichen (German composer and lawyer), buried 1729; Jacques-Martin Hotteterre (French flutist and composer), d. 1763; First performance of Mozart’s opera The Abduction from the Seraglio, 1782; Eugène Ysaÿe (Belgian composer), b. 1858; Fannie Bloomfield Zeisler (Austrian-American pianist), b. 1863; Edward J. Dent (British writer on music), b. 1876; Fritz Mahler (Austrian conductor and composer), b. 1901; Goffredo Petrassi (Italian composer), b. 1904; Geoffrey Burgon (English composer), b. 1941; James MacMillan (Scottish composer), b. 1959; First performance of Barnett’s Meeting at Seneca Falls for soloists, narrator & chamber ensemble, 1998 |
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| African Musical Instruments in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Tzetze - Kenya (late 19th c.) by an unknown artist Balo - African (19th c.) by an unknown artist Eroro - Kenyan (19th c.) by an unknown artist Drum - Ghana (early 20th c.) by Ashanti people |
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| July 17 | Lutheran commemoration of Bartolomé de Las Casas, missionary to the Indies, 1566 A Spanish colonist, Dominican priest, founder of a utopian community, scholar and historian, Bartolome’s actual achievements are debated. He was present during genocidal attacks on the people of Cuba, repented, was ordained a priest, and is remembered as an energetic advocate for the rights of indigenous people when such activism was not in vogue. Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating Servant of God Francis Garcis and Companions, c. 1781 Mexican by birth and a Franciscan priest by vocation, Francis Garces ministered to native Americans in the Southwest. He and several fellow Friars were killed during an uprising brought about by too close a connection between Catholicism and Spanish rule. Episcopal commemoration of William White, Bishop of Pennsylvania, 1836 One of the earliest Anglican bishops in America, he was the first bishop of Pennsylvania, Chaplain of the Continental Congress and then of the Senate. He was largely responsible for the system of church government still used by the Protestant Episcopal Church. Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Marina the Great Martyr of Antioch, 270 Marina was martyred by beheading during the reign of Claudius II. This icon shows her in the red robe of martyrdom. She is remembered for casting out demons. St. Margaret (Marina) - Alabaster and gilt sculpture (c. 1475) by an unknown French Master< br />
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Eduard Reményi (Hungarian violinist), b. 1830; August Söderman (Swedish composer), b. 1832; Thorvald Otterstrom (Danish composer & teacher), b. 1868; Sir Donald Tovey (English composer, pianist, and music scholar), b. 1875; Henri Zagwijn (Dutch composer), b. 1878; Everett Helm (American composer and writer), b. 1913; Eleanor Steber (American singer), b. 1914; Esther Williamson Ballou (American composer & teacher), b. 1915; First performance of Milhaud’s opera L’enlèvement d’Europe, 1927; Niccoló Castiglioni (Italian composer, pianist & writer on music), b. 1932; Peter Schickele (American composer and musical satirist), b. 1935; Gabriel Pierné (French composer and conductor), d. 1937; John Coltrane (Jazz saxophonist), d. 1967; First performance of Sallinen’s opera The Horseman, 1975; First performance of Berkeley’s Cello Concerto, 1983 |
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| Adoring Angel - Bronze sculpture (1733-35) by Georg Raphael Donner |
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| July 18 | MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Hermannus Contractus (German composer & music theorist), b. 1013; Jacobus Gallus (Slav composer), d. 1591; Giovanni Bononcini (Italian opera composer), b. 1670; First performance of Handel’s Utrecht Te Deum, 1713; First performance of Cherubini’s opera Lodoiska, 1791; PaulineViardot-Garcia (French mezzo-soprano), b. 1821; Hugo Riemann (German music theorist), b. 1849; Emil Mlynarski (Polist conductor, violinist, teacher & composer), b. 1870; Julius Fucik (Czech composer), b. 1872; Bernard Wagenaar (Dutch-born American composer), b. 1894; Harold Spivacke (American pianist, teacher & writer on music), b. 1904; First performance of Miaskovsky’s Symphony No. 5, 1920; R. Murray Schafrer (Canadian composer), b. 1933; Roger Reynolds (American composer), b. 1934; Vitezslav Novák (Czech composer), d. 1949; Tobias Picker (American composer), b. 1954; First performance of Panufnik’s Violin Concerto, 1972; First performance of Stockhausen’s multi-media Sirius, 1976 |
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| Pair of Apostles - Stone relief (1932) by Pál Pátzay |
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| July 19 | Feast of St. Gregory of Nyssa and Macrina
Roman Catholic essay; Episcopal essay. |
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| Madonna and Child - Marble (1921-1922) by Frank Lynn Jenkins |
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| July 20 | Episcopal commemoration of Pioneers of Black Rights and Women’s Rights, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Amelia Bloomer, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Ross Tubman Originally known as Isabella, the slave became known as Sojourner because, after escaping slavery, she travelled so much as an evangelist, a citizen of heaven and a wanderer on earth. She took the surname Truth because God was her father and He is Truth. (1883) Tubman was active in the underground railroad, making at least nineteen trips into Maryland to help more than three hundred slaves escape. (1913) Stanton was tireless in travelling to give speeches promoting women’s rights and political equality. (1902) One of Bloomer’s concerns about women’s issues had to do with the negative health implications of the tightly laced corsets; another with the lack of cleanliness of long trailing skirts in streets full of horses; others were slavery, alcohol and granting the vote to women. (1894) The date of the commemoration is that of the Women’s Rights Convention in 1984. Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Apollinaris, 1st century Apollinaris was exiled from Ravenna three times for preaching the gospel, once after a beating and once after being tortured. The fourth time he returned, he was beaten to death. He is remembered for risking all rather than abandoning his God-given vocation. Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Elias the Prophet, 895 Elijah was so zealous for God that he caused a drought to get the attention of the Queen. While in the desert during that drought, ravens brought him food. The drought ended when he defeated the priests of Baal in a contest to bring fire from heaven upon an altar. This icon shows him in the desert being attended to by ravens.< br /> MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: John Christopher (Johann Christoph) Pepusch (German-born English composer and conductor), b. 1667 - d. 1752; Henry B. Tremaine (American organ builder), b. 1866; Déodat de Severac (French composer), b. 1872; Ernest Hutcheson (Australian pianist, composer & teacher), b. 1874; Rudolph Kolisch (Austrian violinist), b. 1896; Gunnar de Frumerie (Swedish composer), b. 1908; First performance of Stravinsky’s Grande Suite, 1920; First performance of Schoenberg’s Serenade for orchestra, 1924; First performance of Miaskovsky’s symphony No. 23, 1942; First performance of Xenakis’ Achorripsis, for 21 instruments, 1958; First performance of Feldman’s Mme. Press Died Last Week at Ninety for orchestra, 1970 |
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| Study for Christ at the House of Lazarus - Oil on canvas (early 20th century) by Henry Ossawa Tanner |
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| July 21 | Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Lawrence of Brindisi, 1619 Who would expect a man who was fluent in eight languages and a scholar of philosophy and theology to also exhibit great compassion for people, but Lawrence had such an extraordinary combination of all these that he quickly became head of the Capuchins, and oversaw their great expansion. He is remembered for his ability to balance the various gifts God gave him to their maximum effectiveness.< br /> MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: St. Filippo Neri (Italian priest & impresario), b. 1515; First performance of Handel’s oratorio Athalia, 1733; Johann Nepomuk Maelzel (German inventor of the metronome), d. 1838; Herbert Witherspoon (American bass & opera manager), b. 1873; Carl Engel (French-American pianist & musicologist), b. 1883; Irving Schwerké (French-American music critic), b. 1893; Jean Rivier (French composer), b. 1896; Luther Noss (American organist & conductor), b. 1907; Walter Rubsamen (American composer), b. 1911; Isaac Stern (Ukranian-American violinist), b. 1920; Albert Fuller (American harpsichordist & teacher), b. 1926; First performance of Hindemith’s ballet St. Francis, 1938 |
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| Portrait of a Gentleman from Casa de Leiva - Oil on canvas (1580) by El Greco |
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| July 22 | Feast of St. Mary Magdalene
Lutheran & Episcopal essay; Roman Catholic audio essay; Greek Orthodox icon. |
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| Jesus Christ - Stained glass (1933) by Lily Árkayné/sztehló |
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| July 23 | Commemoration of St. Bridget of Sweden, 1373
Lutheran commemoration; Franciscan audio essay. |
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| Praying Savior - Oil on canvas (1903) by Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka |
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| July 24 | Episcopal Feast of St. Thomas a Kempis This saint is known almost entirely for his manual of spiritual advice, The Imitation of Christ. Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Sharbel Makhlouf, 1898 Lebanese villager Joseph Zaroun Maklouf lived most of his life as a hermit, but his reputation for holiness caused people to seek him out for a blessing and to be remembered in his prayers. His memory reminds us of the diversity of the church and God’s calling, some to withdrawal and some to activism. Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Christina the Great Martyr of Tyre, 200 When Christina became a Christian, she destroyed her pagan father’s idols and gave the gold and silver pieces to the poor. He had her imprisoned, where she was tortured and disfigured before she was killed. Her icon shows her with a determined face, a hand raised in blessing, and dressed in the red of martyrdom.< br /> MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Benedetto Marcello (Italian composer), d. 1739; Adolph-Charles Adam (French opera composer), b. 1803; Percy A. Scholes (English writer on music), b. 1877; Ernest Bloch (Swiss-born American composer), b. 1880; Klaus Pringsheim (German composer, conductor & t; eacher), b. 1883Leo (Noël) Arnaud (French-born American composer and arranger), b. 1904; Charles Warren Fox (American Music Librarian), b. 1904; Ruggiero Ricci (Italian-American violinistg), b. 1918; Leo Kraft (American composer), b 1922; Adele Addison (American soprano), b. 1925; First performance of Hindemith’s Concert Music for Winds, Op. 4, 1926; First performance of Strauss’ opera Friedenstag, 1938; First performance of Ginastera’s opera Don Rodrigo, 1964; Alan Rawsthorne (British composer), d. 1971; First performance of Brusa’s Favole for chamber orchestra, 1983; First performance of Torke’s opera Strawberry Fields, 1995 |
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| St. Francis and Brother Rufus Praying before the Crucifix - Oil on canvas (1600-1606) by El Greco |
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| July 25 | Feast of St. James the Greater, the Apostle
Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay. |
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| Crucifix - Bronze sculpture (1892) by János Fadrusz |
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| July 26 | Commemoration of the Parents of the Virgin Mary
Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay. |
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| Stained Glass Window Design - Oil on canvas (1948) by György Hegyi |
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| July 27 | Episcopal commemoration of William Reed Huntington, Priest, 1909 Never a bishop, this parish priest had extraordinary influence on the Episcopal Church of his age because he was a prominent member of thirteen consecutive General Conventions. He was instrumental in restoring the Order of Deaconesses and in a major revision of the Book of Common Prayer. The Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral was of his composition: Scriptures, Creeds, Sacraments, and Ministry.< br /> MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Vladimir de Pachmann (Russian-German pianist), b. 1848; Enrique Granados (Spanish composer and conductor), b. 1867; Ernö (Ernst) von Dohnányi (Hungarian composer and pianist), b. 1877; Harl McDonald (American composer), b. 1899; Igor Markevitch (Russian-born composer and conductor), b. 1912; Leonard Rose (American cellist), b. 1918; Ferruccio Busoni (Italian-German composer and pianist), d. 1924; First performance of Creston’s Prelude and Dance and A Rumor for orchestra, 1941; First performance of Herrmann’s Symphony No. 1, 1941 |
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| St. Adalbert - Oil on canvas (1855) by Mihály Kovács |
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| July 28 | Lutheran commemoration of J.S. Bach (1750), G.F. Handel (1759) & Heinrich Schütz (1672), musicians These three composers represent the crown jewels of Baroque music. Bach and Schütz were active church musicians and Handel’s milieu was the professional stage. All were German by birth, but Handel achieved his greatest triumphs in London. Although Handel was not an active church musician, his music (anthems and oratorios) has been used in worship and has inspired Christians for two-and-a-half centuries. Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Irene the Righteous of Chrysovalantou, 9th c. Irene was to be wife of the Emperor, but chose the monastic habit instead of imperial robes. Threatened by demon possession, she was given the gift of clairvoyance and visions. This icon portrays Irene’s facial beauty with two apples of Paradise. MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: First performance of Handel’s Water Music, 1717; Antonio Vivaldi (Italian compser), d. 1741; Johann Sebastian Bach (German composer), d. 1750; First performance of Spohr’s opera Jessonda, 1823; Bernard Henrik Crusell (Finnish composer), d. 1838; First performance of Berlioz’ Symphonie funebre et triomphale, 1840; Rued Langgaard (Danish composer), b. 1893; Frank Loesser (American songwriter and musical composer), d. 1969 |
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| Crucifix - Terra cotta (1948) by Margit Kovács |
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| July 29 | Commemoration of Sts. Mary and Martha
Lutheran & Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay. |
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| David - Marble sculpture (1409) by Donatello |
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| July 30 | Episcopal commemoration of William Wilberforce, 1833 When considering his lifework, he considered several options, including the ministry, but decided he could best serve God by being a politician in his native England. His lifelong habit was to set aside Sundays and a time each morning for prayer and religious reading. In addition to other social causes, he is remembered for his unswerving commitment to the abolition of slavery. Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Leopold Mandic, 1942 St. Leopold was a Capuchin Franciscan whose best work was in the confessional where he dispensed spiritual advice for many hours each day. His chronic poor health prevented him from achieving his dream—going to the Orthodox Christians and working for the reunion of East and West. However, he is remembered for his dream, for his daily prayers in its behalf, and for his sense that God’s grace is simply awaiting human cooperation. Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Peter Chrysologus, 450? Peter became a bishop as a very young man, and used the weapon of a short sermon in his fight against paganism in his diocese. Those sermons were so theologically sound and historically significant that thirteen centuries later he was designated a doctor of the church. He is remembered for his teaching ministry and his support for learning. Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Silas & Silvanos the Apostles of the 70 Silas and Silvanus were fellow workers with Paul. This icon of Silas shows him in the red robe of martyrdom and the blue robe of purity. The scroll in his left hand suggests perhaps the New Testament writings in which he was mentioned. MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Gerald Moore (English pianist), b. 1899; Grant Johannesen (American pianist), b. 1921; Martin Bookspan (American announcer & commentator of music), b. 1926; First performance of Ellington’s The Golden Broom and the Golden Apples, 1965; First performance (belated) of Ives’ From the Steeples and the Mountains, 1965; Jon Leifs (Icelandic composer), d. 1968 |
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| Head of Christ - Antique glass (c. 1910) by Sándor Nagy |
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| July 31 | Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola, 1556
Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay. |
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Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee as thou deservest; |
St. Ignatius Loyola - Polychromed wood sculpture (c. 1600) by Juan Martinez Montañéz
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Joseph the Righteous of Arimathea
The only information we have about Joseph from the first century is the account in the Gospel that he asked for the body of Jesus so it could be buried properly. Later legend has embellished the account with an interesting link to the Arthurian story of the Holy Grail. This icon shows Joseph and others laying Jesus’ body in a tomb.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: François Gevaert (Belgian composer), b. 1828; Richard Aldrich (American music critic), b. 1863; Dorothy Lawton (American music librarian), b. 1874; Franz Liszt (Hungarian composer and pianist), d. 1886; Alexander Schreiner (German-American organist), b. 1901; Adrian Jan La Rue (American musicologist), b. 1918; First performance of Hindemith’s Kammermusik, No. 1, 1922; First performance of Gould’s Second American Sinfonietta, 1938; First performance of Rochberg’s opera The Confidence Man, 1982; First performance of Higdon’s Loco, 2004
(see July 31 for comment)
Pieta - Oil on canvas (c. 1575) by El Greco
Pieta (The Lamentation of Christ) - Oil on canvas (1571-1576) by El GrecoFranciscan audio essay commemorating St. Alphonsus Liguori, 1787
Alphonsus was a reformer of the pulpit and the confessional; for the former he replaced a pompous style of rhetoric with simplicity, and for the latter he led the way out of rigid legalism to a stance of kindness and moderation. He is remembered both for his spiritual writings and for his twenty-six years of itinerate preaching mission.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Francis Scott Key (American author of “The Star-Spangled Banner”), b. 1779; Hans Rott (Austrian composer), b. 1858; Henri Verbruggen (Belgian-American composer, conductor & violinist), b. 1873; Angela Diller (American pianist & teacher), b. 1877; Camil Van Hulse (American conductor & composer), b. 1897; William Steinberg (German-American conductor), b. 1899; Hisato Ozawa (Japanese composer), b. 1907; Jerome Moross (American composer), b. 1913; Lili Chookasian (American mezzo-soprano), b. 1917; Theo Adam (German bass-baritone), b. 1926; Lionel Bart (British composer & song writer), b. 1930; Gian-Francesco Maliperio (Italian composer & musicologist), d. 1973; First performance of Zwilich’s Concerto for Horn and String Orchestra, 1993
Eusebius’s ministry mission was to help settle the Catholic-Arian controversy, and his siding with the Catholics led to his exile. He is most remembered for that, but perhaps his greater contribution was in linking the monastic life with the clergy on the principle that the best example for lay persons to follow was priests who were formed in piety and virtue and living in community.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating the Translation of the Relics of Stephen the Protomartyr
While the veneration of relics is nowhere near the center of my faith, the first Christian martyr can, and should, be remembered more frequently than he is. This is an opportunity to do that. This icon portrays Stephen with the censor of the incense of his adoration of the Savior. The reliquary for his bones in his other hand reminds us of his example of offering his life to God as a witness to the lordship of Christ.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Peter Julian Eymard, 1868
This saint’s pilgrimage of faith was one of moving from a personal effort, and negative sin-focused, approach to spiritual maturity to a positive embrace of Christ-centered love in which living the gospel of God’s grace is the means of a growing and deepening faith. The self-giving of Christ in the Eucharist was, for Peter, empowerment for living out one’s baptism.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: First performance of Gluck’s opera Orphee, 2nd version, 1774; James Hewitt (English-American composer), d. 1827; Claire Dux (German soprano), b. 1885; Sir Arthur Bliss (English composer), b. 1891; Karl Amadeus Hartmann (German composer), b. 1905; Enrico Caruso (Italian tenor), d. 1921; Marvin David Levy (American composer), b. 1932; Anthony Payne (British composer), b. 1936; Pietro Mascagni (Italian composer), d. 1945; Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek (Austrian composer), d. 1945; First performance of Persichetti’s Piano Concerto, 1964; Carlos Chavez (Mexican composer & conductor), d. 1978; First performance of Matthews’ Romanza for cello & small orchestra, 1990; First performance of Doyle’s The Thistle and the Rose for soprano & chamber orchestra, 1990; First performance of Gowers’ Suite for solo violin &chamber orchestra, 1990;First performance of Harbison’s Three City Blocks for symphonic band, 1993
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Giovanni Battista Martini (Italian composer & teacher), d. 1784; First performance of Rossini’s opera Guillaume Tell, 1829; Louis Gruenberg (Russian-American composer), b. 1884; Warren D. Allen (American philanthropist & music collector), b. 1885; Alec Wyton (English-American organist), b. 1921; First performance of Schifrin’s cantata The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, 1967
John Vianney overcame great odds—academically to become a priest and against the prevailing culture of religious indifference and self-satisfaction to lead his parish to a more profound spirituality sensitivity. However, he is most remembered for his work in the confessional reconciling people to God.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Emil Mollenhauer (American violinist, composer & conductor), b. 1855; Italo Montemezzi (Italian composer), b. 1875; Emanuel Winternitz (Austrian-American musicologist), b. 1898; Louis Armstrong (American jazz trumpeter), b. 1901; William Schuman (American composer & educator), b. 1910; Franco Colombo (Italian tenor), b. 1911; David Raksin (American composer), b. 1912; Jess Thomas (American tenor), b. 1928; Siegfried Wagner (German composer & conductor), d. 1930; First performance of Tavener’s Song of the Cosmos, 2001;
This Roman basilica was built in the mid-fourth century and rededicated to Mary, whom the Council of Ephesus affirmed as Mother of God (“Theotokos”) in 431. It stands today in its original character as an early Roman building. While God is omnipresent, certain places are important for Christians: some because God’s presence is strongly sensed there; some because people’s lives have often been transformed by experiences there; and some because they commemorate great events or ideas of Christian history.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Marc’ Antonio Cesti (Italian composer), b. 1623; Leonardo Leo (Italian composer & organist), b. 1694; Ambroise Thomas (French composer), b. 1811; Oskar Merikanto (Finnish pianist, organist, conductor & composer), b. 1868; Erich Kleiber (Austrian-Argentinian conductor), b. 1890; Charles Henry Litolff (English-French composer, pianist & music publisher), d. 1891; Juan Carlos Paz (Argentinian composer), b. 1897; Vladimir Federov (Russian-French musicologist), b. 1901; George Butterworth (English composer), d. 1916; Betsy Jolas (American-French composer), b. 1926; First performance of DelTredici’s Vintage Alice, 1972
Feast of the Transfiguration
Episcopal essay; Roman Catholic audio essay; Greek Orthodox icon.This feast is itself an icon because it draws aside the veil that separates heaven and earth and gives us a glimpse of the Triune God. The icon in the Episcopal link references the Gospel story and adds two women among the onlookers; Christ is portrayed with crucifixion symbols. These symbols are present because in the Gospels this event marks the beginning of Jesus’ pilgrimage to Jerusalem and death. Some interpret the story as a post-resurrection statement of the life transformation accomplished in the lives of believers, thus making the marks of death already present in Jesus’ body. The Orthodox icon emphasizes God’s glory shining in Christ on the occasion.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Mary Louise Curtis Zimbalist (American philanthropist & founder of The Curtis Institute), b. 1876; Edward Ballantine (American music educator), b. 1886; Herbert F. Peyser (American music biographer), b. 1886; Ernst Victor Wolff (German pianist & harpsichordist), b. 1889; Henry Charles Litolff (English pianist & composer), d. 1891; Eduard Hanslick (Austrian music critic), d. 1904; Karl Ulrich Schnabel (Austrian pianist), b. 1909; Heinrich Lindlar (German musicologist & teacher), b. 1912; First performance of Von Einem’s opera Dantons Tod, 1947; Ingolf Dahl (German-American composer), d. 1970
Neale was a founder of the Camden Society at Cambridge which played a large role in the renewal of Catholic liturgy and art in England. He also influenced Anglican worship, but is most remembered for his hymns and translations of hymns.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Cajetan, 1557
St. Cajetan is remembered for his efforts to reform the “spirit and zeal of the clergy” just prior to the Council of Trent, the Counter-Reformation. Part of his approach was to join a religious community of “disreputables,” men of much lower social class than his own family. By that example, and by caring for the poor and sick, he performed a vital service to the church.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Charles Henry Litolff (English-French composer, pianist & music publisher), b. 1818; Granville Bantock (British composer), b. 1868; Alfred Caatalani (Italian composer), d. 1893; Ernesto Lecuona (Cuban composer), b. 1896; Saburo Moroi (Japanese composer), b. 1903; David Popper (Czech composer & cellist), d. 1913; Karel Husa (Czech-American composer & conductor), b. 1921; Helmut Kallmann (German-Canadian musicologist), b. 1922; Julaán Orbón (Spanish-American composer), b. 1925; First performance of Cerha’s opera Baal, 1981
Feast of St. Dominic, 1221
Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay.Dominic was a Spanish priest who is remembered for his preaching and skill in debating heresy with logic rather than force, in particular the Albigensians. Convinced that part of the problem in converting heretics was the wealth of some clergy, so he founded an Order of Preachers (O.P.) who lived in poverty and informally were known as the Dominicans, or Blackfriars because they wore black cloak.
St. Dominic Enthroned in Glory - Oil on panel (1474-1477) by Bartolomé BermejoSaint Dominic – Tempera on wood (c. 1472) by Carlo Crivelli
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Cécile Chaminade (French composer), b. 1857; Olga Samaroff Stokowski (American pianist & music critic), b. 1882; Pietro Yon (Italian-American organist & composer), b. 1886; Adolf Busch (German violinist, composer & conductor), b. 1891; Julius Mattfeld (American writer on music), b. 1893; André Jolivet (French composer), b. 1905; Carleton Sprague Smith (American musicologist), b. 1905; Jacques Hétu (Canadian composer), b. 1938; First performance of Poulenc’s ballet Les Animaux modèles, 1942; First performance of Piston’s Prelude and Allegro for organ and strings, 1943; Nikolai Miaskovsky (Russian composer), d. 1950; Jaromir Weinberger (Czech-American composer), d. 1967; First performance of Berio’s opera Un re in ascolto, 1984
Stein was a brilliant philosopher who abandoned religion as a teenager, but who was so captivated by reading the autobiography of Teresa of Avila that she began a journey that eventually led to her becoming a Carmelite nun. She was killed at Auschwitz because of her Jewish origin.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Michael Umlauff (Austrian composer, violinist & conductor), b. 1781; First performance of Berlioz’ opera Beatrice and Benedick, 1862; Reynaldo Hahn (Venezuelan-French composer, conductor & music critic), b. 1874; Albert William Ketèlby (English composer), b. 1875; Max Tak (Dutch composer), b. 1891; Zino Francescatti (French violinist), b. 1905; Ruggero Leoncavallo (Italian composer), d. 1919; Martha Bixler (American flautist & teacher), b. 1927; First performance of Orff’s opera Antigone, 1949; Dmitri Shostakovich (Soviet composer), d. 1975; First London performance of Lloyd Webber’s musical Jesus Christ Superstar, 1978; First performance of Brubeck’s oratorio Beloved Son, 1978; First performance of Hanson’s ballet Nymph and Satyr, 1979; Giacinto Scelsi (Italian composer), d. 1988; Suzanne Bloch (Swiss-American harpsichordist & lutenist teacher), b. 1907
Feast of St. Laurence, 258?
Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay.Laurence was chief deacon of the church at Rome in the third century. He, along with most of the clergy and laity of the upper classes, was executed for his faith during the persecution of Valerian. Later legend enhances this much fact with interesting detail that is not likely true. He has been remembered since the fourth century for his witness.
St. Lawrence Enthroned with Saints and Doctors – Tempera on wood (15th c.) by Fra Filippo LippiMUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Philipp Nicolai (German composer), b. 1556; Hieronymus Praetorius (German organist & composer), b. 1560; Michael Haydn (Austrian composer), d. 1806; William Henry Fry (American composer & journalist), b. 1813; Alexander Glazunlov (Russian composer), b. 1865; Clarence Cameron White (American violinist & composer), b. 1880; Douglas Moore (American composer), b. 1893; Alexander Mosolov (Soviet composer), b. 1900; Alexander Goehr (German-English composer), b. 1932; Giya Kancheli (Georgian composer), b. 1935; First performance of Schuman’s Philharmonic Fanfare for orchestra, 1965; First performance of Grofé’s Virginia City: Requiem for a Ghost Town for orchestra, 1968; Bernd Alois Zimmermann (German composer), d. 1970; First performance of Tavener’s Akhmatova: Requiem, 1981; First performance of MacMillan’s Percussion Concerto Veni, Veni, Emmanuel, 1992; Conlon Nancarrow (American composer), d. 1997
Feast of St. Clare of Assisi, 1253
Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay.Daughter of a wealthy family in Assisi, Clare was so deeply moved by a sermon of St. Francis that she vowed a life of poverty for herself. The austere order she founded is known informally as the Poor Clares; her companions were the beautiful daughters from among the best families of Assisi; their ministry was prayer, nursing the sick and acts of mercy for the poor and forgotten. She is remembered as the founder of an order that still continues in both Roman and Anglican traditions.
Nuns (Poor Clares) at Work – Oil on canvas (1st half 18th c.) by Follow of Allesandro MagnascoRoman Catholic commemoration of John Henry Newman, Cardinal, 1890
In the nineteenth century, there was movement among English intellectuals away from evangelicalism toward Roman Catholicism; Newman was in the vanguard of the movement. Known for his theological contributions to the Oxford Movement, as it was called, and the Tractarians who defended the church through writing pamphlets, he eventually became a Cardinal of the Church.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Anton Arensky (Russian composer), b. 1861; Carrie Jacobs Bond (American singer & song writer), b. 1862; Alexander Mossolov (Soviet Composer), b. 1900; Joseph Machlis (Latvian-American musicologist), b. 1906; William Masselos (American pianist), b. 1920; Alun Hoddinott (Welsh composer), b. 1929; Heinz Werner Zimmermann (German composer), b. 1930; First performance of Strauss’ Horn Concerto No. 2, 1943; Karl Weigl (Austrian composer), d. 1949; First performance of Claflin’s madrigal A Lament for April 15, 1955; First performance of Bernstein’s Symphonic Suite,On the Waterfront, 1955; First performance of Hindemith’s opera The Harmony of the World, 1957; First performance of Milhaud’s Music for New Orleans for orchestra, 1968; First performance of Rachmaninoff’s opera (Monna Vanna), Act 1 only, 1984; First performance of Henze’s realization of Monteverdi’s opera Il ritorno d’Ulisse, 1985; First performance of Weir’s The Voice of Desire, 2003; First performance of O’Connor’s Violin Concerto No. 6 Old Brass, 2003
Nightingale committed her life to God’s work, yet she did not believe in much of the theology or creedal standards of any church; still she is recognized here for her amazing accomplishments in the betterment of human life as people recover from wounds and illness in hospitals. Often called the founder of modern nursing, she initiated hygienic procedures and invented devices that revolutionized the care of the sick. Her life reminds us that holiness is imputed by God, and that orthodoxy is not necessarily required for God’s work to be done.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Giovanni Gabrieli (Italian composer), d. 1612; Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber (Bohemian composer), b. 1644; First performance of Arne’s masque Alfred, 1740; Sir F.A.G. Ouseley (English organist, composer & musicologist), b. 1825; Sir Joseph Barnby (English composer & conductor), b. 1838; First performance of Verdi’s opera Alzira, 1845; Carl F. Mueller (American organist, composer, choral conductor & teacher), b. 1892; Edward Downes (English opera conductor), b. 1911; Leos Janácek (Czech composer), d. 1928; Jöji Yuasa (Japanese composer), b. 1929; First performance of Del Tredici’s I Hear an Army, 1964; First performance of Panufnik’s Un Re in ascolto, 1984; First performance of Berio’s opera Un Re in ascolta, 1984; John Cage (American composer), d. 1992; First performance of Salonen’s Foreign Bodies for orchestra, 2001
Ivory relief (1000-1050) by an unknown Southern Italian
Clara Maass was the child of German Lutheran immigrants to New Jersey, where she became an influential nurse. She volunteered for military service during the Spanish-American War and served in Cuba and the Philippines where she nursed soldiers suffering from infectious diseases. Maass volunteered to be part of Walter Reed’s experiments trying to discover how yellow fever was transmitted. Her first contraction of the disease was mild and she recovered, but the second time took her life.
Episcopal commemoration of Jeremy Taylor, Bishop of Down, Connor, and Dromore, 1667
Taylor was an English Roman Catholic until the Puritan rule began. He was important enough to be imprisoned three times by the Puritans and forced into retirement from his Welsh chaplaincy; however, he became a Bishop after the Restoration. He is remembered today for his writings on spiritual living.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating Sts. Pontian and Hippolytus, 235
These two men had been competitors and theological enemies, but reconciled in time to be exiled to the mines of Sardinia where they died. Hippolytus is remembered chiefly for his writings which record for us the Roman liturgy and polity of that time.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Maximos the Confessor, 662
Maximos as politically influential in the eastern Empire until the Monothelite heresy became dominant in the court. For his refusal to accept it or stop writing against it, he was tortured and exiled. The icon portrays his lined face as one who suffered. His clothing has just a hint of the blue of purity (for his unswerving Orthodoxy) and of the red of martyrdom (for his torture), but his cloak is of the black of ashes (for his suffering).
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Sir George Grove (English wirter on music), b. 1820; William Thomas Best (English organist), b. 1826; Salomon Jadassohn (German composer & teacher), b. 1831; Emma Eames (American soprano), b. 1865; em>Bayreuther Festspielhaus opens, with the first complete performance of Wagner’s Ring, 1876; John Ireland (English composer), b. 1879; Jules Massanet (French composer), d. 1912; George Albert Shearing (British jazz pianist & composer), b. 1919; First complete performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 10, 1964; First performance of Musgrave’s Viola Concerto, 1973; First performance of Ellington’s ballet Three Black Kings, 1976
Jonathan Daniels was a New England Episcopalian who went to the American South in 1965 to participate in the Civil Rights Movement. While there much longer than anticipated, he experienced enough hostility from and reconciliation with a white policeman that his self-righteousness melted away. In his last demonstration, he pushed a young girl out of harm’s way and took the shotgun blast himself.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe, 1941
Even with doctorates in theology and philosophy and a deep interest in science, Maximilian’s chief witness was in fighting religious indifference with prayer, work and suffering, the marks of a Franciscan brother. After torture and beatings at the hands of the Nazis, he was executed at Auschwitz; he volunteered as a substitute for a prisoner who had a wife and children on the outside.
Greek Orthodox commemoration of Micah the Prophet
Click for an Evangelical commentary on Micah.
Micah from an agricultural district that was also on a major caravan and military route in the eighth century B.C.E., a rustic with international awareness whose concerns were rural exploitation and injustice, and empty religious ceremonialism. Micah preached the link between true faith and social ethics.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Samuel Sebastian Wesley (English organist & composer), b. 1810; First performance of Rossini’s opera Il Turco in Italia, 1814; Leone Sinigaglia (Italian composer), b. 1868; Kaikhosru Sorabji (English composer), b. 1892; Pierre Schaeffer (French composer), b. 1910; Martial Singher (French baritone), b. 1904; William Flanagan (American composer), b. 1926; First performance of Rubbra’s Symphony No. 4, 1942; First performance of Strauss’ opera Die Liebe der Danae, 1952; First performance of Arnold’s Harmonica Concerto, 1954; Oscar Levant (American composer & pianist), d. 1972; Vincent Persichetti (American composer), d. 1987
Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Episcopal essay; Greek Orthodox icon; Roman Catholic audio essay.Veneration of the Virgin Mary extends to the earliest days of the Church as the birth stories in Matthew and Luke attest. Artists have portrayed her in the innocence of the Magnificat and in her grief at the foot of the cross, and in later centuries layers of legend have accrued around her. Vatican II and subsequent theologians have done well in correcting the excesses of popular piety by repeatedly noting that salvation comes only by faith in Christ and by the grace of God. Most Protestants have retained the excesses of the Reformation years and relegated Mary so far in the background that she is forgotten except as a prop at Christmas pageants. The icon here portrays her death in royal splendor as befits the only person whom the Gospels present as being present both at Jesus’ birth and death.
The Virgin of the Immaculate Conception - Oil on canvas (1608-1613) by El Greco
The Virgin of the Immaculate Conception - Oil on canvas (1605-1610) by El GrecoThe Marriage of the Virgin - Oil on canvas (1613-1614) by El Greco
The Dormition of the Virgin - Oil on canvas (before 1567) by El GrecoThe Assumption of the Virgin - Oil on canvas (1577) by El Greco
The Coronation of the Virgin - Oil on canvas (1591) by El GrecoThe Coronation of the Virgin - Oil on canvas (1591) by El Greco
The Coronation of the Virgin - Oil on canvas (1603-1605) by El GrecoMUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Marain Marais (French composer & gambist), d. 1728; Johann Nepomuk Maelszel (German inventor of the metronome), b. 1772; First performance of Liszt’s oratorio St. Elizabeth, 1865; Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (English composer), b. 1875; Carl Tollefsen (American violinist), b. 1882; Edwin Hughes (American pianist & teacher), b. 1884; Marion Bauer (American composer), b. 1887; Albert Spalding American violinist & composer), b. 1888; Jacques Ibert (French composer), b. 1890; Luther Brusie Marchant (American voice teacher), b. 1890; Knud Jeppesen (Danish composer & musicologist), b. 1892; Lukas Foss (German-American conductor & composer), b. 1922; First performance of Grofé’s Hollywood Suite, 1936; Richard Yardumian (American composer), d. 1985; First performance of Penderecki’s opera The Black Mask, 1986; First performance of Saariaho’s opera L’amour de loin, 2000
Ranat Ek - Thailand (19th c.) by an unknown artist
Bell - Indian (19th c.) by an unknown artist
Slento - Indonesian (late 19th c.) by an unknown artist
Sursinga - Indian (19th c.) by an unknown artist
Stephen was born a pagan, but was baptized a Christian at age 10 with his father, the chief of the Magyars. He is remembered for his policy of Christianizing the land which was to become Hungary. Of course, his motives were political as well as religious, as is shown by his sometimes violent suppression of pagan customs. His life reminds us that the debate over the use of violence for good ends is ongoing and not likely to be decided soon.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating
Translation of the Image of Our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ
This story behind this icon reminds us of a combination of the Shroud of Turin and the Gospel story of the man who asked Jesus to heal his son in absentia. While the faith of the man in the Gospel is laudable, the story of the napkin with Jesus’ icon on it may be suspect to the modern mind. This icon portrays Jesus with a compassionate face and with the roundness of halo and face that suggests divine holiness.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Alexander Alabieff (Russian composer), b. 1787; H.A. Marschner (German opera composer), b. 1795; Gabriel Pierné (French composer), b. 1863; Charles Sanford Skilton (American composer, teacher & musicologist), b. 1868; Sophie Braslau (American contralto), b. 1892; Paul Callaway (American organist), b. 1909; Kirke Mechem (American composer), b. 1925; Bill Evans (American jazz pianist and composer), b. 1929; First performance of Gershwin’s Cuban Overture, 1932; First performance of Strauss’ Olympic Hymn, 1936 First performance of Kodály’s Symphony, 1961; First performance of Bernstein’s Dybbuk Variations, 1973; Elvis Presley (American Rock superstar), d. 1977; First performance of Liebermann’s Violin Concerto, 2001; First performance of Saariaho’s Nymphea Reflection for orchestra, 2001
Conversion for Joan meant the difference between greed and generosity. She encountered Christ in the guise of an old woman many thought to be insane, a seventeenth-century street person, and was completely transformed.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Frederick the Great (Prussian flute player & amateur composer), d. 1786; Abram Chasins (American composer & pianist), b. 1903; T.J. (Thomas Jefferson) Anderson, (American composer), b. 1928; First performance of Ireland’s A London Overture, 1937; Cheryl Seltzer (American pianist & musicologist), b. 1938; Edward Cowie (English composer), b. 1943; First performance of Honegger’s Symphonie Liturgique (No. 3), 1946; First performance of von Einem’s opera Der Prozess “The Trial”, 1953; First performance of Egk’s opera Irische Legende “Irish Legend”, 1955; Flrent Schmitt (French composer), d. 1958; Carlos Salzedo (French-American composer & harpist), d. 1961; Jean Barraque (French composer), d. 1973; First performance of Penderecki’s Magnificat for bass, chorus & orchestra, 1974; Robert Russell Bennett (American composer), d. 1981; Ira Gershwin (American lyricist), d. 1983
Champlevé and cloisonné enamel on gilded copper (c. 1100) by an unknown French Master
DuBose is remembered for his intellectual acuity in nineteenth-century Episcopal circles. His work centered around the question of what it means to say that Christ saves us.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Jane Frances de Chantal, 1641
Refined and beautiful Jane Francis was married and a mother as she restored the custom of daily Mass at the castle and engaged in charitable works. Several years of tragedy ensued, after which she met St. Francis de Sales and was eventually led to enter an Augustinian convent. Tragedy still plagued her and spiritual dryness at times engulfed her; she is remembered for her faithfulness through it all.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Antonio Salieri (Italian opera composer), b. 1750; Friedrich Wieck (German piano & voice teacher), b. 1785; First performance of Schubert’s opera Die Zauberharfe “The Magic Harp”, 1820; Benjamin Godard (French composer), b. 1849; Basil Cameron (English conductor), b. 1885; Sir Ernest Campbell MacMillan (Canadian composer & conductor), b. 1893; First performance of Schreker’s opera Der ferne Klang “The Distant Sound”, 1912; Irving Neidich (American clarinetist), b. 1922; First performance of Britten’s Piano Concerto, 1938; Eerwin Schulhoff (Austrian composer), d. 1942; First performance of Brant’s On the Nature of Things for spatially grouped instruments & strings, 1956; First performance of Kay’s Markings, 1966
John Eudes devoted his life to improving parishes and the formation of clergy. As a social activist he was prominent among those who served victims of the plague and provided homes for prostitutes who were trying to escape their predicament. He is remembered for his devotion to Christ as the source of holiness and Mary as the model for life.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Niccolò Porpora (Italian opera composer), b. 1686; William Henry Fry (American composer & journalist), b. 1813; Georges Enesco (Rumanian composer), b. 1881; Jacques de Menasce (French composer), b. 1905; Brooks Smith (American pianist & accompanist), b. 1912; Irving Lowens (American musicologist), b. 1916; Sergei Diaghilev (Russian ballet impresario), d. 1929; First performance of Ginastera’s ballet Estancia, 1952; First trial run performance of Bernstein’s West Side Story, 1957; First performance of Glanville-Hicks’ opera Nausicaa, 1961; First performance of Lutoslawski’s Piano Concerto, 1988
Feast of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, 1153
Episcopal essay; Roman Catholic audio essay.Bernard led a reform of the Cistercian (Trappist) form of Benedictine monasticism and an end to the papal schism by the anti-pope. Critical of the rationalism of Peter Abelard, whom he believed did not allow enough room for the element of mystery in faith. The ugly side of Bernard’s memory is his preaching of the Second Crusade, a preaching which led to the side effect of anti-Semitic riots and a crusade which was a military disaster from the beginning. Among his writings, he is most remembered for his allegorical sermons on the Song of Solomon.
The Vision of St. Bernard - Oil on canvas (c. 1650) by Alonso CanoVision of St. Bernard - Oil on canvas (1611) by Juan de las Roelas
Christ Embracing St. Bernard - Oil on canvas (1625-1627) by Francisco RibaltaGreek Orthodox commemoration of Samuel the Prophet - the link is to the Coptic Church commentary
Samuel was dedicated to the Lord before his birth, anointed the first two kings of Israel and contributed to the conquest of the Promised Land. The events surrounding his birth and call to ministry became a model for the Gospel writers, as well as for Christian preachers in later centuries. His prophecies centered on keeping Israel’s religion pure from pagan corruption.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Tomas Luis de Victoria (Spanish composer), d. 1611; Jacopo Peri (Italian composer), b. 1561; Jan Krittel Vanhai (Johann Baptist Wanhal) (Bohemian composer), d. 1813; Christine Nilsson (Swedish soprano), b. 1843; José Subirá (Puig) (Spanish musicologist), b. 1882; First performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, 1882; Eric Blom (Swiss-British musicologist & lexicographer), b. 1888; First performance of Ponce’s Violin Concerto, 1943; First performance of Bliss’ Edinburgh Overture, 1956; First performance of Menotti’s opera Maria Golovin, 1958; First performance of Birtwistle’s Tragoedia for chamber ensemble, 1965; First performance of Orff’s cantata De Temporum Fine Commedia, 1973; First performance of Harbison’s opera The Winter’s Tale, 1979; First performance of Rubbra’s Symphony No. 11, 1980; First performance of Tower’s Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman No. 5, 1992; First performance of Long’s The Immortal for orchestra, 2004
Pius X, in overcoming his reticence over his humble family origin, engaged in two things with lasting consequences: encouraging (especially children) to receive Communion frequently, and his efforts to end governmental involvement in papal elections. He also remembered for denouncing the ill treatment of indigenous people in Peru.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Lili Boulanger (French composer), b. 1893; Willhelm Killmayer (German composer), b. 1927; Gregg Smith (American conductor), b. 1931; Constant Lambert (British composer & writer), d. 1951; First performance of Creston’s Pavane Variations, 1966
Observation of Mary’s Queenship is based on Elizabeth’s appellation of her as “mother of my Lord.” As a result, the Church, both East and West, calls her “Mother of God.” For many Protestants, the chief acknowledgement of this title resides in the annual singing of medieval Christmas carols.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Luca Marenzio (Italian composer), d. 1599; Josef Strauss (Austrian composer), b. 1827; Claude Debussy (French composer), b. 1862; Maud Powell (American violinist), b. 1868; Karl Nef (Swiss musicologist), b. 1873; Edward Johnson (Canadian-American tenor), b. 1878; Karlheinz Stockhausen (German composer), b. 1928; First performance of Birtwistle’s opera Punch and Judy, 1968; First performance of Tippett’s Triple Concerto for violin, viola, cello & orchestra, 1980; First performance of Davies’ Image, Reflection, Shadow for orchestra, 1982; Vitya Vronsky (Russian pianist), b. 1908
St. Rose suffered, as all saints do, from opposition, and she did, what too many saints do, practiced excessive mortification of the body. She was a member of the Third Order of St. Dominic, and spent the last years of her life caring for the destitute – the beginning of social services in Peru. She is remembered for a love of God so intense that it withstood ridicule from without and overwhelming temptation from within. Her mortification reminds us that the comforts we crave do not produce happiness or spiritual growth.
St. Rosa of Lima before the Madonna - Oil on canvas (17th c.) by José Antolinez
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating
Apodosis of the Dormition of the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary
For a discussion of this icon, see August 15
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: First performance of Rameau’s opera-ballet Les Indes galantes, 1735; Nikolaus Simrock (German music publisher), b. 1751; Moritz Maszkowski (Polish-German pianist & composer), b. 1854; Ernst Krenek (Austrian-American composer), b. 1900; William Primrose (Swedish violist & teacher), b. 1903; Constant Lambert (English composer, conductor & writer), b. 1905; First performance of Vaughan Williams’ Norfolk Rhapsody for orchestra, 1906; Albert Roussel (French composer), d. 1937; Oscar Hammerstein II (American lyricist), d. 1960; Irving Fine (American composer), d. 1962; First performance of Stravinsky’s Abraham and Isaac for orchestra
Feast of Bartholomew the Apostle
Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay.Bartholomew is only listed in the Gospels, and then only linked with Philip. John does not name Bartholomew, but it is widely thought that his reference to Nathaniel is to the same man. Legend has it that he preached in India or Armenia and died by flaying and beheading. Consequently, his symbol in art is the flaying knife.
St. Bartholomew the Apostle - Oil on canvas (1610-1614) by El GrecoSaint Bartholomew – Tempera on wood (early 14th c.) by the Workshop of Simone Martini
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Kosmas the New Hieromartyr of Aetolia, 1776
Kosmas is remembered for his preaching of encouragement to the Christians in northern Greece, and especially Albania, during the Moslem occupation. He was martyred for his efforts.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Adolphe Adam (French Composer), b. 1803; F.C.T. (Théodore) Dubois (French composer & organist), b. 1837; First performance of Suppé’s operetta Dichter und Bauer, 1846; Felix Mottl (), b. 1856; First performance of Elgar’s March No. 4 Pomp and Circumstance, 1907; Richard Korn (American clarinetist & conductor), b. 1908; Bernhard Heiden (German-American composer), b. 1910; Niels Viggo Bentzon (Danish composer), b. 1919; First performance of Bernstein’s song-cycle I Hate Music, 1943; Stephen Paulus (American composer), b. 1949; Paul Creston (American composer), d. 1985; First performance of Lutoslawski’s Double Concerto for oboe, harp & chamber orchestra
Commemoration of St. Louis, King of France, 1270
Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay.Louis understood that his reign was as God’s anointed, and, as a result, for his work for the political unification of France; for moving a long way toward the rule of law rather than trial by combat; for creating social services for the poor; and for a level of integrity and insight that other monarchs came to him to arbitrate disputes. He is remembered for using secular power for the benefit of his people.
St. Louis, King of France, with a Page - Oil on canvas (1592-1595) by El GrecoRoman Catholic audio essay commemorating St.Joseph Calasanz, 1648
Spanish priest Joseph Calasanz gave up a career in canon law and theology in order to provide education for poor children, the work for which he was canonized and is remembered.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: José Antonio Carlos de Seixas (Portuguese composer), d. 1742; Niccolò Jommelli (Italian opera composer), d. 1774; First performance of Auber’s opera La muette de Portici, 1830; Robert Stolz (Austrian operetta composer), b. 1880; Stefan Wolpe (German-American composer), b. 1902; Alexei Haieff (American composer), b. 1914; Leonard Bernstein (American conductor & composer), b. 1918; First performance of Henze’s Symphony No. 1, 1948; First performance of Rorem’s Sunday Morning for orchestra, 1978; Walter Trampler (German violist & teacher), b. 1915
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: First performance of Mendelssohn’s oratorio Elijah, 1846; Luis Delgadillio (Nicaraguan composer), b. 1887; Arthur Loesser (American composer & teacher), b. 1894; Alec Compinsky (American cellist & film musician), b. 1906; Humphrey Searle (British composer & organist), b. 1915; Wolfgang Sawallisch (German conductor & pianist), b. 1923; First performance of Rawsthorne’s Practical Cats for speaker & orchestra, 1954; First performance of Martinu’s Frescoes of Piero della Francesca for orchestra, 1956; First performance of Panufnik’s Rhapsody for orchestra, 1956; Ralph Vaughan Williams (British composer), d. 1958
Gallaudet’s mother was deaf and his father founded a school for the hearing-impaired in Connecticut which was the principal institution of its kind in America until 1857 when Gallaudet College (now University) was founded in Washington, D.C. His efforts for inclusiveness in worship are still seen in the signing that takes place in many churches today. Syle was one of his students who overcame his disability and founded a congregation for the hearing-impaired.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Monica, 387
Monica, a Christian and the mother of St. Augustine of Hippo, was given in marriage to a pagan man. She so impressed him with her generosity and piety that eventually he was baptized. Augustine, too, was a free spirit who was converted as a result of her prayers. She is remembered for her patient persistence in prayer.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Phanourios the Great Martyr of Rhodes
Phanourios is remembered only for his martyrdom. This icon was recovered hundreds of years after his death and so he is called the “newly revealed.” The icon portrays him in the red robe of martyrdom holding an arrow, an instrument of death, and granting a blessing to the viewer.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Josquin Des Prez (Flemish composer), d. 1521; Tomás Luis de Victoria (Spanish composer), d. 1611; First performance of Rameau’s opera-ballet Pygmalion, 1748; Eric Coates (English light music composer), b. 1886; Rebecca Clarke (English-American composer & violist), b. 1886; First performance of Fauré’s Prométhée, 1900; First performance of Copland’s El Salon Mexico, 1937; First performance of Wilson’s Symphony No. 2 The Missions of California, 1940; Barry Conyngham (Australian composer), b. 1944
Feast of St. Augustine of Hippo, 430
Lutheran & Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay.St. Augustine’s towering intellect was matched in his youth only by his interest in sex, fame and pride. After his conversion through the efforts of his mother’s friend Ambrose, he applied it to the Christian faith in such a way that his ideas still define what many, perhaps most, Western Christians believe. His primary philosophical battle was with the dualism of the Manichees; his theological definitions included: 1) holiness is derived from Christ alone, and 2) grace is not earned and humanity cannot save itself by effort.
The Consecration of St. Augustine - Tempera on panel (1466-1475) by Jaume Huguet
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Claude Goudimel (Hugenot composer), d. 1572; First performance of Pergolesi’s one-act opera La Serva Padrona, 1733; Wolfgang von Goethe (German poet), b. 1749; First performance of Liszt’s tone-poem Tasso, 1849; First performance of Wagner’s opera Lohengrin, 1850; Umberto Giordano (Italian opera composer), b. 1867; Joseph W. Clokey (American composer), b. 1890; Karl Boehm (Austrian conductor), b. 1894; John Corigliano (American composer), b. 1938; Paul Henry Lang (Hungarian musicologist), b. 1901; Robert Irving (English conductor), b. 1913; Richard Tucker (American tenor), b. 1914; Anatol Liadov (Russian composer), d. 1914; First performance of Gershwin’s one-act opera Blue Monday, 1922; First performance of Persichetti’s Symphony No. 5 for strings, 1954; First performance of Martinu’s Frescoes of Piero della Francesca, for orchestra, 1956; Bohuslav Martinu (Czech composer), d. 1959; First performance of Tippett’s Concerto for Orchestra, 1963; First performance of Glass’ Symphony No. 5 Requiem, Bardo and Nirmanakaya, 1999
Feast of the Martyrdom of John the Baptist
Roman Catholic essay; Greek Orthodox icon; Franciscan audio essay.This celebration of John the Baptist’s martyrdom is maintained because John was the forerunner of Christ both in preaching and in death. The icon shows John’s execution before Mount Sinai, the symbol of the law John upheld in condemning Herod, and a prison, symbol of being captive to sin. That sin in this instance was manifest in the drunken oath of a king, the seductive dance of a girl, and the hateful heart of a queen. John is remembered for his detachment from earthly possessions and status-seeking.
St. John the Baptist - Oil on canvas (c. 1600) by El Greco
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Louis of Toulouse, 1297
Louis renounced his royal title in order to continue a lifelong commitment to prayer and works of mercy. When he died at age 23 he was the bishop of Toulouse who gave three-quarters of his income to feed the poor. He is remembered as a bishop who did not lose his Franciscan vow of humility and simplicity.
St. Louis of Toulouse – Tempera on canvas (late 15th c.) by Cosima TuraMUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Louis Couperin (French composer), d. 1661; R.G. Kiesewetter (German ethnomusicologist), b. 1773; First performance of Josef Strauss’ The First and the Last Waltz, 1853; Emil Paur (Austrian conductor), b. 1855; Leonardo De Lorenzo (Italian flautist), b. 1875; Charlie Parker (American Jazz saxophonist & “Be-bop innovator), b. 1920; Yorgo Sicilianos (Greek composer), b. 1922; Lester Trimble (American composer & music critic), b. 1923; Gilbert Amy (French composer & conductor), b. 1936; René Leibowitz (French composer & conductor), d. 1972; First performance of Saariaho’s Graal Théàtre for violin & orchestra, 1995; First performance of Rihm’s Passion Deus Passus (after St. Luke), 2000
Jeanne Jugan defied the suppression of religious communities by the French Revolution and is remembered for her compassionate care of the elderly poor.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Alexander, John & Paul,
New Patriarchs of Constantinople, 337, 577, & 693
Alexander was a delegate to the Council of Nicaea who vigorously stood up to Arius and eventually became Bishop of Constantinople. John Scholasticus was Patriarch of Constantinople. Paul presided over a major council, the Quinisext. The icon portrays wisdom and strength.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Bonifazio Asioli (Italian composer), b. 1769; George F. Root (American song composer & music publisher), b. 1920; Percy Goetschius (American composer & music theorist), b. 1853; Albert Riemenschneider (American Bach musicologist), b. 1878; Regina Resnik (American mezzo-soprano), b. 1922; Piet Kee (Dutch organist & composer), b. 1927; John Huggler (American composer), b. 1928; Arne Mellnaes (Swedish composer), b. 1933; First performance of Barber’s School for Scandal Overture, 1933; David Maslanka (American composer), b. 1943
Soon after the introduction of Christianity to Northern England, Aiden was appointed to lead a general mission of evangelism throughout Northumbria, a task at which he succeeded. He centered his work at the island of Lindisfarne, the seat of his bishopric.
Lutheran commemoration of John Bunyan, teacher, 1688
Bunyan’s life is known to us through his autobiography, Grace Abounding. We know he was a soldier but we do not know on which side of the English Civil War he fought. His marriage brought him back to reading and his tinker’s trade. It also marked the beginning of a period of intense spiritual struggle which was the seedbed of his masterpiece, Pilgrim’s Progress.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating Sts. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus
Bunyan’s life is known to us through his autobiography, Grace Abounding. We know he was a soldier but we do not know on which side of the English Civil War he fought. His marriage brought him back to reading and his tinker’s trade. It also marked the beginning of a period of intense spiritual struggle which was the seedbed of his masterpiece, Pilgrim’s Progress.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: H.S. F. von Helmholtz (German physicist of sound), b. 1821; Amilcare Ponchielli (Italian opera composer), b. 1834; Joseph Schillinger (Russian-American), b. 1895; First performance of Weill’s opera Die Dreigroschenoper, 1928; Itzhak Perlman (Israeli-American violinist), b. 1945; First performance of Birtwistle’s Verses for Ensembles, 1970; First performance of Glass’ opera In the Penal Colony, 2000
After fighting against the U.S. military over land rights, this Oklahoma warrior and Cheyenne leader was taken prisoner and sent to Florida. There he learned English, supported himself by giving archery lessons, and became a Christian. As a minister, he returned to Oklahoma where he founded schools and missions among his people.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating the Ecclesiastical New Year
This celebration is related to an ancient method of taxation. Every fifteen years a new assessment was made that was to be paid over the next fifteen years. It was done on September 1 when the harvest was completed and the next year’s seed was ready. The icon emphasizes the bounty of creation.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Simeon the Stylite, 459
Symeon was so famous for his asceticism that people came to touch his garment either for blessing or for healing. To escape their perpetual presence, he began to stand on a pillar; gradually he used higher and higher pillars (styles). He stood upright on the top for forty years even though his feet became gangrenous from the abuse. His fame spread so that pilgrimages were made to see him. This icon portrays him cloistered on a pillar with hands in a position to stop people from getting close.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Giles, c. 710
Details are few about Giles. He was one of the “Holy Helpers” to whom people prayed for recovery from disease and strength at the time of death. He built a monastery in southeastern France that became a popular stopping place for pilgrims to Spain and the Holy Land.
Saint Giles with Christ Triumphant and Mission of the Apostles – Tempera on wood (1420s) by Miguel Alcañiz
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Marin Mersenne (French music theorist & theologian), d. 1648; Johann Pachelbel (German organist & composer), b. 1653; First performance of Spohr’s opera Faust, 1st version, 1816; Amilcare Ponchielli (Italian composer), b. 1834; Engelbert Humperdinck (German composer), b. 1854; Cleofonte Campanini (Italian conductor), b. 1860; Othmar Schoeck (Swiss composer), b. 1886; Aksel Schiøtz (Danish baritone, tenor & teacher), b. 1906; Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (English composer of African descent), d. 1912; First audio only performance of Janácek’s opera Osud, 1934; Seiji Ozawa (Japanese conductor), b. 1935; Reza Vali (Iranian-American composer, b. 1952; First performance of Britten’s Cantata Misericordium, 1963; First performance of Gubaidulina ‘s St. John’s Passion, 2000
Bishop Grundtvig was one of the few Scandinavian Lutheran pastors who remained faithful to evangelicalism in the face of Rationalism, a stand for which he suffered great opposition. At the university, he became absorbed in poetry and Norse mythology, and adopted poetry as a principal medium for conveying spiritual truth. He is remembered for his 1000 hymns.
Episcopal commemoration of the Martyrs of New Guinea, 1942
Because of New Guinea’s (Irian) difficult geography, it has many isolated tribes and as many as 500 languages. Missionary work began there in the 1860s and progressed slowly. With the beginning of WWII, European missionaries were in danger. They stayed, and almost immediately eight clergymen and two laymen were executed “as an example.” Throughout the war other Christians risked their lives to care for the wounded.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating Blessed John Francis Burté and Companions, 1792, 1794
During the French Revolution, priests were required to take an oath which was, in effect, a denial of faith. These Franciscans refused and were executed. All in all, there were 185 martyrs.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Francesco Landino (Italian composer, organist & singer), d. 1397; Georg Böhm (German organist & composer), b. 1661; Alphons Diepenbrock (Dutch composer), b. 1862; Isidor Philipp (British pianist, composer & teacher), b. 1863; Ureli Corelli Hill (American violinist & conductor), d. 1875; Friedrich Schorr (Austro-Hungarian bass-baritone), b. 1888; Ludwig Altman (German-American organist & composer), b. 1910; Dai-Keong Lee (Hawaiian composer), b. 1915; Laurindo Almeida (Brazilian composer & guitarist), b. 1917; First performance of Friml’s operetta Rose Marie, 1924; John Zorn (American composer), b. 1953; First performance of Walton’s Symphony No. 2, 1960; First performance of Rota’s ballet La Strada, 1966; First performance of Penderecki’s Cello Concerto, 1972; First performance of Kokkonen’s opera The Last Temptations, 1975; First performance of Davies’ opera The Lighthouse, 1980; First performance of Reimann’s opera Das Schloss, 1992; Otto Luening (American composer), d. 1996
When Anthimos fled for his life to a small village near Nicomedea, the Emperor’s men came looking for him. He told them he would take them to him, but first he would have them as his guests and feed them. When he revealed himself to them they did not want to take him in, but he went with them anyway, converting many of them by his kindness. Upon his public confession of faith, he was tortured and martyred. The icon shows him in the red robe of martyrdom with a white stole of purity; his face is kind and gentle.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Gregory the Great, 604
One of the strongest and greatest of all popes, Gregory instituted reforms of the practice of ministry and of the liturgy, and was worthy of the foreign policy challenges Rome faced at that time. Whether or not he is responsible for the development of “Gregorian” chant is debated. See also March 12th.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Adriano Banchieri (Italian organist & composer), b. 1568; Pietro Locatelli (Italian violinist & composer), b. 1693; Marcel Grandjany (French composer & harpist), b. 1891; Francesco Mignone (Brazilian composer), b. 1897; Eduard van Beinum (Dutch conductor), b. 1901; First performance of Victor Herbert’s operetta The Red Mill, 1906; Dorothy Maynor (American soprano & teacher), b. 1910; First performance of Schönberg’s Five Orchestral Pieces , 1912; Alberic Magnard (French composer), d. 1914; Knut Nystedt (Norwegian composer), b. 1915; Thurston Dart (British musicologist), b. 1921; First performance of Ives’ Washington’s Birthday, 1931; First performance of Leifs Loftr Suite, 1938; First performance of Hindemith’s Theme and Variations “The Four Temperaments”, 1944; First performance of Bloch’s Concerto Symphonique, 1949; Harry Partch (American composer & instrument inventor), d. 1974; Morton Feldman (American composer), d. 1987
Schweitzer is remembered for abandoning a promising musical career and pastoral career for a ministry through medicine in Africa. He is remembered for his commitment to the sanctity of life as well as for his scholarly achievements in musicology and theology.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Moses the Prophet & Godseer
Moses is remembered for meeting with God on Mt. Sinai where he received the commandments and for leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and for forty years in the wilderness. The icon portrays him in priestly garments holding the law in his arm; his face is strong and determined.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Rose of Viterbo, 1251
Rose, in her eighteen years of life, did not influence kings or popes, nor found a religious community, nor perform miracles. Her commitment to prayer and aiding the poor led her to become a Secular Franciscan at age ten and to take an unpopular political stand that led to her family’s exile. Her life reminds us that holiness does not demand greatness in the world, but a commitment living in God’s grace.
Episcopal commemoration of Paul Jones, 1941
Episcopal Bishop Jones was an outspoken pacifist whose anti-war activities during WWI caused him to resign his episcopal seat. He continued his peace advocacy until his death in 1941.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Anton Bruckner (Austrian composer), b. 1824; Willard Irving Nevins (American organist), b. 1890; Darius Milhaud (French composer), b. 1892; Gilbert Chase (American music historian & critic), b. 1906; Edvard Grieg (Norwegian composer), d. 1907; Siegfried Landau (German-American conductor & composer), b. 1921; Albert Schweitzer (German organist & Bach scholar), d. 1965; First performance of Mackey’s Lost and Found for orchestra, 1996
Zacharias and Elizabeth are remembered as the parents of John the Baptist, Elizabeth for pregnancy in her old age, and Zacharias for his temporary lack of faith and final obedience to God’s command. The icon portrays only Zacharias, in priestly robes and holding a parchment of the Word of God.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, 1997
Mother Teresa is a figure of holiness from our own day, remembered for her dedication to the poor and sick in Calcutta and, through her Missionaries of Charity, many other cities around the world. Noteworthy from her biography was the extended period of spiritual darkness when felt cut off from God.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: First performance of Pergolesi’s opera La serva padrona, 1733; Johann Christian Bach (German composer), b. 1735; A. Diabelli (Austrian music publisher & composer), b. 1781; Giacomo Meyerbeer (German composer), b. 1791; François Devienne (French composer), d. 1803; Louis Koehler (American composer), b. 1820; First performance of Verdi’s opera Un giorno di regno, 1840; First performance of Liszt’s A Faust Symphony, 1857; Mrs. H.H.A. Beach (American composer), b. 1867; Theodore Spiering (American violinist, conductor & teacher), b. 1871; Otto Erich Deutsch (Austrian musicologist), b. 1883; Joseph Szigeti (Hungarian-American violinist & teacher), b. 1892; Frederic Hart (American librettist), b. 1898; John Cage (American composer), b. 1912; First performance of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2, 1st version, 1913; Gail T. Kubik (American composer), b. 1914; First performance of Gershwin’s musical Strike Up the Band, 1927; First performance of Poulenc’s Concerto for Two Pianos, 1932; Eduardo Mata (Mexican conductor & composer), b. 1942; First performance of Benjamon’s Piano Concerto, 1950; First performance of Glass’ opera Sayagraha, 1980; First performance of Golijov’s Las Pasión Según San Marcos, 2000
Russian Bassoon in C - France (1825-1840) by an unknown artist
Handbell - Russian (19th c.) by an unknown artist
Costume Bell - Russian (19th c.) by an unknown artist
Handbell - Russian (19th c.) by an unknown artist
Balalaika - Russian instrument (1939) by Ustin Smolensky
When pagans threatened to destroy and church and spring named for the Archangel Michael, an earthquake diverted the waters underground. This was interpreted as a miracle of salvation and is commemorated on this day. The icon shows Michael in a pose of power appearing before a priest at the church; the water of the spring flows downward between them.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Juan Bautista José Cabanilles (Spanish organist & composer), b. 1644; Vincent Novello (British organist), b. 1781; First performance of Mozart’s opera La Clemenza di Tito, 1791; Sir Henry Walford Davies (English composer), b. 1869; Manfred Gurlitt (German opera composer & conductor), b. 1890; First performance of Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis, 1910; Wayne Barlow (American composer), b. 1912; William Kraft (American percussionist, composer & conductor), b. 1923; Harry Hadley (American composer & conductor), d. 1937; Joan Tower (American composer), b. 1938; First performance of Carter’s Double Concerto for Harpsichord & Piano with Two Chamber Orchestras, 1961; Hans Eisler (German composer), d. 1962; First performance of Musgrave’s opera Mary, Queen of Scots, 1977; First performance of Knussen’s Symphony No. 3, 1979; First performance of Harrison’s A Parade for M.T.T., 1995
Stung by a question about what he did other than talk about his faith, lawyer and family-man Frederick Ozanam began to aid those in need. He is remembered for his lifelong determined service to the poor. Through the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which he founded, the work continues to this day.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: François André Danican-Philidor (French opera composer), b. 1726; Father William J. Finn (American conductor & educator), b. 1881; Sidney Lanier (American poet, flutist & composer), d. 1881; Irene Jacobi (American pianist), b. 1890; Ferdinand Timmermans (German composer), b. 1891; First performance of Bliss’ Colour Symphony, 1922; Madeleine Dring (English composer & pianist), b. 1923; Leonard Rosenman (American film composer), b. 1924; First performance of Diamond’s Concerto for Orchestra, 1940; First performance of Ghedini’s opera Billy Budd, 1949; First performance (public dress rehearsal) of Bernstein’s Mass, 1971
Feast of the Birth of Mary
Greek Orthodox icon; Roman Catholic audio essay.Scripture does not tell of the birth of Mary, but apocryphal documents tell of if in a display of early Marian devotion. It has been celebrated at least from the 6th century. The icon shows holy women, including Anna, gathered around the birthing couch, all of which is framed by Joachim and other saints in tabernacles. Tomorrow’s icon portrays the couple as figures of holiness.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Marin Mersenne (French theologian & music theorist), b. 1588; Don Carlo Gesualdo (Italian composer & lutenist), d. 1613; Antonin Dvorák (Czech composer), b. 1841; Willem Pijper (Dutch composer), b. 1894; Eric Salzman (American composer), b. 1933; Sir Peter Maxwell Davies (British composer), b. 1934; Srul Irving Glick (Canadian composer), b. 1934; Richard Strauss (German composer & conductor), d. 1949; First performace of Brown’s Available Forms for 18 players, 1961; Gala premiere of Bernstein’s Mass (A Theater Piece), 1971; First performance of Chihara’s Ceremony V (Symphony in Celebration), 1975; Alex North (American composer), d. 1991; First performance of Torke’s Javelin for orchestra, 1994; First performance of Harrison’s New First Suite for Strings, 1995; First performance of Dun’s Water Passion after St. Matthew, 2000
Yellow fever struck Memphis in 1878. So many people fled the city it lost its charter and was not reorganized for fourteen years. However, several Roman Catholic and Anglican religious communities chose to stay and care for the sick. Constance, head of the Anglican Community of St. Mary, stayed and was among the first of her companions to die from the disease.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating the Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna
See September 8th comments.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Peter Claver, 1654
Spaniard Peter Claver emigrated to what is now Colombia to be a missionary. His primary mission was to give physical aid to the slaves who were brought in on the ships and to evangelize them, eventually baptizing some 300,000. In addition, he preached to the population in general which included the sailors and traders, planters and owners. He lived in the slave quarters. At his canonization, he was declared patron saint of those who work among black slaves.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Edward Burlingame Hill (American composer), b. 1872; Olly Wilson (American composer), b. 1937; Julián Carrillo (Mexican composer), d. 1965; First performance of Martin’s Polyptyque (Six Passiontide Images for Violin and Two Small Orchestras), 1973; First performance of Torke’s Telephone Book for chamber ensemble, 1995
As a young priest, Crummell was excluded from diocesan activities because he was black, so he went to England and studied at Cambridge. After graduation, he went to Liberia where his efforts to establish a Christian republic also met opposition and indifference. When he returned to the U.S. he focused on strengthening urban black congregations.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Marco Uccillini (Italian composer), d. 1680; Noccolo Jommelli (Italian opera composer), b. 1714; First performance of Handel’s oratorio Esther, 1720; Bartolomeo Campagnoli (Italian violinist & composer), b. 1751; First performance of Berlioz’ opera Benvenuto Cellini, 1838; Tor Aulin (Swedish violinist & composer), b. 1866; Mikolajus Ciurlionis (Lithuanian composer), b. 1875; Lex van Delden (Dutch composer), b. 1919; First performance of Hartmann’s Adagio (Symphony No. 2), 1950; First performance of Cowell’s Hymn and Fuguing Tune No. 10 for oboe & strings, 1955; First performance of Ginastera’s opera Beatrix Cenci, 1971; First performance of Davies’ Symphony No. 4, 1989
Nothing is known of Euphrosynos other than that he apparently was a cook. The icon portrays him with a branch laden with fruit in one hand and the other raised in blessing. His face is focused and his eyes are penetrating.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Cyprian, 258
Cyprian is remembered for his contributions to the theology of baptism and penance in northern Africa. Peace caused many Christians to become lax in discipline, so when a new persecution began they fell away. This precipitated a crisis in the understanding of those doctrines. In some ways he was centrist and in others he was closer to the fringe, so the church was reminded that centrism is the best course in controversy.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: William Boyce (British composer), baptized 1711; François Couperin “le Grand” (French harpsichordist & composer), d. 1733; Friedrich Kuhlau (German-Danish composer), b. 1786; Eduard Hanslick (Vienese music critic), b. 1825; Alfred Hollins (Dutch composer), b. 1865; Paul Bekker (German music critic), b. 1882; First performance of Dvorák’s Mass in D, op. 86, 1887; First performance of Gershwin’s musical Primrose, 1924; Harry Stewart Somers (Canadian composer), b. 1925; Arvo Pärt (Estonian composer), b. 1935; First performance of Kodály’s Te Deum, 1936; Henri Rabaud (French composer), d. 1949; First performance of Stravinsky’s opera The Rake’s Progress, 1951; First performance of Barbar’s Fadograph from a Yestern Scene for orchestra, 1971; William Alwyn (English composer), d. 1985; First performance of Harbison’s Remembering Gatsby for orchestra, 1986
Bishop Hobart is remembered for his energetic oversight of a large diocese in which the number of clergy trebled during his tenure, for his scholastic achievement in the areas of the episcopacy and apostolic succession, and for founding Hobart College and General Theological Seminary. His work and general demeanor were instrumental in freeing Anglicans from continuing suspicion due to their British origin during the colonial and Revolution years.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: François Couperin (French composer), d. 1733; Jean Philippe Rameau (French composer), d. 1764; Franz Xaver Richter (Moravian composer), 1789; Theodor Kullak (German pianist, composer & teacher), b. 1818; Karl Doppler (Austrian flautist conductor), b. 1925; Ernst Pepping (German composer), 1901; Dmitri Shostakovich (Soviet composer), b. 1906; First performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 Symphony of a Thousand, 1910; John Gruen (American music, dance art critic), b. 1927; First performance of Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasilieras No. 1, 1932; First performance of Milhaud’s Suite Provençale, 1932; Phillip Ramey (American composer), b. 1939; First performance of Bernstein’s Serenade, 1954; First performance of Kokonen’s Symphony No. 3, 1967; First performance of Lazarof’s Cello Concerto, 1969
Feast of St. John Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople, 407
Lutheran & Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay.Nicknamed “Golden-mouth” for his eloquence in preaching, his appointment as Bishop of Constantinople was under a cloud of imperial politics. He was an ascetic in an opulent setting, and refused to bend to protocol. He is remembered for his preaching and for refusing any double standard of justice and morality.
Icons of St. John Chrysostom:
Anonymous Russian Illumination (XIII c.), Bulgarian (XX c.), Byzantine mosaic (Hagia Sophia) (X c.)
Episcopal Commemoration of Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr of Carthage, 258
See September 11th comments.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Clara Wieck Schumann (German pianist, teacher & composer), b. 1819; Arnold Schoenberg (Austrian composer), b. 1874; Alexis Emmanuel Chabrier (French composer), d. 1894; Robert Ward (American composer), b. 1917; Maurice Jarre (French film composer), 1924; First performance of Scott’s Oboe Concerto, 1948; First performance of Stravinski’s Canticum sacrum ad honorem Sancti Marci nomiminis, 1956; First performance of Copland’s Inscape for orchestra, 1967; Leopold Stokowski (English-American conductor & arranger), d. 1977; Dane Rudhyar (French-American composer), d. 1985; First performance of Bernstein’s Concerto for Orchestra Jubilee Games, 1986
Feast of the Holy Cross
Lutheran & Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay.Making the sign of the cross on the body or an object as a sign of blessing is an ancient practice. By the 2nd century, the cross was reported to be a standard Christian symbol, and by the 3rd, tracing the cross on the body was a common practice. It acknowledges that we are Christ’s, and not our own.
Christ on the Cross Adored by Two Donors - Oil on canvas (c. 1580) by El GrecoMUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Michael Haydn (Austrian composer), b. 1737; Maria Luigi Cherubini (Italian composer), b. 1760; First performance of Bruckner’s Mass in B-flat Missa Solemnis, 1954; Jenö Hubay (Hungarian violinist, composer & teacher), b. 1858; Edward Shippen Barnes (American organist), b. 1887; Paul Kochanski (Polish violinist & composer), b. 1887; A. Lehman Engel (American composer & conductor), b. 1910; Rolf Liebermann (Swiss composer), b. 1910; Deryck Cooke (British musicologist), b. 1919; First performance of Martin’s Concerto for Harpsichord, 1952; First performance of Britten’s opera The Turn of the Screw, 1954; First performance of Barber’s Third Essay for Orchestra, 1978; First performance of Danielpour’s Cello Concerto, 1994; First performance of Stockhausen’s Freitag aus Licht, 1996; First performance of Saariaho’s Graal Théâtre, chamber version, 1997; First performance of Amram’s Flute Concerto Giants of the Night, 2002
See September 11 for comments.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Nikitas the Great Martyr
Nikitas was martyred for his confession of Christ; little else is known about him. This icon portrays him in the red cape of martyrdom standing in a posture of victory over the winged and horned Satan.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Bessarion of Larissa
Nothing is known of Bessarion. The icon shows him with the Word of God wearing robes covered with cross symbols, and with a hand raised in blessing.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating Our Lady of Sorrows
Luke says of Mary that a sword will pierce her soul (prediction) and John tells of the words of Christ to Mary from the cross (fulfillment). She is the only disciple present with Jesus throughout his ministry, from birth to death, and one of only three to risk death to stay by him while he died.
The Sorrowing Virgin - Oil on canvas (18th c.) by an unknown Spanish Colonial artistMUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Halfdan Kjerulf (Norwegian composer), b. 1815; Horatio Parker (American composer), b. 1863; Bruno Walter (German conductor), b. 1876; Frank Martin (Swiss composer), b. 1890; Henry Brant (American composer), b. 1913; Richard Arnell (English composer), b. 1917; Anton von Webern (Austrian composer), d. 1945; First performance of Cowell’s Hymn and Fuguing Tune No. 5 for string orchestra, 1946; First performance of Sallinen’s opera King Lear, 2000
Ninian was a Celt thought to be the first major preacher of the Gospel in Britain north of the Roman Wall. He was first among those who preserved the Roman Church traditions while forming the character of Celtic Christianity, a line which later included Patrick (March 17) and Colomba (November 23).
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Euphemia the Great Martyr, c. 303
Euphemia is remembered for living in virginity (perhaps not the norm for holiness in those days) and for her martyrdom. This icon shows her holding a cross and a scroll (Gospel?). The gilt background and gold bejeweled robe symbolize reigning with Christ because of her martyrdom, while the blue robe shows the purity of her life.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Cornelius, 253
Elected pope by the people (an acceptable method until recent history), Cornelius’ tenure was marked by the controversy over the Sacrament of Penance (now Reconciliation), centering on the question of what to do about people who had denied their faith during persecutions. Extremists on both sides (rigorism and laxity) were rejected, and the church reconciled with the apostates after their repentance by word and deed. St. Cyprian was important in this development, also. See September 11 and 13.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Paul Taffenel (French flautist & composer), d. 1844; Nadia Boulanger (French composition teacher), b. 1887; Karol Rathaus (Austrian-American composer), b. 1895; John Evarts (German music adminstrator), b. 1908; First performance of Youmans’ musical No, No, Nanette, 1925; Jere T. Hutcheson (Australian composer), b. 1938; First performance of Ellington’s First Sacred Concert, 1965; First performance of Barbar’s opera Anthony and Cleopatra, 1966; Maria Callas (American-Greek soprano), d. 1977; First performance of Birtwistle’s Panic for alto sax, drummer & orchestra, 1995; First performance of Larsen’s Solo Symphony, 1999
Daughter of a knight and Benedictine nun is remembered for the written record of her visions. Her commentary, including drawings, on them focused on their interpretation and significance. Her legacy also includes letters exchanged with the great and not-so-great personages of the day, books on medicine, songs and a musical play, Ordu Virtutem.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Sophia & her three daughters: Faith, Hope, and Love
Sophia is regarded a martyr because she endured watching her three daughters tortured and beheaded before dying of a broken heart. Their crime: confessing their Christian faith. The icon shows all four holding the cross for which they died.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Robert Bellarmine, 1621
Bellarmine was a Jesuit scholar of church history and the fathers of the church who systemized Catholic doctrine against attacks by the Protestant Reformers. He was instrumental in the condemnation of Galileo, but is remembered for his great theological acumen. Oddly enough, his writing also helped Vatican II conclude that it is not only doctrine that is the crucible of faith; it is the living person of Jesus Christ.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Hildegard von Bingen (German composer), d. 1179; Francesco Geminiani (Italian violinist & composer), d. 1762; Saverio Mercadante (Italian opera composer), baptized 1795; Franz Xaver Sussmayr (Austrian composer), d. 1803; Charles T. Griffes (American composer), b. 1884; Thomas William Lester (American composer), b. 1889; Hendrik Andriessen (Dutch composer & organist), b. 1892; Isang Yun (Korean-German composer), b. 1917; First performance of Delius’ A Song of Summer for orchestra, 1931; First performance of Cowell’s Persian Set for orchestra, 1957; Fritz Wunderlich (German tenor), d. 1966; First performance of Reich’s Tehillim, orchestral version, 1982
With a thorough academic background in political economics and fluency in English and German to supplement his native Swedish, Hammarskjöld spent his life in public service first in Sweden and later at the United Nations. He is remembered for his personal courage and his skill in personal diplomacy while Secretary General of the U.N. His influence is still felt through his journal Markings.
Episcopal commemoration of Edward Bouverie Pusey, Priest, 1882
Pusey is remembered as one of the Tractarians, or Oxford Movement, which attempted to restore the ancient practice of receiving the Communion every week. Their efforts are still seen in the frequent practice of celebrating a modified Morning Prayer without communion and an Eucharist service every Sunday. The name Tractarian derives from the fact that they wrote a tract nearly every month for eight years; the name Oxford Movement comes from the fact that they were all fellows of Oriel College, Oxford. Their efforts extended beyond the liturgy to the spiritual and material welfare of the working classes and poor. This link is an interesting story of Anglican worship.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Joseph of Cupertino, 1663
Joseph is remembered for praying so intensely he levitated, causing something of a sideshow for other worshippers.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Johann Gottfried Walther (composer), b. 1684; Carl Friedberg (German pianist & teacher), b. 1872; Arthur Benjamin (Australian composer), b. 1893; Josef Tal (Polish-Israeli composer), b. 1910; First performance of Thomson’s Concerto for flute, strings & percussion, 1954; First performance of Penderecki’s Dimensions of Time and Silence for orchestra, 1960; Jimi Hendrix (American Rock guitarist), d. 1970; First performance of Shostakovich’s unfinished opera The Gamblers, 1978; First performance of Corigliano’s Fantasia on an Ostinato for orchestra, 1986; First performance of Sheng’s Spring Dreams for cello and orchestra, 1998; First performance of Torke’s Lucent Variations/em> for orchestra, 1998
Theodore was instrumental in uniting those nurtured in Celtic Christianity with those whose faith was of the Roman variety. He is remembered for bringing unity out of division. This link is an interesting summary of early English Christianity.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Januarius, c. 305
Nothing is known about this Christian martyr. This link, however, contains a fine, yet brief, discussion about the relationship between miracles and science.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Gustav Schirmer (German–American music publisher), b. 1829; First performace of Mahler’s Symphony No. 7 Song of the Night, 1908; Allan Pettersson (Swedish composer), b. 1911; Blanche Thebom (American mezzo-soprano), b. 1918; David Drew (English musicologist), b. 1930; Nikos Skalkottas (Greek composer), d. 1949; First performance of Feldman’s The Viola in My Life No. 1 for viola & orchestra, 1970; Robert Casadesus (French composer & pianist), d. 1972; First performance of Previn’s opera A Streetcar Named Desire, 1998; First performance of Torke’s Jasper for orchestra, 1998; First performance of E. Bernstein’s Guitar Concerto, 1999; First performance of Adams’ On the Transmigration of Souls for vocal soloists, chorus & orchestra, 2002
Bishop of Melanesia, and his Companions, Martyrs, 1871
Patteson responded to a call from Bishop George Selwyn (see April 11) for volunteers to minister in the South Pacific. While there, he learned twenty-three of the native languages and established a school to educate native workers. He is also remembered for his efforts to stamp out the slave trade in Melanesia. He and several companions were killed probably by mistaken identity for those efforts.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating
Eustathios the Great Martyr, his wife and two children, 126
Eustathios, a Roman general, was converted after seeing a vision of the cross. Returning home, he discovered that his wife had seen a vision instructing her to become Christian. As a result of their baptism, they lost everything and were scattered abroad for several years, not knowing whether or not the others were alive. They were eventually reunited and returned to Rome where they suffered torture and martyrdom. The icon shows only Eustathios and him in battle garb.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating
Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang and Companions, 1846
Beginning in the late 16th century, Christianity came to Korea surreptitiously because it was a totally closed society. A dozen years later, there were already four thousand Catholics. Taegon was the first native Korean priest, and he was killed during the persecution of 1839-1867. The martyrs included 47 women and 45 men, mostly lay people.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: First performance of Tchaikovsky’s Valse-Scherzo, 1878; Ildebrando Pizzetti (Italian composer), b. 1880; Ferdinand “Jelly Roll” Morton (American composer & jazz pianist), b. 1885; Hans Basserman (German violinist), b. 1888; Kathleen Parlow (Canadian-American violinist), b. 1890; Unno Klami (Finnish composer), b. 1900; Wilhelm Weismann (German composer & teacher), b. 1900; Pablo de Sarasate (Spainish violinist & composer), d. 1908; John Owen Ward (English musicologist), b. 1919; William Kapell (American pianist), b. 1922; First performance of Elgar’s March No 5 Pomp and Circumstance, 1930; First performance of Stravinsky’s In Memoriam Dylan Thomas, 1954; Jean Sibelius (Finnish composer), d. 1957; First performance of Beeson’s opera Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines, 1975
Feast of Matthew the Apostle
Lutheran & Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay.The apostle Matthew was an agent of the Roman government, a tax collector. His inclusion among the disciples demonstrates that the love of Jesus extends to all kinds of people, even outcasts. It is worth noting that the disciples included Simon the Zealot, at the opposite end of the political spectrum of the day. We know nothing about him after Pentecost, but tradition has commemorated him as a martyr. Scholars debate whether he is the author of the Gospel.
St. Matthew the Apostle - Oil on canvas (1610-1614) by El GrecoSt. Matthew, Apostle - Oil on canvas (1610-1614) by El Greco
The Calling of Matthew - Oil on wood (1519-1556) by the Workshop of Jan Sanders van HemessenMUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: François Francoeur (French violinist & composer), b. 1698; Francis Hopkinson (American composer & statesman), b. 1737; First performance of Haydn’s Symphony No. 103 The Drumroll, revised version, 1795; August Wilhelmj (German violinist), b. 1845; Hans Sitt (German violinist & composer), b. 1850; Gustav Hoist (English composer), b. 1874; Norbert Dufourcq (French organist & musicologist), b. 1904; Ewald V. Nolte (Moravian musicologist), b. 1909; Vincent Harris Duckies (American music bibliographer), b. 1913; Carlos Moseley (Chair of the New York Philharmonic), b. 1914; First performance of Friml’s The Vagabond King, 1925; Yuji Takahashi (Japanese composer & pianist), b. 1938; Roger Quilter (English composer), d. 1955; First performance of Brian’s Symphony No. 6 Sinfonia Tragica, 1966; First performance of Maliperio’s Symphony No. 9 Hélas, 1966; First performance of Piston’s Flute concerto, 1972; First performance of Davies’ Trumpet Concerto, 1988; First performance of MacMillan’s Britannia for orchestra, 1994
Chase is remembered for his work preaching on the Midwestern frontier. In addition to his pastoral duties, he founded Kenyon College.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Thomas of Villanova, 1555
Spanish Augustinian friar, the absent-minded Thomas was eventually pressured to become the archbishop of Granada. He voluntarily lived a life of poverty, to the embarrassment of his peers who wanted him to live up to the wealth of his see. Even in his lifetime, he was called “the almsgiver” and “father of the poor.”
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Adolph Karl Kunzen (German organist & composer), b. 1720; Henry T. Finck (American music critic), b. 1854; First performance of Wagner’s Das Rheingold, 1869; Mikolajus Ciurlionis (Lithuanian composer), b. 1875; Elisabeth Rethberg (German soprano), b. 1894; William O. Smith (American clarinetist), b. 1926; Leonardo Balada (Spanish composer), 1933; Michael Torke (American Composer), b. 1961; First performance of Bock’s musical Fiddler on the Roof, 1964; First performance of Barber’s The Lovers, 1971; Irving Berlin (American song composer), d. 1989; First performance of Bernstein’s Arias and Barcarolles, orchestrated version by Sheng, 1989; First performance of MacMillan’s Piano Concerto The Beserking, 1990; First performance of Rouse’s Jagannath for orchestra, 1990; First performance of Glass’ Tirol Concerto for piano & orchestra, 2000; First performance of Zwilich’s Millennium Fantasy for piano & orchestra, 2000
This commemoration celebrates the Annunciation to Elizabeth that is recorded in Luke 1. The icon portrays John as already born and lying in a cradle. Zacharias holds a scroll as he and the angel keep watch over the baby. Elizabeth is on the birthing couch attended to by three women.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Padre Pio da Pietrelcina, 1968
At his canonization ceremony, Pope John Paul II praised Padre Pio’s prayer and charity as well as his witness to the power of suffering. Having received the stigmata at the end of a vision in 1918, he dedicated his life to those spiritual virtues.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: First performance of Gluck’s Armide, 1777; Vincenzo Bellini (Italian composer), d. 1835; A. Walter Kramer (American music critic, publisher & composer), b. 1890; William Levy Dawson (American composer), b. 1899; Walter Hinrichsen (German-American music publisher), b. 1907; Soulima Stravinsky (Swiss-American pianist, composer & musicologist), b. 1910; Hidekazu Yoshida (Japanese music critic), b. 1913; Alexander Arutiunian (Armenian composer), b. 1920; Sándor Kónya (Hungarian tenor), b. 1923; John William Coltrane (American composer & jazz saxophoonist), b. 1926; Robert Helps (American pianist & composer), b. 1928; First performance of Stravinsky’s Threni, 1958; First performance of Copland’s Connotations for Orchestra, 1962; First performance of Diamond’s Elegies for flute, English Horn & strings, 1965; First performance of MacMillan’s Sowetan Spring for winds, 1990; Sir Malcolm Arnold (British composer), d. 2006
Thekla is remembered as a convert by St. Paul who spend her life preaching Christ throughout modern-day Greece and Turkey. At her conversion, she also espoused a life of virginity (and abandoned her husband) for the sake of the Heavenly Bridegroom. Therefore, she was part of the Church’s early controversy over the importance of celibacy for leaders. The icon shows her holding the cross, which was central to her preaching.
St. Thecla Praying for the Plague-Stricken – Oil on canvas (1758-1759) by Giovanni Batista TiepoloRoman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Pacifico of San Severino, 1721
Pacifico is remembered as an ascetic who is remembered for his life of poverty and obedience. He offered his debilitating chronic illness for the conversion of sinners, and he cured many of the sick who came to him.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating St. Silouan of Athos
Nothing is known of St. Silouan. This icon shows him experiencing a vision of Jesus.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Johann Peter Kellner (German organist & composer), b. 1705; André Grétry (Belgian-French composer), d. 1813; Patrick Gilmore (Irish-American bandmaster), d. 1892; First performance of Rimsky-Korsakov’s The Golden Cockerel, 1909; Andrzej Panufnik (Polish composer & conductor), b. 1914; Vaclav Nelhybel (Czeck-American composer), b. 1919; John Rutter (English composer), b. 1945; First performance of Barber’s Piano Concerto, 1962; First performance of Rochberg’s Black Sounds for winds & percussion, 1965; First performance of Picker’s Bang! for orchestra, 1992; First performance of Zwilich’s American Concerto for trumpet & orchestra, 1994
Sergius was instrumental in rallying the people behind the Tzar to defeat the non-Christian Tatars and establish an independent Russia. In that he is a national hero who remained close to his peasant roots, but he is also remembered for his gentle leadership that inspired an awareness of God’s love and a readiness to respond in love and obedience.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorates Euphrosyne of Alexandria, 5th c.
Euphrosyne is remembered as being so devout that she forsook her wealth, disguised herself as a man and entered a monastery where her identity was not discovered until her death 38 years later. This icon portrays her with the humility to forsake all fleeting earthly delights.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Johann Fischer (German composer), b. 1646; Jean Philippe Rameau (French composer), b. 1683; Karl Klindworth (German composer, conductor & violinist), b. 1830; Johann Strauss, Sr. (Austrian composer), d. 1849; Léon Boëllmann (French organist & composer), b. 1862; First performance of Smetana’s opera The Bartered Bride, 4th version, 1870; Roberto Gerhard (Catalonian-British composer), b. 1896; Hans W. Heinsheimer (German-American music publisher), b. 1900; Richard S. Hill (American music bibliographer), b. 1901; Dmitri Shostakovich (Russian composer), b. 1906; First performance of Sibelius’ Symphony No. 3, 1907; Mehli Mehta (Indian conductor & violinist), b. 1908; Julius Fucik (Czech band composer), d. 1916; First performance of Hindemith’s Kammermusik No. 4, Op. 36, no. 3, 1925; Sir Colin Davis (English conductor), b. 1927; Glenn Gould (Canadian pianist), b. 1932; First performance of Vaughan William’s Five Tudor Portraits, 1936; First performance of Ben-Haim’s Capriccio for piano & orchestra, 1960; First performance of Piston’s Lincoln Center Festival Overture, 1962; First performance of Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 2, 1966; First performance of Bernstein’s Divertimento for orchestra, 1980; First performance of Husa’s Concerto for Orchestra, 1986; Jean Françaix (French composer & pianist), d. 1997; First performance of John Adams’ Piano Concerto Century Rolls, 1997; Alicia de Larrocha (Spanish pianist), d. 2009
Andrewes was instrumental in producing the King James Version of the Bible. He was a master of English prose and learned in 21 other languages. A popular preacher in his day, his sermons are likely too academic for modern readers.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating The Falling Asleep of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian
John was the only disciple to follow Jesus to the cross. This icon presumes that the disciple also wrote the Gospel, an assumption that modern Western scholars dismiss. However, the icon reminds us of the evangelical power of that Gospel and of the love that is central to the other writings attributed to John.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Elzear and Blessed Delphina, 14th c.
This is the only Franciscan couple whose holiness is formally recognized. After they were married, they took a vow of perpetual virginity, became Secular Franciscans and dedicated themselves to acts of mercy. As nobles, Elzear ruled territory and household in that spirit.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating Sts. Cosmas and Damian, c. 303
Nothing is known of these saints other than their martyrdom. This link tells some interesting legends about them.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Wenzel Mueller (Austrian composer & conductor), b. 1767; William Billings (American composer), d. 1800; First performance of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, 1835; Alfred Cortot (Franco-Swiss pianist & conductor), b. 1877; Charles Munch (French conductor & violinist), b. 1891; George Gershwin (American composer), b. 1898; First performance of Herbert’s The Fortune Teller, 1898; First performance of Sibelius’ Symphony No. 3, 1907 First performance of Schillings’ opera Mona Lisa, 1915; Frank C. Campbell (American music librarian), b. 1916; First trial run performance of Weill’s musical Knickerbocker Holiday, 1938; Béla Bartók (Hungarian composer & folk song collector), d. 1945; First performance of Bernstein’s musical West Side Story, 1957; First performance of Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 2, 1967 First performance of Wuorinen’s cantata Genesis, 1991; First performance of Kirchner’s Of Things Exactly As They Are for vocal soloists & orchestra, 1997; First performance of Glass’ The White Raven, 1998; Sylvia Marlowe (American harpsichcordist), b. 1908
Vincent dedicated his life to work among the poor, especially country people. Over the years, he established charitable institutions for them, for galley slaves, and for the sick. He was also instrumental in pioneering clerical training in seminaries.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Cyril Scott (English composer), b. 1879; Jacques Thibaud (French violinist), b. 1880; Elly Ney (German pianist), b. 1882; Earl V. Moore (American saxophonist), b. 1890; Vincent Youmans (American composer), b. 1898; Jean Berger (French-American composer), b. 1909; Engelbert Humperdinck (German composer), d. 1921; Igor Kipnis (American harpsichordist & pianist), b. 1930; Gerald Finzi (English composer), d. 1956; First performance of Stravinsky’s Monumentum pro Gesualdo di Venosa ad CD annum for orchestra, 1960
Head of Christ
Head of the Virgin
Head of St. John the Baptist
Lawrence was born of a Chinese father and a Filipino mother, a professional calligrapher, a family man, and a member of the Dominican Confraternity of the Holy Rosary. Accused of murder, he took asylum with three priests who sailed for Okinawa. All were tortured and killed there for preaching the Gospel.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Wenceslaus, 929
King Wenceslaus, lauded in the Christmas carol and patron saint of the Bohemian people, is remembered for upholding Christian values in the midst of political intrigues. In fact, it was those intrigues that caused his death. Modern political activists can remember his example of virtue as they serve God and their people.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Felice Anerio (Italian composer), d. 1614; Johann Mattheson (German composer), b. 1681; Florent Schmitt (French composer), b. 1870; Donald Jay Grout (American music historian), b. 1902; Paul Fromm (Performing arts patron), b. 1906; First performance of Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale for narrator & 7 instruments, 1918; H. Wiley Hitchcock (American musicologist), b. 1923; Vivian Fine (American composer), b. 1913; First performance of Bartók’s Scherzo for piano & orchestra, 1961; Sir George Dyson (English composer), d. 1964; First performance of Petrassi’s Concerto for Orchestra No. 8, 1972; First performance of MacMillan’s Symphony Vigil, 1997
Feast of St. Michael and All Angels
Lutheran & Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay.Scripture is unclear about how much “angel-talk” is figurative, but this feast is a time to give thanks for the many ways God protects and guides us. In thinking about angels, we are also reminded that there is much about God’s creation that we do not understand. Michael is thought to be one of seven archangels; he and Gabriel are the only ones named in the New Testament (Raphael and Uriel are named in the Apochrypha). The word “angel” simply means “messenger,” and that is their function in scripture. This link has lots of information about angelic beings.
Angelic Consort - Oil on canvas (c. 1610) by El Greco
St. Michael – Wood (c. 1490) by Juan de la AbadiaArchangel – Panel (1350) by Guariento d’Arpo
The Archangel St. Michael – Panel (1456) by Jaume HuguetSt. Michael – Painted limewood sculpture (1749) by Károly Bebo
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Kyriakos the Hermit of Palestine, 6th c.
Kyriakos is remembered as an ascetic desert hermit. While few are called to such a life, or to an ascetic life in other physical circumstances, he reminds us that the things of this life, even necessities, are transitory and will distract us from God. This icon portrays Kyriakos and his disciple in the dark robes of spiritual and physical rigor.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Jacques-Martin Hottetere (French flutist & composer), b. 1673; Georg Kinsky (German musicologist), b. 1882; Fabien Sevitzky (Russian-American conductor), b. 1893; First performance of Holst’s The Planets, 1918; First performance of Romberg’s operetta Blossom Time, 1921; Arnold Freed (American composer), b. 1926; First performance of Bliss’ opera The Olympians, 1949; First performance of Henze’s Piano Concerto No. 2, 1968; First performance of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 14, 1969; Alexander Tcherepnin (Russian composer), d. 1977; First performance of Lutoslawski’s Symphony No. 3, 1983; First performance of Torke’s Overnight Mail for chamber ensemble, 1997; First performance of Dun’s Crouching Tiger Concerto, 2000
Feast of St. Jerome, 420
Lutheran & Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay.Jerome’s powerful intellect manifested itself in commentaries and homilies on the biblical books, and especially on his translation of the Bible into the popular form of Latin, the Vulgate. Despite his bad temper and sharp tongue, he was a fierce defender of orthodoxy.
St. Jerome as a Scholar - Oil on canvas (1610-1614) by El Greco
St. Jerome as a Penitent - Oil on canvas (1610-1614) by El GrecoSt. Jerome in His Cell - Tempera on wood (1450s) by Nicholàs Francés
Saint Jerome - Oil on tin? (18th c.) by an unknown Spanish Colonial artistMUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: First performance of Mozart's The Magic Flute, 1791; Johann Svednsen (Norwegian composer), b. 1840; Sir Charles Villiers Stanford (English composer), b. 1852; First performance of Bizet’s opera Les Pecheurs de peries, 1863; Caspar Cassado (Spanish cellist & composer), b. 1897; David Oistrakh (Russian-Ukranian violinist), b. 1908; Harold Rosenthal (English music critic), b. 1917; Patricia Neway (American soprano), b. 1919; Aldo Parisot (Brazilian-American cellist & teacher), b. 1920; Fritz Wunderlich (German tenor), b. 1930; First trial run performance of Gershwin’s opera Porgy and Bess, 1935; First performance of Vaughan Williams’ Oboe Concerto, 1944; First performance of Barber’s Toccata Festiva for organ & orchestra, 1960; First performance of Penderecki’s Te Deum, 1979; Virgil Thomson (American composer & music critic), d. 1989; First performance of Thomas’ Whitman Songs for Orchestra, 1999
Remigius is one of three national saints of France, the others being Denis and Joan of Arc. He was instrumental in the conversion of the Franks to the Orthodox faith rather than the Arian version, and thus was a major influence in the subsequent history of the empire that became Charlemagne’s. This link contains an interesting summary of the history of that historical period.
Saint Remigius Replenishing the Barrel of Oil; Saint Remigius and the Burning Wheat - Oil on wood (late 15th c.) by an unknown Swiss artist
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Thérèse of Lisieux, 1897
In her short 24 years, Thérèse’s prayers and suffering were so profound that she has been proclaimed a Doctor of the Church. She is remembered as the major influence on Mother Teresa and for her autobiography, The Story of a Soul.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating The Feast of the Holy Skepi of the Theotokos
Commemoration of this appearance of the Virgin Mary reaches back to the early 6th century. The icon portrays the miracle in the congregation of worshippers. They are in various postures of prayer and adoration, while the priest holds the Word of God and Mary is surrounded by angels.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: John Blow (British composer), d. 1708; Giovanni Battista Bassani (Italian composer), d. 1716; First performance of Rameau’s opera Hippolyte et Aricie, 1733; Henry Clay Work (American composer), b. 1832; Paul Dukas (French composer), b. 1865; Max Graf (Austrian composer & music critic), b. 1873; Vladimir Horowitz (Russian pianist), b. 1904; First performance of Elgar’s symphonic poem Falstaff, 1913; Margaret Hillis (American choral conductor), b. 1921; Sylvano Bussotti (Italian composer), b. 1931; First performance of Miaskovsky’s Symphony No. 18, 1937; First performance of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 12 The Year 1917, 1961; Ernst Toch (Austrian-American composer), d. 1964; First performance of Session’s Symphony No. 7, 1967; Roy Harris (American composer), d. 1979; First performance of Ives’ (arr. David G. Porter) Emerson Overture for piano & orchestra, 1998; First performance of Adams’ opera Dr. Atomic, 2005
Cyprian was drawn to Justina’s physical beauty, even though she had vowed virginity for the sake of her faith. When his magic failed to attract her to his bed, he turned from it and became a Christian, and was baptized, eventually becoming a bishop. Both were tortured and beheaded for their faith. The icon shows them before the Tree of Life.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating the Feast of the Guardian Angels
The concept of guardian angels is derived from scripture but is not directly taken from it. It is a comfort in difficult times to know that God is present with us in some way. The feast arouse out of the medieval monastic tradition.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: M. D. Calvocoressi (Greek-British music critic), b. 1877; Leroy Shield (American composer & pianist), b. 1893; First performance of Butterworth’s A Shropshire Lad, 1913; Max Bruch (German composer), d. 1920; R. Nathaniel Dett (Canadian-American composer), d. 1943; Joonas Kokkonen (Finnish composer), d. 1996; First performance of Heitzeg’s choral-symphonic work Nobel Symphony, 2001
French nun, Sr. St. Theodore was invited to emigrate to Indiana and form a mother house and noviate in America. They endured natural disasters, prejudice, the pain of separation from loved ones, and the normal rigors of life in close community. She is remembered for her willingness to work hard and take risks for the sake of her vocation.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: First performance of Beethoven’s Overture Consecration of the House, Op. 124, 1822; First performance of Brahms’ Serenade No. 1 in D, Op. 11, 1860; First performance of Gilbert & Sullivan’s operetta The Yeomen of the Guard 1888; First performance of Elgar’s oratorio The Dream of Gerontius, 1900; Stanislaw Skrowaczewski (Polish-American composer & conductor), b. 1923; First performance of Walton’s Viola Concerto, 1929; Carl Nielsen (Danish composer & conductor), d. 1931; Benjamin Boretz (American composer & music theorist), b. 1934; Steve Reich (American composer), 1936; Sir Arnold Bax (English composer), d. 1953; First performance of Ginastera’s Violin Concerto, 1963; First performance of Schuman’s To Thee Old Cause for orchestra, 1968; First performance of Corigliano’s Creations for narrator & chamber orchestra, 1984; Eleanor Steber (American soprano), d. 1990; First performance of MacMillan’s Cello Concerto, 1996; First performance of Davis’ Jacob’s Ladder for orchestra, 1997
Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, 1226
Lutheran & Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay.Francis renounced his family’s wealth and his military career in order to live a life of poverty, to preach the Gospel, and serve the poor. His Order is known for those three things as well as their defense of animals. Francis is also remembered for inventing the crèche as a device for meditation at Christmas.
St. Francis's Vision of the Flaming Torch - Oil on canvas (1600-1605) by El Greco
St. Francis Preaching to the Birds – Painting by Vilmos Aba-Novák (1926)Lutheran commemoration of Theodor Fliedner, renewer of society, 1864
German pastor Theodor Fliedner was the founder of Lutheran deaconess training. His inspiration came from the Mennonites in the Netherlands and from the example of Elizabeth Fry in England. He began his own public service in prison ministry and eventually multiplied his work by establishing school for training women academically and for service. His most famous student was Florence Nightengale (August 12).
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Hierotheos, Bishop of Athens, 1st c.
Hierotheos is reputed to be a 1st century hymn writer, and little else is known of him. Legend has it that he was first instructed by St. Paul and was present at the Virgin Mary’s death. The Icon portrays a man of gentle demeanor in a light purple robe. He holds a book (of Gospels? or of his own hymns?).
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Jean Louis Duport (French cellist), b. 1749; First performance of Cherubini’s opera Anacréon, 1803; First performance of Rossini’s opera Elisabetta, Regina d’Inghilterra, 1815; First performance of Korngold’s pantomime The Snowman, 1910; First performance of Strauss’ opera Ariadne auf Naxos, revised version, 1916; First performance of Dvorák’s Symphony No. 1 in c The Bells of Zlonice, 1936; First performance of Ponce’s Concierto del Sur for guitar & orchestra, 1941; First performance of Copland’s Appalachian Spring, 1945; First performance of Kirchner’s Toccata for strings, winds & percussion, 1956; First performance of Martinu’s Piano Concerto No. 4 Incantations, 1956; First performance of Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1, 1959; First performance of Schuman’s Symphony No. 8, 1962; George Frederick McKay (American composer), d. 1970; Glenn Gould (Canadian pianist & composer), d. 1982
A Bishop Saint and Saint Procopius
The Burial of St. Wenceslas
Charitina is an unknown figure except for her martyrdom during the persecution of Diocletian. The icon shows her holding a cross which signifies the faith for which she died; the sacrificial blood of her death is expressed by her red robe.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Faustina, 1938
The inner life of Polish nun, St. Maria Faustina, is found in her diary where she recorded revelations she received from Christ. She is remembered for faithfully completing her assigned work in the convent and for receiving the message of Christ’s forgiveness in an age that emphasized God’s punishment for sin.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: First performance of Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice, 1762; Cyril Bradley Rootham (British composer & organist), b. 1875; Jacques Offenbach (French composer), d. 1880; First performance of Elgar’s cantata Caractacus, 1898; Alfred V. Frankenstein (American music & art critic), b. 1906; Sidney Harth (American violinist & conductor), b. 1929; Silvestre Revueltas (Mexican composer), d. 1940; Ken Noda (American pianist & composer), b. 1962; First performance of Argento’s A Ring of Time for orchestra, 1972; First performance of Brian’s Symphony No. 28, 1973; First performance of Paulus’ A Place for Hope for chorus & chamber ensemble, 2001
In an age when the predominant theology implied that people could earn salvation through good behavior and penance, Tyndale wrote eloquent pamphlets emphasizing that salvation is God’s free gift. He is remembered for translating the Bible into English, a task that was completed by Miles Coverdale after Tyndale’s death.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Thomas, Apostle of the 12
See also July 3rd. Thomas reminds us by his doubt that the heroes of the faith include those who are weak, since God is the source of all strength and belief, indeed all holiness. He doubted, but he also proclaimed to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” This icon shows resurrected Jesus standing in the doorway of the room offering his side for Thomas’ touch.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Bruno, 1101
After he participated in a papal cleansing of the decadent clergy, Bruno’s house was plundered. He followed his dream of combining hermit living in a community, and persuaded several others to join him. The Order became known as the Carthusians, after the location of the hermitage. Except for Matins and Vespers, each monk lived in silence and solitude. They are remembered for their focused intensity and for their work of copying manuscripts.
San Bruno - Wood (17th century) by Manuel PereyraVision of St. Bruno - Oil on canvas (1643) by Jusepe de Ribera
Portrait of a Carthusian – Oil on wood (1446) by Petrus ChristusMUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: First performance of Jacopo Peri's Euridice, 1600; Jenny (“Swedish nightingale”) Lind (Swedish soprano), b. 1820; First performance of Offenbach’s operetta La Périchole, 1868; Oscar G. Sonneck (American music historian), b. 1873; Julia (“Dutch nightingale”) Culp (Dutch mezzo-soprano), b. 1880; Karol Szymanowski (Polish composer), b. 1882; Edwin Fischer (Swiss pianist & conductor), b. 1886; Maria Jeritza (Jedličková) (Moravian soprano), b. 1887; Hans Mersmann (German musicologist), b. 1891; Ellen Ballon (Canadian pianist), b. 1898; Otto Heinrich Noetzel (Dutch music publisher), b. 1909; Dudley Buck (American organist & composer), d. 1909; First performance of Reger’s A Comedy Overture, 1911; Richard Dyer-Bennet (British-American folk singer), b. 1913; Paul Badura-Skoda (Austrian pianist), b. 1927; First performance of Schuman’s American Festival Overture, 1939; Udo Zimmermann (German composer), b. 1943; Leevi Medetoja (Finnish composer), d. 1947; First performance of Ibert’s Symphonie marine, 1963; First performance of Tippett’s Symphony No. 4, 1977; First performance of Hovhaness’ Symphony No. 65, 1991; First performance of Zemlinsky’s opera Der Künig Candaules, 1996
Muhlenberg was a German Lutheran pastor sent to North America as a missionary. Working principally in Pennsylvania, he was instrumental in establishing the Lutheran Church in America. While he remained neutral during the Revolutionary War, several of his children were active in the Continental Army and later in politics.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Sergius & Bacchus the Great Martyrs of Syria, c. 296
Sergius and Bacchus were men of high rank in Roman imperial service. When it was reported that they did not participate in the festivals of idols, they were arrested, tortured and executed. The icon portrays them mounted on horses carrying a banner with the cross.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating Our Lady of the Rosary
This feast was established in thanksgiving for the military victory over the Turks at Lepanto. Early in the church’s history, the devotional practice developed of saying 150 Lord’s Prayers in imitation of the 150 Psalms. St. Dominic’s followers added the practice of saying 150 Hail Mary’s as a similar devotion. The rosary reminds us to join Mary in contemplating the mysteries of Christ’s birth, death and resurrection as she “held all these things in her heart.”
Virgin of the Rosary with the Trinity, Saints and Doctors - Oil on copper (late 18th c.) by an unknown Mexican artist
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: William Billings (American composer), b. 1746; Friedrich Kiel (German composer & teacher), b. 1821; Gertrude Clarke Whittall (American benefactor of the Library of Congress), b. 1867; First performance of Gilbert & Sullivan’s operetta Utopia Unlimited, 1893; Alfred Wallenstein (American cellist & conductor), b. 1898; First performance of Herbert’s operetta Mlle. Modiste, 1905; First performance of Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera The Golden Cockerel, posthumous 1909; Sir Hubert Parry (English composer), d. 1918; First performance of Foss’ Piano Concerto No. 2, 1951; First performance of Milhaud’s Symphony No. 6, 1956; First performance of Cowell’s Symphony No. 15 Thesis, 1961; First performance of Serebrier’s Poema Elegiaco for orchestra, 1963; First performance of Del Tredici’s Final Alice for soprano & orchestra, 1976; First performance of Pärt’s If Bach Had Raised Bees for harpsichord, electric bass & ensemble, 1983; First performance of Asia’s Gateways for orchestra, 1994; First performance of Heggie’s opera Dead Man Walking, 2000
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Heinrich Schuetz (German composer), b. 1585; François Boieldieu (French composer), d. 1834; Emil Sauer (German composer & pianist), b. 1862; Louis Vierne (French organist & composer), b. 1870; First performance of Nielsen’s Helios Overture, 1903; Mack Harrell (American baritone), b. 1909; Toru Takemitsu (Japanese composer), b. 1930; First performance of Stravinsky’s Ode for orchestra, 1943; Robert Saxon (English composer), b. 1953; First performance of Prokofiev’s opera The Story of a Real Man, posthumously 1960; First performance of Stravinsky’s Requiem Canticles for orchestra, 1966; First performance of Ligeto’s Violin Concerto, 1992; First performance of Corigliano’s Troubadours (Variations for Guitar & Orchestra), 1993; First performance of Kernis’ Garden of Light for soloists, choir & orchestra, 1999; First performance of Torke’s Four Seasons for soloists, choir & orchestra, 1999
A peasant lad who excelled at Oxford University in several fields, Robert was eventually elected Bishop of London. In that position of power, he instituted a reform of the clergy, removing negligent priests and insisting that all priests take seriously their pastoral duties. He spoke out vigorously against the papal practice of appointing absentee clergy and boldly against usurpation of power by the monarch. He was present at the signing of the Magna Carta.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. John Leonardi, 1609
Leonardi “got involved!” He became a priest and began to work in hospitals and prisons. He is remembered for his compendium of Christian doctrine that was in use for three centuries.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Denis and Companions, c. 258
Almost nothing is known about St. Denis, but legends abound. He is regarded as the first bishop of Paris. Presumably the deep impression made by his life reflects an unusual holiness. We remember him because to remember is a symbol of God’s eternal memory. Nothing is ever lost from the memory of God.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating James the Apostle, son of Alphaeus
See October 23 for comments and other links. This icon portrays James in the red robe of martyrdom holding a parchment. His face is caring and his eyes are intense.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: First performance of Rossini’s opera The Siege of Corinth, 1826; Charles Camille Saint-Saens (French composer), b. 1835; Karl Flesch (Hungarian violinist & teacher), b. 1873; First performance of Dvorák’s Requiem, 1891; Carl Parrish (American musicologist), b. 1904; Roger Goeb (American composer), b. 1914; Irmgard Seefried (German soprano), b. 1919; First performance of Janácek’s Taras Bulba, 1921; Einojuhani Rautavaara (Finnish composer), b. 1938; John Lennon (of the Beatles), b. 1940; First performance of Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1, 1955; First performance of Henze’s Symphony No. 4, 1963; First performance of Deak’s Concerto for Oboe d’amore & Orchestra, 1980; First performance of Davis’ opera X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X, 1985; First London performance of Lloyd Webber’s musical Phantom of the Opera, 1986; First performance of Corigliano’s Campane di Ravello, for orchestra, 1987; First performance of Ott’s Symphony No. 3, 1992; Milt Jackson (American jazz vibraphonist), d. 1999; First performance of Bolcom’s opera A View from the Bridge, 1999; First performance of Torke’s symphonic oratorio Four Seasons, 1999
Scudder is remembered as the founder of the Episcopal Church Socialist League. Her character was defined by a deep love of scholarship, a strong social conscience and deep spirituality. A professor at Wellesley, she still was able to invest a great deal of energy in social causes both in and outside the church.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Francis Borgia, 1572
Son of an important family in the Spanish imperial court, Francis gave up public life and his possessions and became a Jesuit. Drawn to a life of seclusion and prayer, his administrative talents were called upon to help found the Gregorian University in Rome and another fifteen colleges. As eventual head of the Society of Jesus, he was responsible for founding the Jesuit missions in the New World.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Giuseppe Verdi (Italian composer), b. 1813; Dimitri Bortniansky (Russian composer), d. 1825; Walter Niemann (German composer & writer on music), b. 1876; Willi Apel (German-American musicologist), b. 1893; Vernon Duke (Vladimir Dukelsky) (Russian-American composer), b. 1903; Paul Creston (American composer), b. 1906; First performance of Strauss’ opera Die Frau ohne Schatten, 1919; Thelonious Monk (American jazz composer & pianist), b. 1920; First performance of Walton’s oratorio Belshazzar’s Feast, 1931; First performance of Gershwin’s opera Porgy and Bess, 1935; First performance of Bernastein’s song cycle La Bonne Cuisine, 1948; First performance of Berio’s Sinfonia for chorus & orchestra, 1968; First performance of Lees’ Symphony No. 4 Memorial Candles, 1985
Feast of Philip the Deacon
Episcopal essay; Greek Orthodox icon.This Philip is probably not the Apostle, but the deacon who shared the title with Stephen, the first martyr, and six others. After Stephen’s death, Philip fled to Samaria for safety and preached there. This is the Philip who met, taught and baptized the eunuch on the road between Jerusalem and Gaza. This link has an interesting discussion of whether or not he was also the Apostle. With his Greek name and background, Philip reminds us that no one is excluded from God’s love and God’s call to ministry. The fact that he had four daughters who prophesied is important in the discussion about the proper role of women in the church.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating Blessed Angela Truszkowska, 1899
Born in central Poland as Sophia, Angela contracted tuberculosis as a young girl and spent much time reflecting on her life. She felt called to serve God by working with the poor, including street children and the elderly homeless. She multiplied her own efforts by recruiting other women to share in the task both in Poland and in the U.S. among the children of Polish immigrants.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: First performance of Chopin’s Piano Concert No. 1 in E minor, 1830; Theodore Thomas (American violinist & conductor), b. 1835; Samuel Wesley (English composer), d. 1837; R. Nathaniel Dett (Canadian-American composer), b. 1882; Archibald T. Davison (American music educator), b. 1883; Richard Burgin (Polish-American violinist & conductor), b. 1892; Albert Stoessel (American composer, violinist & conductor), b. 1894; Anton Bruckner (Austrian composer), d. 1896; Helen Kwalwasser (American violinist & teacher), b. 1927; Russell Oberlin (American countertenor & early music specialist), b. 1928; First performance of Nielsen’s Clarinet Concerto, 1928; First performance of Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 6, 1947; First performance of Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 7, 1952; First performance of Messiaen’s Réveil de oiseaux, 1953; First performance of Zimmermann’s Nobody Knows de Trouble I See for trumpet & orchestra, 1955; First performance of Floyd’s opera The Passion on Jonathan Wader, 1962; First performance of Bernstein’s Songfest, Three Meditations from ‘Mass’ & Slava for orchestra, 1977; First performance of Bernstein’s A Musical Toast (A Fanfare in Memory of André Kostelanetz), 1980; First performance of Zemlinsky’s opera Der Traumgürge, 1980; First performance of Torke’s Vanada for brass, keyboards & percussion, 1985
Symeon is one of only three persons designated “Theologian” by the Eastern Church. This icon portrays him with his mentor Symeon the Pious from whom he learned the depth of his own piety. They both hold parchments indicating the importance of thought and writing for the younger Symeon.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Seraphin of Monegranero, 1604
This Capuchin Franciscan is remembered for his humility and generosity. He imitated St. Francis in fasting, clothing and courtesy to all. His life reminds us that work is for more than money—by it we share with God in the creation and sustaining of the world.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Silvius Leopold Weiss (German composer & lutenist), b. 1686; Giovanni Battista Vitali (Italian composer), d. 1692; Johann Ludwig Krebs (composer), baptized 1713; Max Friedlaender (German bass & musicologist), b. 1852; Arthur Nikisch (Hungarian conductor), b. 1855; Ralph Vaughan Williams (English composer), b. 1872; Healey Willan (English-Canadian organist & composer), b. 1880; Daniel Saidenberg (American conductor & cellist), b. 1906; First performance of Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony, 1910; First performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 10, movements 1 & 3 only, 1924; Jack Gottlieb (American composer), b. 1930; First performance of Bizet’s opera Ivan le Terrible, posthumously 1951; First performance of Dessau’s opera Die Verurteilung des Lukullus, 1951; First performance of Moore’s opera The Wings of the Dove, 1961; First staged performance of Lloyd Webber’s rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar, 1971; First performance of Wilson’s Sinfonia, 1984; First performance of Zwilich’s Celebration for orchestra, 1984; First performance of Sallinen’s Overture Solennel, 1997; First performance of Glass’ opera The Voyage, 1998; First performance of Rautavaara’s Harp Concerto, 2000
The holiness of the King of England was likely the characteristic that enabled him to balance strong competing forces during his realm, both foreign and domestic. His political activity was complemented with personal piety and acts of mercy, and is remembered for establishing royal patronage of Westminster Abbey.
Christ - Oil on canvas (c. 1606) by El GrecoMUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Johann Christoph Pezel (German composer & trumpeter), d. 1694; Moritz Hauptmann (German music theorist & composer), b. 1792; W. J. Turner (Australian music critic), b. 1889; Harrison Kerr (American composer), b. 1897; Gordon Phillips (English organist), b. 1908; Hugo Weisgall (Moravian-American composer), b. 1912; Kurt Michaelis (German oboist), b. 1913; First performance of Mussorgsky’s, arr. Cui, opera The Fair at Sorochinsky, 1917; Loris Zare Tjeknavorian (Iranian composer), b. 1937; First performance of Diamond’s Symphony No. 2, 1944; First performance of Martinu’s Symphony No. 3, 1945; First performance of Kraft’s Nonet for brass & percussion, 1958; First performance of Pettersson’s Symphony No. 7, 1968;First performance of Imbrie’s Concerto for Flute, 1977; Rebecca Clarke (English composer), d. 1979; First staged performance of Bernstein’s opera Candide, 1982; First performance of Asia’s Black Light for orchestra, 1991
While studying for the rabbinate in Germany, Lithuania-born Schereschewsky became a Christian. He emigrated to America to become an Anglican priest, after which he was sent to China as a missionary. He is remembered for his translation of the Bible into the Chinese dialect, Wenli.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Kosmas the Hagiopolite, 8th c. (hymnodist)
Kosmas is remembered as a hymn writer, some of which are still in use. This icon shows him with a scroll of his sacred songs.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Callistus I, c. 223
A slave in imperial Rome, Callistus eventually won his freedom and was elected Pope by the clergy and people of Rome. In doctrine, he defended the unity of the Trinity against those who would separate the persons too much and in discipline, he maintained a balance between laxity and rigorism noting that sin is forgivable given repentance. He was the first pope (other than Peter) to be martyred.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: First performance of Lully’s comedy-ballet Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, 1670; Alexander Zemlinsky (Austrian composer & conductor), b. 1871; First performance of Dvorák’s Violin Concerto, Op. 53, 1883; Joseph Edgar Maddy (American music educator), b. 1891; Marietta Bitter (American harpist), b. 1904; Heida Hermanns (German-American pianist), b. 1906; First performance of Schoenberg’s opera Die glückliche Hand, 1924; Gary Graffman (American pianist), b. 1928; First performance of Gershwin’s musical Girl Crazy, 1930; LaMonte (Thorton) Young (American composer), b. 1935; Jaija Saariaho (Finnish composer), b. 1952; First performance of Hovhaness’ Symphony No. 3, 1956; First performance of Piston’s Violin Concerto No. 2, 1960; First performance of Lugtoslawski’s Cello Concerto, 1970; First performance of Argento’s opera Postcard from Morocco, 1971; Leonard Bernstein (American composer & conductor), d. 1990; First performance of Tsontakis’ The Dove Descending for orchestra, 1995; First performance of Lieberson’s Piano Concerto No. 2 Red Garuda, 1999
Feast of St. Teresa of Avila, 1582
Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay.Teresa de Jesus became a nun as a result of reading the letters of St. Jerome. Her prayer life deepened as she got older to the point of being exemplary in discipline. Her work as a mature nun was to reform the Carmelite Order, to bring it back to its original austerity. Her contemplative influence is still felt through her three books. Teresa and Catherine of Siena (April 29) were the first women to be designated “Doctors of the Church.”
St. Jerome as Cardinal - Oil on canvas (c. 1600) by El GrecoMUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Bernhard Henrik Crusell (Finnish-Swedish composer), b. 1775; First performance of Haydn’s opera La Fedelta premiata, 1780; Friedrich Nietzsche (German philosopher & occasional composer), b. 1844; Frank Van der Stucken (American composer & conductor), b. 1858; Hamilton C. MacDougall (American organist & conductor), b. 1868; First performance of Dvorák’s oratorio St. Ludmilla, 1886; Arcady Dubensky (Russian-American violinist & composer), b. 1890; Gunther Ramin (German organist, conductor & composer), b. 1898; Zdenek Fibich (Czech composer), d. 1900; Dag Wirén (Swedish composer), b. 1905; First performance of Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1, 1933; First performance of Strauss’ opera Daphne, 1938; First performance of Britten’s Serenade for tenor, horn & strings, 1943; First performance of Foss’ The Prairie for orchestra, 1943; First concert performance of Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra “Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Henry Purcell”, 1946; First performance of Xanakis’ Metastasis for 61 instruments, 1955; Cole Porter (American composer), d. 1964; First performance of Starer’s Violin Concerto, 1981; First performance of Davies’ The Jacobite Rising for orchestra, 1997
(Collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art)
and Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1556
When Protestant (for political reasons) Henry VIII died he left the throne to his children. Staunch Protestant Edward had the services translated into English and made other changes to establish the Protestant version of Christianity. When he died, his sister, firmly Roman Catholic Mary ruled for five years during which she persecuted Protestants and instituted policies that led to a number of political disasters. These three churchmen were among the 300 persons Mary had executed.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, 1690
Margaret Mary entered the Order of Visitation at age 24. Six years later, she began to have a series of visions that led her to emphasize the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a symbol of his divine-human love. She understood her own prayer life as a means of making up for the coldness and ingratitude of the world.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Marguerite d’Youville, 1771
After Marguerite’s husband died and her children were grown, she began work in the hospital in Montreal rescuing it at a time of financial crisis and rebuilding it after it was destroyed by fire. She and her companions were called “Grey Nuns” because of the color of their habits. We remember her because adversity led her to compassion rather than bitterness.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Jan Pieters Sweelinck (Dutch composer), d. 1621; Jan Dismas Zelenka (Bohemian composer), b. 1679; Giuseppe Antonio Guarneri (Italian luthier), b. 1681; Silvius Leopold Weiss (German composer & lutenist), d. 1750; Franz (Ferenc) Doppler (Hungarian composer), b. 1821; First performance of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, 1893; First performance of Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire, 1912; Alberto Neopmunceno (Brazilian composer), d. 1920; First performance of Strauss’ Parergon to the Symphonia domestica for piano left hand & orchestra, 1925; First performance of Kodály’s opera Háry János, 1926; Henry Lewis (American conductor), b. 1932; First performance of Miaskovsky’s Symphony No. 13, 1934; First performance of Copland’s ballet Rodeo, 1942; Sir Granville Bantock (British composer), d. 1946; First performance of Messiaen’s Chronochromie, 1960; First performance of Kirchner’s Music for orchestra, 1969; First performance of Davies’ Five Klee Pictures, 1976; First performance of Tower’s Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman No. 3, 1992
Feast of St. Ignatius of Antioch, c. 107
Lutheran & Episcopal essay; Roman CatholicIgnatius was martyred because the Emperor thought that disposition of Christian leaders would dishearten all the others. On his way to Rome to die, Ignatius wrote the seven letters for which he is remembered. In them he does not dwell on his death, but on maintaining Christian unity in love and sound doctrine. He also emphasizes the role of clergy in maintaining unity. The icon in the Episcopal link here shows him in the arena under attack by lions.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating Blessed Contardo Ferrini, 1922
Blessed with a gifted intellect, Ferrini was a linguist and an expert on Roman law. A lay Franciscan, he is remembered for his work in the area of the relationship between faith and science.
Greek Orthodox commemoration of Hosea the Prophet. Click for a Jewish perspective.
Hosea had a wife who was not faithful to him, though he did not know that when he married her. At some point, he had to redeem her from her lover. That much likely is historical fact. Hosea used his life experience as an allegory of Israel’s faithlessness to God, and prophesied that God would redeem her. He has sometimes been referred to as the “prophet of love.”
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: First performance of Bach’s Trauerode, 1727; First performance of Gluck’s ballet Don Juan, 1761; First performance of Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in g, 1831; Johann Nepomuk Hummel (German composer & pianist), d. 1837; Frédéric Chopin (Polish composer), d. 1849; Herbert Howells (English composer), b. 1892; Shinichi Suzuki (Japanese violinist & educator), b. 1898; First performance of Glazunov’s Violin Concerto, 1905; First performance of Schuman’s Symphony No. 3, 1941; First performance of Copland’s Lette from Home, 1944; First performance of Stravinsky’s Epitaphium, 1958; First performance of Peterson’s Face of the Night, The Heart of the Dark for orchestra, 1991; First performance of Lieberson’s Fire for orchestra, 1996
Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist
Lutheran & Episcopal essay; Greek Orthodox icon; Roman Catholic audio essay.This author of the largest portion of the New Testament is the only Gentile among the Gospel writers, and he wrote for the edification and conversion of Gentiles. His Gospel places the Jesus-event firmly in the Roman Empire and traces the progress of the events from the province of Galilee to the provincial capital of Jerusalem; his history then traces the spread of the faith from the provincial capital to the imperial capital of Rome. The icons in these links portray him either in the act of writing or holding his books.
St. Luke - Oil on canvas (1605-1610) by El GrecoSt. Luke Painting the Virgin and Child - Oil on canvas (before 1567) by El Greco
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: John Taverner (English composer & organist), d. 1545; Baldassare Galuppi (Italian composer), b. 1706; Etienne Méhul (French composer), d. 1817; First performance of Brahms’ Double Concerto in a, Op. 102, 1887; Charles Gounod (French composer), d. 1893; First performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 5, 1904; First performance of Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1, 1923; Egil Hovland (Norwegian composer), b. 1924; Heuwell Tircuit (American music critic), b. 1931; First performance of Moross’ Symphonyh No. 1, 1943; First performance of Copland’s Symphony No. 3, 1946; Wynton Marsalis (American jazz trumpeter & composer), b. 1961; First performance of Stravinsky’s Preludium, for jazz ensemble, 1953; First performance of Creston’s Toccata, for orchestra, 1957; First performance of Saeverud’s Minnesota Sympnony, 1958; First performance of Boulez’ Répons for 30 instruments & electronics, 1981; First performance of Birtwistle’s Secret Theater for chamber ensemble, 1984; First performance of Brusa’s Nittemero Symphony, 1990; First performance of Foss’ Solo Transformed for piano & orchestra, 2000
Endowed with extraordinary talent in mathematics and languages, Martyn chose to become a chaplain in India, where, in six years, he translated the New Testament into Hindi and Persian, revised an Arabic translation of the New Testament, and translated the Psalter into Persian and the Prayer Book into Hindi.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Isaac Jogues, John de Brébouf and Companions, 17th c.
These Jesuits were the first officially recognized martyrs in the New World. They worked with the Hurons in Quebec, were captured by enemies of the Huron, the Iroquois, tortured and eventually killed. Brébeuf is remembered for his Christmas carol “’Twas in the Moon of Wintertime.”
Greek Orthodox commemoration of Joel the Prophet. Click for an Evangelical perspective.
Joel lived at a time when the land had been devastated by a locust plague; the whole national structure was threatened. Joel sees a link between this time of natural/national disaster and a time of coming judgment from the Lord – the Day of the Lord—when the enemy would not be locusts, but foreign armies. He preaches the message of seeking God through repentance.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: First performance of Rameau's Dardanus, 1739; First performance of Richard Wagner's Tannhäuser,Dresden version, 1845; First performance of Chadwick’s Symphony No. 3, 1894; Erna Berger (German coloratura soprano), b. 1900; First performance of Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March, No. 1 in D, 1901; Vittorio Giannini (American composer), b. 1903; First performance of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto, revised version, 1905; Karl-Birger Blomdahl (Swedish composer), b. 1916; Emil Gilels (Soviet pianist), b. 1916; First performance of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, 1922; First performance of Honegger’s symphonic movement Ruggy, 1928; Robin Holloway (British composer), b. 1943; First performance of Gould’s Inventions for Four Pianos & Orchestra, 1953; First performance of Thomson’s Autumn for harp, strings & percussion, 1964; First performance of Ran’s Symphony, 1990; First performance of Adams’ Clarinet Concerto, 1996
Artemios was a Roman official during the reign of Constantine the Great. During the reign of Constantine’s successor, Artemios appeared before Julian and censured him for being an apostate to the Christian faith. For his troubles, he was tortured and executed. The icon portrays him in patrician robes and armed with sword and shield indicating his battle with apostacy.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Gerasimos of Cephalonia, 1570
Greek-born Gerasimos studied scripture and the habits of piety from his family. After a period of itinerancy, he settled in Cephalonia where he built a convent and ended his days as an ascetic. The icon shows him holding a scroll of sacred writings.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Maria Bertilla Boscardin, 1922
After a childhood and adolescence living in fear of violence and ridicule, she discovered her vocation as a nurse of very ill and disturbed children. She is remembered for her piety and devoted service to God.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating Blessed Bartholomew of Vicenza, 1271
Bartholomew is remembered as a gifted preacher who used his skills to challenge heresies and encourage unity in the church.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Christopher Gibbons (English composer & organist), d. 1676; First performance of Wagner’s opera Rienzi, 1942; First performance of Lortzing’s opera Undine, 2nd version, 1947; Charles Ives (American composer), b. 1874; Alexander Krein (Russian-Soviet composer), b. 1883; Ferdinand “Jelly Roll” Morton (American composer & jazz pianist), b. 1890; Robert Craft (American conductor, composer & writer on music), b. 1923; First performance of Delius’ A Dance Rhapsody, 1923; William H. Albright (American composer), b. 1944; First staged performance of Hartmann’s opera Simplicius Simplicissimus, 1949; First performance of Hanson’s Pastorale for oboe, strings & harp, 1950; First performance of Mennin’s Concertanto (Moby Dick, 1952; First performance of Hovhaness’ Meditation on Orpheus for orchestra, 1958; First performance of Foss’ Time Cycle for Soprano & Orchestra, 1960; First performance of Henze’s Tristan for piano, orchestra & tape, 1974; First performance of Colgrass’ Déjà vu for orchestra, 1977; First performance of Menotti’s Double-bass Concerto, 1983; First performance of Harrison’s Piano Concerto, 1985
Nothing is known of Christodoulus other than his title or Wonderworker of Patmos, the island where John saw and wrote his Revelation. The icon portrays him holding a church in one hand and a scroll with writing in the other possibly indicating that his scripture-based orthodoxy defended the church against threats. His face is marked by compassion.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Henry Lawes (English composer), d. 1662; First performance of Gretry’s opera Richard Coeur de Lion, 1784; First performance of Offenbach’s comic opera Orphée aux enfers, 1858; Marie-Joseph Canteloube de Malaret (French composer, pianist & writer), b. 1879; Joseph Strimer (German organist & composer), b. 1881; Egon Wellesz (Austrian composer & musicologist), b. 1885; Shukichi Mitsukuri (Japanese composer), b. 1895; Sir Malcolm Arnold (English composer), b. 1921; First performance of Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5, 3rd & final revision, 1921; Marga Richter (American composer), b. 1926; First performance of Nielsen’s Flute Concerto, 1st version, 1926; First performance of Gershwin’s musical Let ‘Em Eat Cake, 1933; First performance of Copland’s Piano Sonata, 1941; Shulamit Ran (Israeli composer), b. 1949; First performance of Menotti’s madrigal-fable The Unicorn, the Gordon and the Manticore, 1956; First performance of Danielpour’s Songs of Solitude for baritone & orchestra, 2004
Averkios was a bishop of Hieropolis who challenged pagans by destroying their idols. When they came for revenge, he cast out the demon afflicting three of their young: the whole city became Christian. The icon portrays the three cured men. I like the prayer at the end of the link which describes him as having achieved the heights by his humility and riches by his poverty.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Seven Holy Martyred Youths of Ephesus, 434
This icon portrays seven youths who fell asleep in a cave while hiding from the persecution of Decius. When they awoke 184 years later, they convinced all of the truth of the bodily resurrection, an item of controversy at that time in the development of the creed. My investigative reporter’s instinct tells me that this was a story invented to support the anti-Gnostic, anti-Docetic political faction that supported the idea of bodily resurrection; it is a concept that cannot be proven by the scientific method or by experience. However much I normally support the scientific method, though, a story such as this offers an often-needed challenge to its infallibility. The question remains open.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Peter of Alcantara, 1562
Peter was a quiet giant among the spiritual sequoias of 16th-century Spain. Confessor to St. Teresa of Avila (December 14; October 15), he began his work on reforming the church by reforming himself. He was diligent in prayer, doing penance and menial service, and a skillful preacher. He is remembered for his extraordinary patience.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Alessandro Scarlatti (Italian opera composer), d. 1725; First performance of Handel’s Coronation Anthems, 1727; Jan Marie LeClair (French composer & violinist), d. 1764; Franz Liszt (Hungarian pianist & composer), b. 1811; Alexander W. Thayer (American authority on Beethoven), b. 1817 ; Leopold Damrosch (German-American conductor), b. 1832; Rob¬ert Eitner (German musicologist), b. 1832; Ludwig Spohr (German composer, violinist & conductor), d. 1859; Karl Muck (German conductor), b. 1859; Frank La Forge (American pianist, accompanist & composer), b. 1879; Giovanni Martinelli (Italian tenor), b. 1885; Kees van Baaren (Dutch composer & teacher), b. 1906; Hans Swarsenski (American musicologist & editor), b. 1916; First American performance of Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin, 1920; First performance of Carpenter’s Symphony No. 2, original version, 1942; Paul Zukofsky (American violinist & conductor), b. 1943; First performance of Penderecki’s Capriccio for violin & orchestra, 1967; Pablo (Pau) Casals (Spanish cellist & composer), d. 1973; Nadia Boulanger (French composition teacher), d. 1979; First performance of Adams’ opera Nixon in China, 1987; First performance of Colgrass’ Snow Walker for organ & orchestra, 1990; First performance of Harbison’s The Most Often Used Chords for orchestra, 1993
Feast of St. James the Elder, the Apostle
Lutheran & Episcopal essay; Greek Orthodox icon.The brother of Jesus, James apparently became a disciple after the Resurrection and quickly became leader of the church in Jerusalem. His death is reported by two non-biblical, Christian writers of the 1st and 2nd centuries. He is remembered for his ability to build concensus, especially in the first council that determined that it was unnecessary to become Jewish in order to be a Christian. He is also thought to have written the Epistle of James. The icon in the Episcopal link portrays him in the blue robes of purity with a vision of Jesus in the upper corner, and holding a book, indicating his authorship of the Epistle. The Orthodox icon shows him in the red robe of martyrdom holding the book.
St. James the Less - Oil on canvas (1610-1614) by El GrecoFranciscan audio essay commemorating St. Hilarion, 371
Hilarion wanted to live in prayer and solitude, but his holiness drew people to him to drink of his spiritual wisdom and peace. His lifestyle was one of hardship and simplicity in the desert, a truly ascetic one. He is remembered as the founder of monasticism in Palestine.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. John of Capistrano, 1456
In contrast to the saints who thrive on solitude and meditation, John was an activist. In the midst of the social, political and spiritual upheavals of the 14th century, he became a Franciscan and a priest whose preaching drew large crowds and led to a spiritual revival in central Europe. In addition, he cleansed his Order and enabled a temporary reunion between the Greek and Armenian churches. John is also remembered for leading an army in battle that successfully lifted the Turkish siege of Belgrade.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: First performance of Rameau’s opera-ballet Anacréon, 1754; Albert Lortzing (German composer), b. 1801; A. Archangelsky (Russian composer), b. 1846; First performance of MacDowell’s symphonic poem Lamia, 1903; Genia Nemenoff (French-American pianist), b. 1905; Miriam Gideon (American composer), b. 1906; First performance of Delius’ On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring & Summer Night on the River for orchestra, 1913; Ned Rorem (American composer), b. 1923; First performance of Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto, 1931; First performance of Still’s Plain Chant for America for orchestra, 1941; First performance of Piston’s Three New England Sketchesfor orchestra, 1950; First performance of Rorem’s Eagles for orchestra, 1959; First performance of Hovhaness’ Symphony No. 17 Symphony for Metal Orchestra, 1963; First performance of Sessions’ Concerto for Orchestra, 1981; First performance of Danielpour’s Celestial Night for orchestra, 1997
Anthony is remembered for his social justice actions regarding slavery and concubinage while he was Archbishop in Cuba; he survived an assassination attempt aimed to stop his activity. He founded a major religious publishing house in his native Spain and wrote 200 books and pamphlets.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: First performance of Rameau’s opera Castor et Pollux, 1737; Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf (Austrian violinist & composer), d. 1799; Ferdinand Hiller (German composer, conductor & pianist), b. 1811; Charles Sanford Terry (English historian & Bach scholar), b. 1864; Imre (Emmerich) Kalman (Hungarian operetta composer), b. 1882; Florence Easton (English soprano), b. 1884; First performance of Strauss’ operetta The Gypsy Baron, 1885; First performance of Herbert’s operetta Naughty Marietta, 1910; Luciano Berio (Italian composer), b. 1925; George Crumb (American composer), b. 1929; First performance of Roussel’s Symphony No. 3, 1930; Sofia Gubaidulina (Russian composer), b. 1931; First performance of Bennett’s Symphony Abraham Lincoln, 1931; First performance of Miaskovsky’s Symphony No. 16, 1936; First performance of Bernstein’s ballet Facsimile, 1946; First performance of Cowell’s Symphony No. 4 Short Symphony, 1946; Franz Lehár (Austrian composer), d. 1948; Joaquin Nin y Castellanos (Cuban composer), d. 1949; First performance of Penderecki’s Kosmogonia for orchestra, 1970; Carl Ruggles (American composer), d. 1971; First performance of Larsen’s Marimba Concerto After Hampton, 1992; First performance of Birtwistle’s opera The Second Mrs. Kong, 1994; First performance of Burgon’s Piano Concerto, 1997; First performance of Corigliano’s DC Fanfare for orchestra, 1997; First performance of Reich’s Different Trains, orchestral version, 2001
Brazian-born Antônio was a Franciscan and a priest, a preacher, confessor and porter. He is remembered for his dedicated service to the monasteries and convents of São Paulo, and for his work on behalf of the sick and slaves.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Hans Leo Hassler (German composer & organist), b. 1564; Jean Titelouze (French composer & organist), d. 1633; First performance of Weber’s opera Euryanthe, 1823; Johann Strauss “the Younger” (Austrian composer), b. 1825; Alexandre Cesar Leopold (Georges) Bizet (French composer), b. 1838; First performance of Verdi’s opera Il Corsaro, 1848; Alexandre Gretchaninov (Russian composer), b. 1864; Georg Schumann (German composer & conductor), b. 1866; First performance of Tchaikovksy’s Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 23, 1875; First performance of Brahms’ Symphony No. 4, 1885; First performance of of Strauss’ opera Ariadne auf Naxos & incidental music to Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, 1912; Don Banks (Australian composer), b. 1923; First performance of Milhaud’s ballet La Création du Monde, 1923; First performance of Martin’s Concerto for Seven Wind Instruments, Timpani, Percussion & Strings, 1949; First staged performance of Janácek’s opera Fate, 1958; First performance of Martinu’s Violin Concerto, 1973; First performance of Kim’s Violin Concerto, 1979; First complete performance of Phantasmata for orchestra, 1986
Sixteenth-century Hymn Writers
Lutheran commemoration of Philipp Nicolai, 1608A second-generation Lutheran pastor, Nicolai’s ministry took place during the horrors of the plague and religious wars that killed nearly half of Europe’s population. Despite the perils he and his congregation faced, he was still a vigorous defender of Lutheran theology against the Calvinists. He is remembered for writing the words and music of two hymns: “Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying,” and “How Bright Appears the Morning Star.”
Lutheran commemoration of Johann Heermann, 1647
Personal illness, the plague and war challenged Heermann’s ministry throughout his life. He is remembered for moving the hymns of the Church away from objective statements of doctrine to the expression of the feelings of the believer. His best-known hymn is “Ah, Holy Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended,” set to a tune by Johann Crüger.
Lutheran commemoration of Paul Gerhardt, 1676
So many of Gerhardt’s 123 hymns show the mark of genius that almost 40 are still in use. Although he was a celebrated preacher, he had trouble maintaining a pastorate because he was so partisan in the debates between the Lutheran and Calvin theologies. The controversies of his life caused him to write many hymns on the meaning of trusting in God.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Demetrios the Myrrhbearer & Great Martyr of Thessaloniki
Demetrios, a noble of Thessalonica, was imprisoned for being a Christian. While under arrest, he blessed the combat efforts of a gladiator. When the gladiator slew the champion of the people of highest rank, Demetrios was executed. The icon shows him in battle garb, although he fought only vicariously.
Episcopal commemoration of Alfred the Great, King of the West Saxons, 899
Christian Celtic Britain was invaded by the Anglo-Saxons who were then converted to Christianity. A second wave of invasion came from the North when the pagan Danes threatened to take over the land. Alfred is credited with turning them back, giving them part of the North in exchange for their conversion. He is also remembered for his efforts to reconstruct cultural and educational institutions after peace was established.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Domenico Scarlatti (Italian composer), b. 1685; Johan Helmich Roman (Swediah composer), b. 1694; First performance of Mozart’s Mass in C minor, K. 427, 1783; First performance of Bruckner’s Symphony No. 2, 1873; Peter Cornelius (German composer), d. 1874; First performance of Dvoaák’s symphonic poem The Golden Spinning Wheel, Op. 109, 1896; Mahalia Jackson (American singer), b. 1911; First performance of Muusorgsky’s, arr. Cui, opera The Fair at Sorochinsky, posthumously 1917; First performance of Elgar’s Cello Concerto, 1919; First performance of Shostakovich’s ballet The Age of Gold, 1930; First performance of Bloch’s Suite Symphonique, 1945; First performance of Schuman’s New England Triptych for orchestra, 1956; First performance of Diamond’s Symphony No. 8, 1961; First performance of Ward’s opera The Crucible, 1961; First performance of Schuller’s Piano Concerto, 1962; First performance of Piston’s Concerto for string quartet, winds, brass & percussion, 1976
Nestor is the gladiator described in the account of St. Demetrius (October 26). This icon portrays him in full battle garb.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: John Jenkins (English composer), d. 1678; Niccolò Paganini (Italian violinist & composer), b. 1782; First performance of Bellini’s opera Il Pirata, 1827; First performance of Mussorgsky’s, re-orchestrated by Rimsky-Korsakov A Night on Bald Mountain, posthumously 1886; Helmut Walcha (German organist), b. 1907; Conlon Nancarrow (American-Mexican composer), b. 1912; First performance of Stenhammar’s incidental music for Strindberg’s A Dream Play, 1916; Dominick Argento (American composer & teacher), b. 1927; Fred Sherry (American cello), b. 1948; First performance of Stravinsky’s Mass, 1948; First performance of Creston’s Symphony No. 3, Op. 48, 1950; First performance of Villa-Lobos’ Harmonica Concerto, 1957; First performance of Henze’s ballet Undine, 1958; Oliver Nelson (American jazz composer & arranger), d. 1975; First performance of Druckman’s Lamia for orchestra, 1975; First performance of Stucky’s Concerto for Orchestra, 1988; First performance of Rouse’s Iscariot for chamber orchestra, 1989; Sir Andrzej Panufnik (Polish-British composer), d. 1991; First performance of Asia’s Symphony No. 4, 1993; First performance of Mackey’s Eating Greens for orchestra, 1994; First performance of Rouse’s Flute Concerto, 1994; First performance of Torke’s Flint for chamber ensemble, 1995
Feast of Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles
Lutheran & Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay.In the list of Christ’s disciples, Simon is also called “Simon the Zealot” and Jude is sometimes called “Thaddeus.” There is little historical information about them; the disciple likely is not the author of the Epistle of Jude. The Episcopal link includes a helpful discussion of the prayers of the saints (living and dead). The Roman Catholic link makes the important point that our lack of historical knowledge about some saints is an indication that holiness, in all cases, is a gift of God and not based on human merit.
St. Simon - Oil on canvas (1610-1614) by El GrecoSt. Thaddeus (Jude) - OIl on canvas (1610-1614) by El Greco
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Joseph Bodin de Boismortier (French composer), d. 1755; Henri Bertini (French composer & pianist), b. 1798; Conrado del Campo (Spanish composer & violist), b. 1879; Jerome D. Bohm (American record reviewer), b. 1892; First performance of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 Pathétique, 1893; Howard Hanson (American composer & conductor), b. 1896; First performance of Strauss’ An Alpine Symphony, 1915; Claramae Turner (American contralto), b. 1920; First performance of Loeffler’s The Canticle of the Sun for voice & orchestra, 1925; Carl Sigmon (American writer on music), b. 1926; First performance of Still’s Symphony No. 1 Afro-American, 1931; First performance of Miaskovsky’s Symphony No. 15, 1935; First performance of Strauss’ opera Capriccio, 1942; First performance of Martinu’s Memorial to Lidice, 1943; First trial run performance of Bernstein’s incidental music for The Lark, 1955; First trial run performance of Bernstein’s musical Candide, 1956; First performance of Rorem’s Lions for orchestra & jazz combo, 1965; First performance of Feldman’s Pianos & Voices, 1972; First performance of Ince’s Flight Box for ensemble, 2001
Episcopal Commemoration of James Hannington, Bishop of Eastern Equatorial Africa, and his Companions, Martyrs, 1885
Christians in Uganda have a common heritage of martyrdom for their faith causing the various communions of Christianity to get along well together. The very numerous Christians in this nation have suffered when pagan leaders kings have ruled. Hannington was among the first of dozens who were killed during the 1880s, but the persecutions persisted sporadically through the 1970s.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Narcissus of Jerusalem, 215
Narcissus became bishop of Jerusalem late in the 2nd-century, retired from his post, and re-emerged to serve again. He was known for his holiness and perhaps for a measure of rigidity and harshness in discipline; many miracles were attributed to him during his century of life.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Andreas Hammerschmidt (Bohemian-German composer & organist), d. 1675; First performance of Mozart's Don Giovanni, 1787; First performance of Donizetti’s opera Roberto Devereux, 1837; David Saperton (American pianist), b. 1889; Daniele Amfiteatrov (Russian-American composer & conductor), b. 1901; First performance of Hill’s symphonic poem The Fall of the House of Usher, 1920; Jon Vickers (Canadian tenor), b. 1926, First performance of Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1, 1955; First trial run performance of Bernstein’s musical Candide, original version, 1956; First performance of Milhaud’s Music for Indiana, 1966; First performance of Persichetti’s Symphony No. 8, 1967; First Off Broadway performance of Sondheim’s revue Marry Me a Little, 1980
Job-like tragedy afflicted Alphonsus as a young man, and he joined the Jesuits whom he served as a doorkeeper. He is remembered as a man of prayer and simple service (including to black slaves). He is patron saint of Majorca.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Karl Joseph Lipinski (Polish violinist), b. 1790; Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge (American music benefactor), b. 1864; First performance of Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings, 1881; Peter Warlock (English composer), b. 1894; First performance of Beach’s Gaelic Symphony, 1896; Shinichi Yuize (Japanese koto player), b. 1923; Teo Macero (American jazz composer & saxophonist), b. 1925; First performance of Rieger’s Study in Sonority for orchestra, 1929; First performance of Copland’s ballet Appalacian Spring, 1944; First performance of Siegmeister’s Symphony No. 1, 1947; First performance of Weill’s musical Lost in the Stars, 1947; Emmerich K&##225;lmán (Hungarian operetta composer), d. 1953; First performance of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 11 The Year 1905, 1957; First performance of Rorem’s Nantucket Songs for voice & piano, 1979; First performance of Davis’ Tales (Tails) of a Signifying Monkey for orchestra, 1998
Lutheran commemoration of Reformation Day
A Protestant Allegory – Panel by Girolamo da Treviso the Younger (1542-44)The Protestant Reformation is celebrated on this day because it is the date Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door. In fact, the undercurrents and first efforts began hundreds of years earlier and the aftershocks continued long after 1514. Some efforts were as much political as theological, such as in England, the subject of the painting in the link. Most of the Reformation had political repercussions as monarchs of various persuasions used the dispute to fight over land and power. However, the theological issues were real. Indulgences symbolized the conflict over the relative importance of grace and merit in the process of salvation. The invention of the printing press made it possible to place the vernacular Bible in the people’s hands; and the resulting change of emphasis from a visual to an auditory mode of learning caused church architecture to change from the use of stained glass and high vaults to balconies so that people could hear scripture read and proclaimed. The simultaneous rise of nationalism in Europe created an intense debate (and wars) over papal authority versus national interests. The Roman Catholic response at the First Vatican Council was a mixture of accommodation and rigid rejection of the Protestant challenge.
Martin Luther (1483-1546) Oil on wood (early 16th c.) by the Workshop of Lucas Cranack the ElderFranciscan audio essay commemorating St. Wolfgang of Regensburg, 994
German-born Wolfgang became a Benedictine monk who never lost his desire for a life of prayerful solitude. However, his work of service to the poor, preacher, educator and missionary kept him from it. As bishop he continued his austere lifestyle and initiated a program of clergy reform. His path to holiness, like it is for us, was to do what needed to be done.
MUSICAL ANNIVERSARIES TODAY: Philippe de Vitry (French composer & music theorist), b. 1291; Louise Talma (American composer), b. 1806; irst performance of Brahms’ Theme and Variations, 1965; Max von Pauer (Austrian pianist & teacher), b. 1866; First performance of Offenbach’s operetta La Vie Parisienne, 1866; Mihály Mosonyi (Michael Brand) (Hungarian composer), d. 1870; First performance of Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 4 in c, Op. 44, 1875; Georges Barrere (French flautist), b. 1876; First performance of Mascagni’s opera L’amico Fritz, 1891; Robert B. Sour (American film composer), b. 1905; Christian Wolff (French-American pianist & composer), b. 1913; First performance of Hindemith’s Kammermusik No. 2, Op. 36, No.1, 1924; First performance of Chávez’ Toccata for percussion, 1947; Odaline de la Martinez (Cuban-American composer), b. 1949; First performance of Blitzstein’s opera Regina, 1949; First performance of Hovhaness’ Symphony No. 2 Mysterious Mountain, 1955; First performance of Stravinsky’s The Owl and the Pussycat, 1966; First performance of Crumb’s Ancient Voices of Children, 1970; First performance of Rorem’s String Symphony, 1985
Feast of All Saints' Day
Lutheran & Episcopal essay; Roman Catholic audio essay.Begun as a commemoration of martyrs to the invaders of Rome in the 4th century, it did not become universal in the West until the 9th century; many in the East celebrate it during Easter or right after Pentecost. Although it began as a tribute to martyrs, the Church also acknowledged other paths to holiness, so the commemoration was broadened. Its principal liturgical device is the use of a litany. The icon illustrates the broad inclusion of those who have died in the Lord (in the lower part of the icon) and those holy men and women who preceded Christ in death (in the upper portion).
Synaxia of All Saints – Icon by an Unknown Russian Master (early 17th c.)
Burial of the Count of Orgaz - Oil on canvas (1586-1588) by El GrecoBurial of the Count of Orgaz - Detail
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Cosmas & Damianos the Holy Unmercenaries & their mother Theodota
Cosmas and Damianos were physicians who had been reared in the faith by their mother. Their faith motivated their healing ministry. The icon portrays them among twenty saints under the upraised hands of blessing of Christ.
Feast of All Souls
Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay.Prayer for the dead and the concept of Purgatory when God will finish the task of regeneration of the soul of the believer is a divisive idea. There are so many non-Christian cultures that use prayers for the dead for other ends, that any similar practice among Christians may be quite suspect. However, the Letter to the Hebrews indicates a belief in the cloud of witnesses that not only observes, but looks after, us. A prayer that expresses our unity with those who have gone before us and keeps alive their memory is helpful.
In the controversy over church government between Hooker’s Anglicans and the English Puritans, Hooker wrote his statement of the Anglican means of discovering God, the via media, neither Puritan nor Roman. Significantly, he argued that even those (Romanists) who did not believe in justification by faith may be saved by it because God is not bound by our beliefs.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Marin de Porres, 1639
Descended from racially mixed parents in Panama, Marin joined the Dominicans as a “lay helper” because he felt too inferior to be a full brother. His devotion was such, however, that the community invited him to make a full profession. Skilled in medicine, he served all, regardless of color, race, or status. He is remembered for overcoming racism by his example.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating Venerable Solanus Casey, 1957
Studies were difficult for him, so he was not allowed to hear confessions or preach doctrinal sermons, but he was widely loved as an inspirational speaker. While a porter at St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit, nearly 200 people came to see him every day for his blessing and for consultation. He is remembered for his love for people.
The Devoutness of St. Ladislas - Oil on canvas (1858) by Mihály KovácsBorromeo lived during the Protestant Reformation and, due to his negotiating skills, was instrumental in forming the Roman Catholic response and reform during the Council of Trent. As Bishop of Milan, he put the reforms into practice and led an apostolic renewal of clergy and laity. He is also remembered for practicing poverty, piety and service in his own life.
Some have called Temple the most significant Anglican leader of the 20th century. He believed that theological ideas were often explored most effectively by writers who were not explicitly writing theology, so he read poetry and a few significant novels. As a university debater, he developed a remarkable ability to sum up an issue, expressing the pros and cons so clearly and fairly that the original opponents often ended up agreeing with each other. This ability served him in good stead later when he moderated conferences on theological and social issues. He thought that beliefs and ideas reach their full maturity through their response to opposing ideas, a belief that stood him in good stead as a leader of the ecumenical movement and Britain’s Labour Party. As Archbishop of Canterbury he worked for the relief of Jewish refugees.
Heyer was the first missionary sent out by Lutherans in America. After an early stint on the faculty of Gettysburg College and Seminary he evangelized as far as Missouri and Minnesota with time out between for fifteen years of mission work in India.
Episcopal Commemoration of Willibrord, Archbishop of Utrecht, Missionary to Frisia, 739
About a century after the English in the south and east had received missionaries from Rome and the Continent, and in the north and west from Celtic people of Scotland, Ireland and Wales, they sent out missionaries of their own. Willibrord was one of the latter who evangelized in the Netherlands, with a short diversion to Denmark. The ties lasted between Utrecht and the Church of England, and are still in place today.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Didacus, 1463
Spanish Franciscan, Didacus, lived for a while as a hermit who had the reputation of great insight into God’s ways and of extravagant charity with the poor. He volunteered for missionary work in the Canary Islands where his efforts met with great success. He spent the last fifteen years of his life in contemplation. He is remembered for his wisdom in the ways of God.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Synaxis of the Archangel Michael & the other Bodiless Powers: Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, & Barachiel
This commemoration is of all guardian angels, especially the seven Archangels. The icon shows the three who are named in scripture with Christ at their center.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating Blessed John Duns Scotus, 1308
John, born at Duns in Scotland (hence the surname Duns Scotus), was a perfect illustration of St. Francis’ ideal monk, and intellectual who was humble and prayerful. He had the ability to appreciate diverse systems of thought while still managing to be an independent thinker. His independence caused him to stand with the concept of papal authority when French nationalism threatened it.
Nektarios rose through the ecclesiastical ranks so quickly that others envied him and falsely accused him of immorality. He was forced out of office and became a provincial preacher. He is remembered for his eloquent sermons, his generosity to the poor despite his own poverty, and his fatherly love which is reported to have resulted in many miracles. The icon portrays him as an elderly and kindly man holding a Bible and giving a blessing with his hand.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating the Dedication of St. John Lateran
St. John Lateran is the Pope’s church. First dedicated in the 4th century when Constantine gave the land for it, it remained in use until its destruction during the papal exile in the Middle Ages. This commemoration is of the re-commissioning of the basilica in the 17th century.
Feast of St. Leo the Great, 461
Episcopal essay; Roman Catholic audio essay.At a time when the Roman government had been moved to Constantinople and even the Italian administration was not in Rome, Leo was the most important official in the city. He became responsible for grain distribution and organizing the municipal fire fighters. Leo was instrumental in delaying the advances of Atilla the Hun and negotiated with the Vandals when the captured Rome to prevent its total destruction. He is remembered for the advances in papal authority that were made during his tenure, for his efforts to defeat heresy, and for his support for the doctrine of Christ’s two natures in one person that was articulated by the Council of Chalcedon, also during his reign.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Holy Father Arsenius of Cappadocia
Nothing is known of Arsenius other than his bishopric of Cappadocia. The icon portrays an elderly man in ascetic robes of a spiritual leader holding a Bible and extending a blessing with his hand.
Feast of St. Martin of Tours, 397
Episcopal essay; Franciscan audio essay.After a successful military career, Martin was baptized and became a disciple of Hilary of Poitiers (January 13) and an avid opponent of the Arian denial of the full divinity of Christ. That theological position was in the political minority of the day and caused him to be publically scourged and exiled. He established the first monastery in France, one that lasted until the French Revolution. He is remembered for his tireless work for justice and the personal risks he was willing to take for the merciful treatment of the condemned.
Lutheran commemoration of Søren Aabye Kierkegaard, teacher, 1855
Danish philosopher and theologian Kierkegaard stood in opposition to the Hegelian philosophy of his time and to the empty formalities of the Church of Denmark. His thought is still influential because he dealt with the major religious themes of faith in God, the institutional Church, Christian ethics, and the emotions of those who face life choices.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Menas of Egypt, 296
Menas began his career as a soldier, but withdrew from the military to live an ascetic life of prayer. He went to a pagan festival at which he publically announced his faith in Christ, for which he was tortured and executed. The icon portrays him holding a cross which was central to his life and witness, and clad with the red robe of martyrdom.
After his ordination to the Anglican priesthood, Simeon became Chaplain of Holy Trinity, Cambridge, the only appointment of his entire career and one that lasted 55 years. His work transformed the lives of generations of students, including Henry Martyn (October 19) and William Wilberforce (July 20). He is remembered for his international influence brought about by faithful service in one small point of service.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Josaphat, 1623
Josaphat was a Polish-born Orthodox priest who dedicated his life to bridging the centuries-old split between Orthodoxy and Catholicism. His efforts, or course, created opposition and eventually led to his martyrdom. He is the first Orthodox person to be recognized as a saint by the Roman Church.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria, 619
John is remembered for his vigorous opposition to heresies in the Egyptian Church, but most of all for is generosity, humility and compassion for all, especially the poor. The icon portrays him in Patriarch’s robes, holding a scroll denoting his doctrinal orthodoxy. The arm of Christ is guiding him from an upper corner.
Chrysostom, the golden-mouthed orator, is remembered for the clarity of his explanations of Christian faith and morals, and for the easy with which rich images fill his 1447 extant sermons and writings. He, like John the Baptist, thundered against the lax morals of the wife of the Emperor—the consequence of which was two separate exiles. The icon shows him as a thoughtful man who holds the Bible from which he drew so much of his life’s work.
Icons of John Chrysostom: 10th century 16th century 20th century
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, 1917
Italian-born Frances was the first U.S. citizen to be canonized. She came to New York City in 1880 and began her life’s work among the Italian immigrants. Her first task was to establish an orphanage; then followed the founding of 66 more institutions to care for the poor, the abandoned, and the sick. She also organized schools and adult education classes.
Seabury is remembered as the first Anglican Bishop in the new American nation. He was consecrated by the Church of Scotland, whose leaders had not taken the required oath of allegiance to the English monarch for reasons deeply buried in the political history of the British Isles. The Scottish root of American Anglicanism is the reason for the Cross of St. Andrew that still adorns the Episcopal Church flag. Despite the political intrigue, apostolic succession was maintained.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Philip the Apostle
Philip was the Apostle who, immediately upon his call by Jesus, evangelized Nathaniel. The icon shows him a young man with a compassionate face.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessaloniki
Nothing is known of Gregory except that he was Archbiship of Thessalonika. The icon shows him in liturgical vestments holding a Bible, all seemingly bejeweled indicating his possession of the wealth of a heavenly life of the spirit.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Holy Great New Martyr Constantine of Hydra
Nothing is known of Constantine except his martyrdom. The icon portrays him as a relatively young man dressed in a simple, white tunic of purity with the red cloak of martyrdom around his shoulders. He holds a cross in his hand indicating his identification with the cross (death) of Christ.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Nicholas Tavelic and Companions, 1391
Croatian-born Franciscan Tavelic volunteered for missions in the Holy Land, where he was curator of Christian holy places and cared for pilgrims who visited them. He and his three companions are among the 158 Franciscans who have been martyred since they became custodians of the shrines in the 14th century. They were killed for direct evangelism among the Muslims.
Frame Drum - Dakota (19th c.) by an unknown artist
Cauyuk - Alaskan Native American (19th c.) by Chilkat/Koluschan
Rattle - Canadian Native American (19th c.) by Masseth or Haida people
Whistling Jar - Peru (1000-1476) by an unknown artist
Pottery Whistle - Mexican (300-600) by an unknown artist
Rattle - Canadian Native American (19th c.) by Tsimshian
Pottery Whistle - Mexican (900-1521?) by an unknown artist
Pottery Rattle - Mexican (19th c.) by an unknown artist
Pottery Whistle - Costa Rica (800-1525) by an unknown artist
Ocarina - Colombia (1300-1500) by an unknown artist
Feast of St. Margaret of Scotland, 1093
Episcopal Feast; Roman Catholic essay; Roman Catholic audio essay.Descendant of the Anglo-Saxon royal house of England, Margaret was educated in Hungary where her family was in exile during the reign of the Danish invaders of England. After the Norman invasion of 1066, she was still a threat to the reigning monarch, so she went to Scotland where she married King Malcolm III. She proved to be both a civilizing and a holy presence, and is remembered as a woman of prayer whose good works were a positive influence on the entire land. Margaret advanced arts and education and instituted religious reforms to correct abuses among the clergy.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Matthew the Apostle & Evangelist
Few Western scholars now consider Matthew the Apostle to be the Evangelist, but he is often still considered to be both in the Eastern Church. He is remembered as being a tax collector, which was synonymous with being a thief, and a social outcast before becoming a disciple. Calling him was Jesus’ way of demonstrating that the reign of God encompasses everyone no matter how unworthy. The icon shows him holding a Bible that includes, of course, his Gospel.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Gertrude, 1302
Gertrude was a 13th-century mystic who practiced “nuptial mysticism,” understanding herself to be the bride of Christ. Her spiritual life was a personal union with the Trinity. This personal piety also derived strength from the liturgy and Scripture, sources that provided images and themes for her piety. She is a reminder to more activist saints that holiness is grounded in God’s presence.
Feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, 1231
Lutheran & Episcopal feast; Franciscan audio essay.Elizabeth chose a life of prayer and asceticism when a life of royal luxury was available. She became a Secular Franciscan and spent the last few years of her life caring for the poor in a hospital she founded. She died at age 24. Her popularity was such that she was canonized just four years later.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary – Painting by Vilmos Aba-Novák (1931)St. Elizabeth Distributing Alms – Painting by Martin Johann Schmidt (c. 1778)
St. Elizabeth – Marble statue by Károly Senyei (1890s)St. Elisabeth - Glazed majolica (c. 1912) by Elza Kövesházi-Kalmár
St. Elisabeth of Hungary - Oil on canvas (1882) by Sándor Liezen-MayerEpiscopal Commemoration of Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, 1200
As part of his remorse for the assassination of Thomas a Becket, King Henry II founded a Carthusian monastery, but could not find an adequate prior. Finally, Hugh de Avalon was recommended and appointed. Hugh quickly became so respected by the King that he could repeatedly stand in opposition to him and succeed in gaining just solutions to the oppressed people. After his election to the bishop’s seat at Lincoln, he risked his life to end anti-semitic riots, personally tended the sick, even washing the bodies of lepers, and refused to raise money for the Crusades.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Gregory the Wonderworker & Bishop of Neo-Caesarea, c. 265
Gregory was highly educated in classical studies and a student of Origen in the Christian faith. When he was appointed Bishop of Caesarea there was only a handful of Christians; by the time he died the result of his life of prayer and miracles was a large and thriving community of believers. The icon portrays Gregory with his mentor, Origen each holding a Bible.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Albert the Great, 1280
A German Dominican scholar, Albert’s influence was felt most in his exploration of Aristotelian philosophy in relation to Christian theology. He was a major influence in Thomas Aquinas’ (January 28) synthesis of Greek philosophy with Christian thinking. He is remembered for his openness to truth in whatever branch of learning it can be found.
Hilda was born of a royal family, the grandniece of Edwin (October 13), baptized at age 13 and became a nun at 33. Under the direction of Aidan (August 31), she established several monasteries, the last being at Whitby. It had a community for men and another for women, with a chapel between. Hilda presided over both. Out of this monastery came five bishops and the poet, Caedmon.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating the Dedication of St. Peter and Paul, 1823
The simple fisherman and the urbane scholar formed the original ‘odd couple’ to shape the character of the early church. For centuries, their martyrdoms in Rome marked by separate churches several miles apart, but connected by a roofed colonnade. St. Peter’s was first built over the Apostle’s grave by Constantine in 319. That basilica was razed in 1506 and rebuilt over the next two centuries. The second one was destroyed by an 1823 fire and rebuilt again in memory of both Apostles.
The Martyrdom of St. Peter in the Initial P - Tempera and ink on parchment (1270-1280) by an unknown Italian Master
Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, 1852
Rose, a French nun, had learned political skills from her father and a love for the poor from her mother. She risked her life during the French Revolution by aiding priests in the underground. At the conclusion of the danger, she left for America to work with Indians. The bishop had no place for her to do that, so he sent her to St. Charles, MO. After founding a school for girls there, she moved west again and founded the first Catholic Indian school, in Florissant, MO. Finally, at age 72, in poor health and retired, she accompanied others who founded a mission among the Indians at Sugar Creek, KS.
Elizabeth, with her husband’s permission, used her dowry for the relief of the poor and sick. During a famine and epidemic, she sold her jewelry, established a hospital where she nursed the sick, and opened the royal graneries for feed the hungry. At her husband’s death, she was exiled to stop her generosity. As a Franciscan tertiary, she spent the rest of her life nursing. She is remembered in the name of most St. Elizabeth’s hospitals.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Agnes of Assisi, 1253
Agnes was the sister of Clare (August 11), and joined her in her monastery just two weeks after Clare and joined it. She is remembered for her life of prayer and contemplation as a Poor Clare.
Greek Orthodox commemoration of Obadiah the Prophet. Click for an Evangelical perspective.
Little is known of the person who was the prophet of the shortest book in the Hebrew Scriptures; even the date of the book is in doubt. This prophecy is against the people who descended from Esau, the most familiar of whom to us is Herod before whom Jesus—an Israelite, a descendant of Jacob—was tried (and the sibling rivalry continues). The principal lesson to be drawn from Obadiah is the premise that no nation, or people, is invulnerable enough to destruction that it can afford to be unjust.
Edmund ruled East Anglia at the time of the Danish incursions. He was offered peace if he would rule as a Danish vassal and forbid the practice of Christianity. He refused, was captured in battle, tortured and killed.
Feast of the Presentation of the Virgin
Greek Orthodox icon; Roman Catholic audio essay.This feast is important in the theology of the Immaculate Conception. Its origin is in the Apocrypha, The Protoevangelium of James, where, in a story similar to that of Samuel, she is dedicated to God because of a pre-pregnancy pledge by Anna. The most universal meaning of the story has to do with the importance given to Mary for her dedication to God and for her role in the birth of Christ and for her faithfulness to him throughout his life and passion. No doubt, she is worthy of the highest regard Christians can give any human being. The icon portrays the scene as a prelude to the announcement of God’s salvation.
Initial G with the Birth of the Virgin - Tempera, gold and ink on parchment (1339-1399) by an unknown Italian MasterLewis was a tutor and lecturer at Oxford, and later Professor of Medieval and Renaissance English Literature at Cambridge. In his writings that explain or defend the Christian faith, he tried to avoid discussing those topics on which Christians disagree and to defend those points on which there is agreement, so his work is valued by Christians of widely varied perspectives. The link here has a brief discussion of many of the books for which he is beloved.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. Cecelia, 3rd c.
There is little historical material regarding Cecelia, although she is very famous and beloved by musicians. Since the Renaissance, she has been portrayed with a viola or a small organ. She is the reminder that Christian living includes a song at least in the heart and that good music is integral to good liturgy. Vatican II insisted that Gregorian chant and polyphony be given priority in worship, but that the song of the people also must not be minimized.
This third bishop of Rome is known only by his letter to the Corinthians which was highly valued by the early church. In the letter, Clement castigates the actions of certain Corinthians in deposing their leaders. He reminds them to the importance of unity and love in the Christian community and that each office has its own function for the good of the whole. From the letter, we gain an important vista on early attitudes toward church government. The link includes two significant quotes from the letter.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Amphilochios, Bishop of Iconium, 395
Amphilochios was active in the Second Ecumenical Council at Constantinople and vigorously upheld the orthodox view of the dual nature of Christ, that he was fully God and fully human. By an object lesson, he convinced the Emperor to agree and so won the day. The icon shows a man with a wise face in liturgical garb and holding a Bible, on which is based the view Amphilochios defended.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, 1927
Mexican-born Pro became a Jesuit and had to flee Mexico for Spain because of political persecution of the Church. He was ordained a priest and returned to Mexico to serve the clandestine Christians there. Trumped-up charges led to his death sentence. He turned his execution into a public confession of faith. Who would have guessed that just half a century later the Pope would be warmly welcomed on a visit to Mexico.
Roman Catholic audio essay commemorating St. Columban, 615
Columban was an Irish missionary who worked on the European continent. He is remembered for the rigor of his discipline, his eloquent preaching, and his commitment to charity and the religious life in the Celtic manner. His writings include a treatise on penance and one against Arianism, along with sermons and poetry.
Christianity was introduced to Vietnam, then three separate kingdoms) by Portuguese Jesuits in 1615 who ministered to Japanese Christians fleeing from persecution at home. During the 19th century, persecutions erupted three times and a total of hundreds of thousands of people were martyred or subjected to severe hardship; 117, including Andrew, have been canonized. Recent Communist rule has not been easy for Vietnamese Christians, but the church has survived.
Watts was a Non-Conformist in an age when toleration was not widely practiced in England, that independence marked his whole life. Precocious as a child, he began to study languages at age four. His boyhood leisure was spent reading instead of playing. This, however, signaled an excessive work ethic that caused his health to become chronically bad for the rest of his 75 years of life. Only reluctantly did he become a minister four years after completing his studies, but his pastoral work was the context for writing the hymns for which we remember him. All modern hymnals contains at least a dozen of his texts.
Episcopal commemoration of James Otis Sargent Huntington, Priest and Monk, 1935
Huntington was an Episcopal priest who is remembered for two things: for beginning the Order of the Holy Cross, and for his work for social justice relating to labor unions and the land-tax movement, the latter an outgrowth of Henry George’s book Progress and Poverty.
Feast of St. Katherine the Great of Alexandria, c. 310
Greek Orthodox icon; Roman Catholic audio essay.Catherine of Alexandria’s popularity can be seen in the great number of paintings in the Western tradition that include her. Tradition says she became a Christian after receiving a vision. At age eighteen, she is said to have debated fifty scholars and converted them along with hundreds of observers. All were martyred. The icon shows a young woman wearing the red robes of martyrdom, with the crown of redemption received at her entry into heaven, and holding the cross around which her life and death was centered.
The Dispute between St. Catherine of Alexandria and the Philosophers - Oil on canvas (1775) by Johann Lucas Kracker
St. Catherine of Alexandria - Oil on canvas (1505-1510) by Fernando Yáñez de la Almedina
The Martrydom of St. Catherine of Alexandria - Oil on canvas (1617) by Vicente CastellóSt. Catherine of Alexandria - Tempera on wood (after 1342) by Pietro Lorenzetti
Saint Catherine of Alexandria - Tempera on wood (after 1342) by Pietro LorenzettiSt. Catherine of Alexandria in Prison – Oil on canvas (c. 1580-1585) by Paolo Veronese
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating the Apodosis of the Presentation of the Theotokos into the Temple
This feast is the Orthodox prelude to the feast of the Presentation of Mary in the Temple. See November 21 for comments. The icon portrays her reigning in heaven.
Greek Orthodox icon commemorating Mercurios the Great Martyr of Caesarea in Cappadocia, 3rd c.
Nothing is known of Mercurios other than his death because he refused to offer sacrifice to idols. The icon portrays him in battle garb.
Nothing is known of St. Nicon. The icon shows a relatively young man in plain clothing. His face is kind and almost smiling, and he holds a cross for his piety.
Italian-born Fasani was a Conventual Fanciscan whose gifts enabled him to teach philosophy, be a master to novices, and be a pastor with equal effectiveness. His life reminds us that holiness often is the result of many small decisions we make along the way. We can choose to become compassionate, generous, merciful and much more.
These two who are officially remembered by the Episcopal Church were Christian rulers who encouraged the building of Christian schools and hospitals, and who inspired the spread of Christianity among Hawaiian people. The King personally translated the Book of Common Prayer and the Hymnal into Hawaiian. They are still highly regarded with great fondness today.
Franciscan audio essay commemorating St. James of the Marche, 1476
After earning doctorates in canon and civil law, James became a Friars Minor and began an austere lifestyle. His popular preaching was responsible for converting many people and spreading devotion among the people. As an antidote to high interest rates, he invented the modern pawnshop as a nonprofit credit institution.
St. James of the Marches - Oil on canvas (1st half, 17th century) by Francisco de Zurbarán