What I am listening to now
Once in a while, one discovers an artist so unique and original that others pale in comparison. I am listening to Loreena McKennitt and her CD "the mask and mirror." Loreena McKennitt is not new on the music scene having recorded this album in 1994. She has recorded many other Cd's, the music genre is linked to celtic, and world music. In reality, her music defies classification. On this particular CD, she draws her inspiration from her world travels from Ireland to Marrakesh and from the writings of Yeats and Shakespeare. In particular, one song is a masterpiece. The song is based on her translation of a poem by the 16th century Spanish mystic and visionary St. John of the Cross. McKennitt composes a haunting sound poem that exquisitely marries the lyrics and melody of "The Dark Night of the Soul."
On Easter morning, while I was in church, our minister mentioned "the dark night of the soul" that we all at one time or another go through. I immediately knew what he was talking about. While not perhaps meant in the same context of Loreena McKennitt's music and lyrics, whenever I hear this music I think of God and his great mysteries. To me, that is the measure of truly great art - the ability to move us beyond the superficial and to create in us a new understanding of our own reality.
Life circumstances lately have made me a little philosophical and Loreena McKennitt's music fits my current mood.
Love, Grandma Howard
Comments