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Mark Cella Performing Arts – Felix Mendelssohn: Sacred Works

Mark Cella and Felix Mendelssohn: Sacred Works

First page of Mendelssohn’s Jubilate Deo from the Moldenhauer Archive (1847). Performing Arts Reading Room, Library of Congress.

Sacred music retained a position of major significance throughout Felix Mendelssohn’s career as a composer, beginning with sacred choral songs performed at the Berlin Singakademie in 1821 and concluding with the Three Motets, op. 69, completed in the summer of 1847. Intended for both church and concert hall, his sacred works in particular have spawned divergent threads of discussion including the detection of underlying Jewish influences in the music or text selection or evaluating the composer’s success in integrating a musical composition with autonomous artistic claims into a functional liturgical work. Polemics aside, during his lifetime Felix was undoubtedly a highly acclaimed composer of sacred music and his accomplishments in this genre are extraordinary: two completed oratorios of lasting popularity, over two dozen large sacred works, psalm settings and cantatas, and as many shorter pieces including motets and anthems. Notably, this oeuvre shows a remarkable flexibility as he produced settings of Latin texts from the Roman Catholic liturgy, German settings suitable for use in Lutheran Germany, and English canticle settings written specifically for Anglican Evensong. Transparent in his sacred works is a veneration of J.S. Bach, especially of his chorale cantatas and Passion, as well as a powerful debt to G.F. Handel’s oratorios and anthems.

Mark Cella Performing Arts – Felix Mendelssohn: Sacred Works

There are three sacred music manuscripts in Mendelssohn’s hand which are held in the collections of the Library of Congress’s Music Division:

1. Psalm 95, Kommet herzu Lasst uns mit Danken, op. 46, no. 2, for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra; an incomplete manuscript located in the Gertrude Clarke Whittall Foundation Collection; 2. Elijah: “Introduction” and “Overture,” arranged by the composer for piano duet (found in The Moldenhauer Archives – The Rosaleen Moldenhauer Memorial, American Memory); 3. Three Motets, op. 69, a complete manuscript with many corrections and a passage omitted from the published editions.

The manuscript for the op. 69 Motets is of special interest as these settings comprise Mendelssohn’s last completed choral works. They include two Evensong canticles, Magnificat and Nunc dimittis, and a setting of the 100th Psalm, Jubilate Deo, for the morning service; all were intended for use in Anglican services. The Jubilate Deo for four-part chorus and organ was originally requested by his publisher, Edward Buxton, in January of 1847 and was finished in haste before Felix arrived in London on April 8. The remaining two Evensong canticles are said to be the only works composed in June 1847, a time Felix spent in isolation with his family as they grieved the sudden loss of their sister Fanny that May. By July, Felix dispatched the manuscript along with a letter of instructions to Buxton, manager of the Ewer & Co. publishing firm in London. That letter, dated July 7, 1847 and excerpted below, is part of the Library of Congress’s Gertrude Clarke Whittall Foundation Collection.

“My dear Sir, I send here the piece which I brought already to England for you and was prevented from looking over and finishing during that hurried but very pleasant stay in your Country. It completes the morning Service of which you published the first piece. I also send two new pieces forming the whole of an Evening Service, which are perhaps a little longer and more developed than usual in your Cathedral style; yet I hope they might be used, and I found much pleasure in occupying myself with them. You told me you wanted to have something of my manuscripts, and so I send this as I wrote it; but as there are several passages which might not be quite clear to the Engraver, it is quite necessary that you should send me the proofs of all the three pieces before they are published. This is also necessary because I beg you will submit the wording of them to Mr. Bartholomew…. If he finds passages where the English accent is wrong I beg he will alter them, but before these alterations are published I should like to know them…”

Mark Cella Performing Arts – Felix Mendelssohn: Sacred Works

Ewer’s London edition of the op. 69 Motets appeared in late 1847 and included an organ part and English texts; the first German edition introduced by Breitkopf & Hrtel the following year as Drei Motetten featured both German and English texts, deleted the organ accompaniment altogether, and instigated a host of significant changes in both the overall order and musical content.

Learn more about Sacred Works by Felix Mendelson: Mark Cella. Stop by Mark Cella’s site where you can also find out all about musical history Mark Cella.

Mark Cella 1 August 2010 Movies , , , , , No Comments

Motorcycle Clubs The True Mindset

This Month I want to talk about the Brotherhood mentality verses the gang mentality in the Motorcycle Club world . Now for those of you who may be asking what is the difference? I will set up a scene to help give you an idea! At a small Bar a member of a Motorcycle Club walks in he sees four Bikers playing pool, He can tell they are a bit nervous, They see his patches and they know who he is with. Now how does he act? Does he walk over to the pool table knock the 8 ball in the pocket say games over and tell one of them to buy him a beer or does he walk over introduce himself and let them know when they are done shooting pool they are welcome to stop over at the bar and have a beer and talk with him! One is the gang way of thinking the other is the Brotherhood way of thinking! I really don’t think I need to tell you which is which!

Now one thing everyone needs to remember is all of the original Motorcycle Clubs Started out with the idea of being a tight nit group of Brothers and just about all of these Motorcycle Clubs got along. Don’t forget many of the men who started the first MCs where returning home after serving their country during times of war. They where looking for that feeling of Brotherhood here at home that they had been left behind. These where good men seeking adventure, looking to ride their Motorcycles and have a good time with others like themselves. Today most Motorcycle Clubs have gone back to that way of Club thinking, There are very few Clubs that still have the Gang Mentality that was seen mostly during the 70’s threw 90’s. During the late 90’s things had just gotten too far out of hand and most Motorcycle Clubs began to realize the Gang Mentality was not the way it was meant to be and it was not the way they wanted it to be anymore, This was not what the Clubs where started for ! Many Clubs who had been friends where now fighting with each other. No one wanted to wear club support gear and things where just not fun anymore. These MC’s had all started their Clubs with the same ideals and ways of thinking, How and why had they grown so far apart that they now hated each other!

Well the answer to how is during the 50’s and 60’s the golden age of the Brotherhood years of Motorcycling the Motorcycle Clubs where really huge. During this great time many of the Biker Movies that came out showed Motorcycle Club Members as Bullies and thugs. The Bikers in these movies would pick on those weaker then them, take over small towns and the Clubs in these Movies all fought each other just like the street gangs of the time! So of course over time many new Bikers came to believe that this was the way it was. So when New Clubs started this was how they would act and the Original Motorcycle Clubs now had members who where young kids looking to prove how tough they where by starting fights with each other. The Original Motorcycle Club Members had been threw wars together and they where as hard as nails they had nothing to prove to no one, But these younger members felt that they did and would imitate the Biker Clubs from the Movies they had scene and soon it was Biker against Biker, Brother against Brother, MC against MC. This began the Dark age of the Motorcycle Gang Mentality years.

Now for the question Why did this Happen? Well When something Changes the way of thinking and being of Groups like the Motorcycle Clubs so far from their original ideals, You have to ask was it just an accident these movies did this? Or is there more to it? Was there a plan behind it? Is there someone or some group out there that would benefit from having these large groups of Motorcycle Clubs who are run in a very military fashion and are made up of many ex-Military Members fighting against each other? If these Clubs all got along and worked together the world could be a very Different place! Are there people out there who are afraid of this happening?

Today there are very few Clubs left that have the Gang Mentality most have gone back to the Brotherhood way and the word Gang in the Motorcycle Club world has become almost the equivalent of a racial slur. Now as Motorcycle Clubs are beginning to go back to the way it was at the start and trying to put the past behind them, I am noticing that there are more and more Biker movies and TV shows Coming out. Will these shows show MC’s in a good way? Will they go out of their way to stir up the quarrels of the past? Will they show us as mindless Bullies much as the Movie Wild Hogs did? Most Important will we let them influence how we really are? Or have we learned from our past? If all continues to go well we could soon be making are way into the second Gold age of Motorcycle Club Brotherhood back to where it all began!!!

Are you part of the Problem? or part of the Solution? I am Your Bro, L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com

LJ hosts a internet Motorcycle Show every week LJ loves to help show the facts about the Biker Brotherhood and series like Sons of Anarchy Grab a totally unique version of this article from the Uber Article Directory

LJ James 25 December 2009 Movies , , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments

Are Loud Motorcycle Pipes Really That Big Of A Problem In The World?

I have been reading and hearing allot lately about people who are saying that loud Motorcycle Pipes are a major problem in the world. These groups are trying to get those in Government to pass all sorts of new inspection laws for Motorcycle Pipes.

Seeing as Motorcycles make up such a small percentage of the Traffic on the road I would say this problem is very minimal at best. ( I wonder how many cars with bad mufflers are heard that many think are Motorcycles)

These people complain saying Motorcycle Riders like loud pipes because they are juvenile and want to show off and say Hey look at me and draw attention to themselves.

The reason many Bikers like loud pipes is not to say look at me, its to say look out for Me! Many Car drivers these days are talking on the phone, texting , putting on make up , eating , playing loud music , watching DVDs and just not paying attention to the road in front of them. If your in a car an you get hit ,You may get a dent in your car, We could Die! (Nothing enjoyable in life is completely safe)

These groups against loud pipes know gathering citizens together to complain is very easy , if they ask people while they are sitting around all summer long bored “Have you ever heard a Loud Motorcycle Go By?” they are going to say yes they Have!” These groups are then going to talk about how annoying these Motorcycles are and convince these bored people how much better their lives would be if these Motorcycles where gone! These bored people are going to jump right on board!

But now ask these same people when was the last time you heard a loud Motorcycle go by? They will probably hard pressed to find an answer! Was it Weeks ago? Months ago? was it Two years ago?

There are already laws on the books in every state that say a Motorcycles pipes can only be so loud! We do not need new laws on the books that most officers will do nothing about while others will abuse !

This Country spends too much time whining about things! Lets stop and think about Motorcycles. Motorcycles prevent traffic, They prevent wear and tear on the roads, They are great for saving Fuel. They are also a great relaxer, Those who Ride Motorcycles are a lot less stressed!

If people stopped complaining about Motorcycles and went and rode a Motorcycle they might not be so bored with their lives and they would have something better to do with their time!!!

Those who Ride enjoy Life a lot More, This is like therapy and religion all rolled up into one for us! Please do not bring the stress and problems of your dull boring lives into our world !

If you are that board and are looking for something to do with your life email me and I will help you find something better to do with your time. Maybe we can find something you can do that could actually help make the world a better place!!!

I am Your Bro LJ James AmericanBikerX.com

LJ James hosts a Biker Radio Series that teaches people who do not know about the real Motorcycle world apposed to action drama like Sons of Anarchy Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

L.J. James 25 December 2009 Movies , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments

How Do You Learn What Its Really Means To Be In A Motorcycle Club!

I want to address a question I have gotten a lot recently. (I am sure it has a lot to do with the hit show Sons of Anarchy) It is from people who want to start new Motorcycle Clubs. They want to know if they should go to the predominate MCs in their area to talk about starting a new MC first. Many have said to me they do not understand the reason why they should go talk to them! Some have even gone as far as to say that if they have to go to the predominate MC in their area and ask permission that just proves that MC is a Criminal Gang! Not sure how they came to that conclusion but they are some very strong words sent over the computer.

I want everyone to remember I am writing this info as a guideline to those who are looking to get into the MC world and individual results may vary. This maybe some new fad to you but to true Motorcycle Club Members this world is everything!

For my answer to this Question I am going to put aside any statements of having to ask permission of the MCs in your area first. I am going to instead ask why would you not speak to the MCs in your area and get their Blessing first before starting a new Motorcycle Club. Many say it’s because they are going to start a different type of Motorcycle Club. They may even be calling themselves something different like a Riding Club or a Motorcycle Association. Are your Members going to ride Motorcycles and have patches on their vests? If the answer is yes, Then again why not go speak to those who have come before you and paved the roads you now wish to ride down!

For many I know the reason they don’t want to ask is simple fear! Fear of what they do not know or what they think they do know. If it is fear, then it is because you do not know the real Motorcycle Club world! Now every Motorcycle Club in the world is different. But most Motorcycle Clubs don’t mind helping to get a new MC started and teach them what it really means to be in a Motorcycle Club, I can guarantee you it is something you will not learn on TV no matter how many episodes you may watch!

Now if you have decided that what you really want is to start up a new Motorcycle Club, One thing I want to make sure you know is something every Father should have taught his Son as a Child and that is “Do not lie and Always do what you say you are going to do” One fact I will also give you is the MC world is all about Respect! If you just start up a new MC without talking to the other clubs in your area that will most likely be seen as disrespectful!

Let’s think about some other reasons you would want to talk to the MCs in your area first. You are going to want to make sure your new Patch or MC name is not similar to another Motorcycle Club. Many MCs have worked hard over the years to create a name and image for themselves. They will not like the idea of you either using a name close to theirs or wearing a patch that looks like theirs. The reason being is a simple one, They do not want you being mistaken for them doing anything that would make them look bad. You also could be seen as trying to ride on their coat tails by using the reputation they have worked hard for. You may not understand it now but the MC world is a Brotherhood and if you are fortunate enough to be welcomed into it, You will understand after years of working hard creating a name for your MC. The bottom line is meeting with the MCs in your area and talking with them before starting a new MC is the right thing to do!

Another fear many have is they wrongly believe they will be forced to do things for these other MC’s. The only thing most Clubs may ask of you is to come to a few of their events each year have fun and again to show Respect!!!

Now I have heard complaints from many that there are areas where the MCs have decided they do not want any more new MCs! Well all I can do is guess why that might be! The reason I would think that Motorcycle Clubs would say no more Clubs in an area is that there are already a lot of different MCs in that area and they all get along real well. These MCs would not want anything new coming in and messing up the harmony they have created.

Now like I said before the reason most say they want to start a new MC is because they want to start something different then what is in that area. Well often that is not the truth. The real reason People usually want to start a new MC is because they do not want to have to Prospect! If the only reason you want to start a new MC is because you are not willing to prospect, My best advice to you is to stay an independent rider because you will not last long in the Motorcycle Club world anyway!

I am Your Bro LJ James AmericanBikerX.com

LJ does a Radio Bike Show every Wednesday . The show can be listened live or Replay . LJ works to show the facts between real MCs and programs like sons of anarchy Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

L.J. James 10 December 2009 Movies , , , , , , No Comments