A representation of love: Stendhal‘s book titled Love
?What do you think about Alberich.
The following scenes in Chapter 1
Alberich’s repentance from sin. [Could Wagner be a Christian!?]
Wagner’s libretto — Stabreim
Groves Music Dictionary
Stabreim is a form of poetic verse
Iambic: Stress every second syllable
Shakespeare
Hamlet — “To be, or not to be: that is the question:”
Macbeth — “Double, double toil and trouble
Iambic Pentameter — 5 stress’ with a sentence of 10 syllables
e.g. Sonnet 18
Shakespeare & Goethe known to Wagner
Henry Cuyler Bunner, American novelist and journalist, on Goethe:
Shake, Mulleary and Go-ethe, poem
My poetry books:
Soaring Higher
The Tara Brooch
Wagner’s Ring*
Blazon
*Wagner’s Ring started. Not completed at the time due to Shakespearean Tudor anachronisms. However, someone said I “can still do it.” Decided on couplet paraphrase, instead — AA, BB, CC etc. Next, Simon Armitage, Poet Laureate, publishes his couplet version of the Owl and the Nightingale. Took my copy to the stage production at the Southbank Centre.
Read my incomplete paraphrase of Wagner’s Ring, Chapter 1: Rhinegold, Ii
Open mic:
Nick
Angela
Closing small talk.
Played during the opening of my reading ⬇️. Ten-stringed lyre.
"From left to right by nature’s design Flows continuously the ready river Rhine Lighter turquoise evenly spread Becoming darker towards the bed Near the floor the water dissipates Leaving an increasingly breathable state This vaporous man-sized space Moves continuously and at a pace Across the floor of the riverbed Where no man can naturally tread Are rough rocks and undercurrent tides And vertical caverns unimaginably wild."
As part of the Penge Festival 2025, I will be putting the case for Wagner’s Ring, debunking the myths about the composer and delivering my paraphrase of the libretto – not the entire 15 hours! we have 1.5 hours. The Rhinegold, Ii.
GOD CREATES – “Wonderfully and Fearfully” | Opus 9 No. 1
“I think I’ve just uncreated music!,” I once exclaimed. This is the first piece of ten, beginning with the beginning. Bibl. Genesis :1, Psalm 139:14.
2.
Gloria — “He Is the Image” | Opus 9 No. 2
This piece contrasts staccato and legato passages. Bibl. Luke 2:14, Colossians 1.
3.
The Crucifixion — “The Veil Is Gone!” | Opus 9 No. 3
The Crucifixion — “The Veil Is Gone!” | Opus 9 No. 3
At The Crucifixion, the holy of holies separating curtain was torn in two. Up until that time, Jewish priests faced possible death when making atonement in the temple. I have captured their terror in music – and the horror of Calvary Hill. The next piece. Bibl. Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:33, John 19:18, Leviticus 18:2.
4.
The Star in the East — “Blink to the Moon!” | Opus 9 No. 4
This title relates to Eastertide – including the Ascension. Bibl. Matthew 28:6, Mark 16:6, Luke 24:6, John 20:17, Acts 1:9.
5.
King Solomon and the Shulammite — “Princess of Jerusalem” | Opus 9 No. 5
This piece is about the heights of passionate, intimate love between husband and wife. Bibl. Song of Songs 3:9, 6:13.
6.
God My Peace — “Before My Eyes Open in the Morning” | Opus 9 No. 6
This, ‘God is my Peace’, piece is exclusively relates to the Christian supernatural experience. Bibl. John 14:27.
7.
Mr Spock’s Capriccio – “Toccata” | Opus 9 No. 7
‘Mr Spock’s Capriccio’ receives the toccata honours – with the concluding bars supplying another level of humour in the form of a lullaby. Bibl. Ecclesiastes 2:2, Proverbs26:3.
8.
Profundity’s Fugue – “Questions; Questions” | Opus 9 No. 8
A fugue where the answers to the contrapuntal subject are questions. Bibl. Mathew 21:23-42.
9.
The Return of Christ – “Eschatological” | Opus 9 No. 9
This, ‘The Return of Christ’, piece has all the thrills, spills and trills for the end of time. And, furthermore, attend the shofar direction. Bibl. 1 Corinthians 15:52, Revelation 19:16.
10.
The Destruction of Death + ‘Heaven’s Anthem’ | Opus 9 No. 10
Most people, understandably, fear death. Well, in this piece, Jesus Christ takes care of that enemy – forever. The music starts with blasts from the beautiful Saviour’s ‘weapon’. Mysterious music then comes forth. As we continue, there is an interesting two-line musical lexicon for a time. Your attention would be good to enquire the different treatments. We end the quirky dirge by becoming livelier to reach the exultant chorus I have called: ‘Heaven’s Anthem’. Bibl. 2 Timothy 1:9, Revelation 21:1.
Piano — The Ne Plus Ultras, Opus 9 Nos. 1-10 | Medley
Piano — The Ne Plus Ultras, Opus 9 Nos. 1-10 | Book
Mark: the Piano – The Ne Plus Ultras, Opus 9 Nos. 1-10 is an important addition to the piano repertoire.
The Book Cover
The look and feel of the book in your hands stimulates the senses. A love at first encounter? There must be no option but ‘satisfaction guaranteed’ when the music is played.
The music is equally avant-garde.
e-Book
The Lecturers
The 48 and the 32 – and the opus 87 in response to the 48. The opus 10 and the opus 25 – and the lauded readings of the studies. The 4 Ballades and the 4 Scherzi – only an intellectual would receive the wit therein. Padre Antonio Soler – and his influence by the Kirkpatrick 555. The contemporary Christian praise and worship music genre – especially Stoneleigh International Bible Week conferences.
Footnote: ne plu ultra* noun the perfect or most extreme example of its kind; the ultimate. Similar the last word the ultimate example the best example the perfect example the ultimate the height the acme the zenith the culmination the epitome the quintessence perfection the nonesuch le dernier cri ↩︎
For data protection reasons, names of individuals and other details have been changed.
A true story.
“I am sitting at a table on a bright, sunny morning. At about 10:30 my mobile phone rings. When I pick up the phone and answer, that person on the other end says, ‘Hi, it’s Sally here! Do you remember that several years ago you applied to be on First Dates, the TV show? Well… it’s taken a long time but are you still interested in appearing?’ ‘Yes,’ I say. ‘Terrence at church posted on Facebook the application link. He said he knew the Producer of the programme and they were looking for Christians.’
“Sally then proceeded to ask me about my dating experience as a Christian, what type of person I would consider going on a date with and why, and what sought person I would not go on a date with. She also asked about my job and other interests. Then she said ‘I will send you a link to a Zoom call. It will be in two days. We will record the video for analysis and discussion with the producer. Oh, and don’t forget the dance music!’
“The Zoom call took the same format as the phone call. The only two differences was that I played Beethoven’s ‘Pathetique Sonata’ and danced to a praise and worship song by Graham Kendrick, called ‘The Feast is Ready to Begin!’
“Before the end of the call she confirmed that the programme will be filmed in Bristol over a weekend in May. And, yes, I already had an idea what I was going to ware to the restaurant.
“Several emails and phone calls from her colleagues followed.
“Then an email arrived with the travel arrangements to the studio where I would be interviewed by the Producer, MacNulty.
“For the event I needed a new bowtie and pocket square. And so, I picked one up the day before the shoot when I happened to be in Bromley. On the train back, Stephen from the production company phones with the final arrangements and checks before my visit to London. ‘Can you write a poem for your date and read it out to the camera tomorrow,’ he says cheerfully before we finish the timely call.
“I was brimming over with delight after that call; and even during our conversation.
“As it had been raining that day the streets were wet. I practically had not eaten all day but was full of energy and excitement about the next day. Realising this, I had to tell myself to not show my beaming radiance to anybody. After I verbalised this, I said, ‘I better get something to drink before going home.’
“So, I popped into the local Polish food delicatessen and happened to turn towards the shelves of bottled water. As I looked up at them, I heard the radio presenter mention water at the exact same time. Shouldn’t patriotic Polish shops play Polish radio stations for their Polish patriots?
“As I walked down the road to my home, I saw a rainbow in the sky that ended right there, at my home! It was then that I decided to write, and title, the poem for the next day: Rainbow Date. And that is exactly what I did with my Parker fountain pen.”
That reminds me: Must buy blue ink next time.
“Before retiring that evening, I said: ‘Tomorrow, I will be dating every single Christian woman on Planet Earth!’ Good English only permits me to use one exclamation mark here – but I could not stop laughing… and for a considerable length of time. I was like a drunk man, full and high.
“The next day, the day of the shoot, I decided not to don the brand-new wine-coloured bowtie and square, etc. I will leave that for the restaurant. Anyway, Stephen did say wear something bright. He must have seen the Zoom call video, my original application video from a few years earlier. Or maybe not? Who knows? Wearing my red and gold jacket and white silk scarf, I left for the train station with my half-eaten breakfast in my bag. I was late. Didn’t even have time to pass by a shop I visited the day before and repay them the few pennies I owed.
“Got to the station ticket machine to enter the code for the prepaid ticket they supplied, but before I had time the train arrived and so I used my credit card, instead.
“I was late!
“After I got onto the train and sat down, and reached Forest Hill, I realised that I have never had to catch a train to work in London in my entire life – man and boy – and made my way to the studio after leaving the train and station.
“When I arrived at the studio, I was escorted to the waiting area and dressing room. A member of the production crew made good conversation.
“Once in the studio, the Producer proceeded with questions. The most difficult part of the whole day was trying to, not only condense answers when asked to do so, but also retaining and replicating the same natural energy and enthusiasm when repeating answers with an abridged lexicon… How hypocrites do it I just don’t know.
“The last part of filming was for me to walk from off stage and into the middle of the set with my long-stemmed red rose, white gloves in one hand. and with the other, blow a kiss straight into the camera… peruse painted love heart hanging large as a canvas backdrop. Or was it cotton…?
“After the two hours in the studio, we all relaxed. And I did not even have the opportunity to dance to my prepared praise and worship song, or show the book of classical piano music that I composed.
The Ocean Kiss
…To continue on from the Greeting Kiss and the Parting Kiss, here is what I intended to post as part of the set of three!
As we celebrate Easter, let us raise our voices together. This song must be sung in the best English!
Christ Jesus the Saviour is, was and will always be famous. His splendid, eternal brightness overwhelms. Stir within you all that is fantastic. It was a Good Friday. Even an important protein in every human is in the shape of a cross. I encourage you to worship God and talk to your neighbour. The Bible says that Christ Jesus was slain before God created. Could that be before Genesis 1:1?
Jesus Christ’s rising from the dead means that there is no time to waste in spreading the full Gospel. His rising, as mentioned in my song, also looks forward to the Day of Ascension when men witnessed the God/man filling the Universe.
So… whenever you see the Sun just think of the famous Star in the East, ware your Polo Whites, greet with a holy kiss and share an English champaign breakfast — quail eggs essential! Champaign with a large ‘C’ optional.
Words to the song:
Blink, blink Blink to the Moon Jesus the Saviour Is famous for ever
Blink, blink Blink to the Moon Jesus the Saviour Is famous for ever For ever and ever For every believer
Blink! Blink! Blink!
Blink, blink Blink to the Moon Resplendent and bright The dazzling light
Blink, blink Blink to the Moon Resplendent and bright The dazzling light For ever and ever For every believer
Blink! Blink! Blink!
Blink, blink Blink to the Moon Encourage your cheer His rising is here
Blink, blink Blink to the Moon Encourage your cheer His rising is here For ever and ever For every believer
Jesus the Saviour Is famous for ever For ever and ever For every believer Resplendent and bright The dazzling light For ever and ever For every believer Encourage your cheer His rising is here For ever and ever For every believer!
Imagine… 2,000 years ago Jesus Christ, the God/man, falsely arrested for doing Almighty God’s work. Whipped delirious in a kangaroo court. Abandoned, even denied, by those closest to Him. Forced to carry — only just, but not at all — his own execution equipment. At Calvary Hill He foresees the furious dancing that will split time in two.
My music opens with a dissonant chord sequence — but, it is a dance. A dance with a difference. This cosmic King of the dance floor is dancing — furiously!
His adversary at the scene does a diabolical two-step up the cross, lusting after the transfigured crown of thorns. Authority, it’s all about authority. He wants Jesus Christ to worship him. But, the God/man pummels the beast with His heel.
Dancing, dancing — the King is dancing. Listen to Jesus Christ dancing on the cross. My King — your King — is dancing. He dances furiously and beckons: “Dance with me!”
On the cross the King briefly imagines Sheol before continuing with the pace of the dance. Jesus Christ, the God/man; the darling of every sky; every man’s hopes and dreams; the Son of existence must be forsaken on that Good Friday.
————
A song… Hebrew and Christian. A memory of Egypt… Marching in the wilderness. A memory of the Tabernacle in the wilderness… And… that separating veil:
🎵 “Taa taa taa taa... Taa, ta ta - ta ta Taa taa taa…” 🎵
————
On the Saturday, the day after, there was fantastic dancing. Unimaginable. Like never before. Similar to a time before time became time. However, nobody will ever know. All that lived knew only silence on that middle day.
The Crucifixion — “The Veil is Gone!”
——//——
The Crucifixion — “The Veil is Gone!”
In exploring arrangements I embellished, extended and/or made changes to the music. I also made effective use of the additional staves afforded. Due to this fact, the title of pieces were paraphrased from opus to opus.
Choral — SATB + Piano
Michael Bobb
The Separating Veil is Torn!, Opus 10 No. 3 — Excerpt
The title of this video production is ALISON — Daughter of Alice. The visual aesthetic is ‘high key’: still photographs using black and white reversal film and music by a contemporary composer.
This high key type of photography is crucial to attain the light and bright tones with little or no shadow akin to Hollywood portrayals of heaven. High key photography can be achieved inside the camera at the time of exposing the frame by increasing the exposure value. If you are using film, then darkroom techniques can be used during developing the film and/or printing onto photographic paper. There are also computer software programs which allow you to lighten either the grey/shadowy areas of an image or the whole image. It was this type of post processing that I used with the black and white reversal film from my SLR camera.
Composing the photographs
From black and white to colour, metaphorically speaking.
The scene is Anerley and Penge, South East London, 2019. The time was a bright summertime before the shops opened. The theme: reflections. Beckenham and Croydon were surveyed but couldn’t match the architecture, infrastructure details, street design, economic demographics and lighting. People were avoided at all costs. The law states that you have to gain consent from people before taking their photograph. Sometimes, my Photomedia degree comes in handy! The idea for the project popped into my mind one sunny day as I was just walking down the high street and happened to notice a reflection in a shop window. Before I know it, the moment had come and gone.
The Lewis Carroll Imperative!
“Curiouser and curiouser!” Alison once exclaimed in her Adventures in Wonderland. On reflection, could she have cried the same thing when Looking Through the Looking-glass? The photographs in this arthouse video are what one might see when looking into a shop window on a sunny day: the contents inside and a reflection of what is outside. Imagery Lewis Carroll would appreciate, even entertain and develop, if he was still around today? Please let me know your thoughts on this idea in the comments sections below. Thank you!
Imagine for a moment this very same Alice grew up, married her sweetheart and wanted a baby boy. But, however, she had a daughter instead. What name do you think she would christen the infant? Alison? And suppose this child grew up and happened to walk down a busy village lane just like Penge?
The Music
Im Paradisum by Karl Jenkins
My instrumentation of the music:
Acoustic piano
Electronic keyboard:
Piano
Organ
Recorder
Flute
French horn
Harp
Bell
Cimbles
Chior
The flute sound in this arthouse video I made into a ringtone for my mobile phone. The reason I chose the tune was because it was so light and bright and distinctive.
GOD CREATES was written with the sky in mind and appears in my first book. It was one of the poems that marked the start of an increase in my poetry interests following water damage to my Nikon DSLR camera. In the poem, the second person of the Trinity makes an entry, is crucified, rises from the dead, rises to the skies and returns from filling the universe to be the bridegroom at His wedding feast.
This is the only poem I have written where the title is in capital letters. Can one imagine writing anything of this nature and not use capital letters? For me the answer is: “No”. Even music I have composed on this subject has received the same treatment: a vocal chamber piece, a solo piano piece, a choral piece and an organ piece. These musical pieces, by and large, I estimate are falling within the category of virtuosity.
My GOD CREATES poem also retains, on reflection, elements of virtuosity:
10 verses
4 lines per verse
40 lines in total
3 syllables per line
12 syllables per verse
120 syllables in total
2 words per line — except line 39
8 words per verse — except last verse
80 words minus 1 in total
I am sure these numbers mean something to somebody, somewhere!
Would there be poetry if there was not music? Or, should that be: Would there be music if there was not poetry? I hope your happy conclusion has considered at least one of my poems. Perhaps this one?
The music in the video
G. F. Handel (1685 – 1759), Suite Nr. 4, Sarabande. The stately pomp and majesty of this Spanish dance fitted well with the subject matter of the poem: God and God in the act of creating. The rhythmic structure of the music agrees with the rhythmic structure of the poem.
Handel wrote the music for harpsichord, originally. On this recording I am playing it on my once John Broadwood & Sons piano.
Splashes of Ink 