Christ is risen!

I don't usually post rock videos on this blog ...

... but when I do, they're BABYMETAL videos.



New album out today. Put your kitsune up!

Happy Easter!

R.I.P. Peter Maxwell Davies

Chant performances in Orkney

The Orkney Schola will sing parts of the reconstructed office of St Magnus at the following events:

On Thursday 14 April 2016, at 6 p.m. in St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall. A public lecture by Dr Barbara Crawford (University of St Andrews) on Seals in Medieval Orkney: communal and personal identity, as part of the Third International St Magnus Conference.

On Friday 15 April (the eve of St Magnus' Day), at 7.30 p.m. in the St Magnus Centre, Palace Road, Kirkwall. The launch of Alison Gray's new book No Separation: the Catholicism of George Mackay Brown (Gracewing).

This is the first time any of this music will have been performed in public since 1560, so please come! Both events are open to all.

Mapping the sound of Byzantine churches

More details here.

For readers in Orkney: upcoming evening class

I am again offering my evening class on St Magnus of Orkney. Today is the official deadline for enrolment, but in fact bookings will still be accepted for a few days yet. The course was very successful last year, and it will be a NEW and IMPROVED version this term!

The course now starts on Tuesday 9th February, a change from the date previously advertised, and runs for eight weeks. To book, phone Customer Services at the Council on (01856) 873535, or print off & send in the form that can be downloaded here: http://www.orkney.gov.uk/Service-Directory/E/Evening-Classes.htm

Stained glass window by Oscar Paterson, St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall

Photographer unknown; if this is your work, please let me know!

From the Community Learning Directory:

B142: St Magnus of Orkney

As we approach the 900th anniversary of his martyrdom in 1117, this course looks at the background, life, death and legacy of St Magnus of Orkney. Drawing on historical sources, archaeology, art, music and literature, we will explore how the twelfth-century saint has continued to intrigue and inspire both here in the Northern Isles and further afield.

 Tutor: Dr Ben Whitworth.

 Tuesdays from 2 February (8 meetings).

 19:00 - 21:00.

 Course fee: £58.00.

Maximum class size: 20 students.

(Venue will be KGS.)

God be with you till we meet again

As this is my recreational blog, it has to give way to any other pressures on my time, of which there will be many in 2016; so this may be my last post for some considerable time. As most visitors seem to enjoy the music videos I share here, I have flagged them with a label: click "Music videos" on the right-hand sidebar if you want to view only that sort of post. I leave you with a few gems I have recently come across. Thanks for listening!