While Christians celebrate their myth of a savior risen from the dead, Satanists note that aspects of today’s traditions stem from ancient seasonal celebrations which often include symbolism derived from the rising of dormant vegetation, and thus “rebirth” and “resurrection.” Maga Nadramia has strategically placed tulips to enhance our garden here at The Black House. A growing number of Satanists enjoy rebranding this day, exchanging greetings of “Happy Beaster!” for they use this occasion as a reminder of the love, respect, and awe we have for non-human animals, with whom we are so evidently kin. It is always delightful to […]
symphony
5 posts
In honor of International Women’s Day, I thought I might point out a powerful symphony written by the Croatian composer, Dora Pejačević (1885-1923). The Symphony in F-sharp minor for large orchestra, Op. 41 (1916 – 1917, rev. 1920; dedicated to her mother baroness Lilla Vay de Vaya), is a sweeping composition and the culmination of her orchestral writing. Pejačević has a substantial body of work, including art songs, chamber pieces, solo piano compositions, and four orchestral works, written in a lush, late romantic style. She was quite a talent, and, because of her social standing, received proper training so that her […]
Proclaimed an American national holiday two years ago, the Church of Satan celebrates independence, sovereignty, and emancipation from imposed servitude on this Juneteenth, 2023. Our unique banner design for this holiday, a variation rendered by myself, includes 19 vertices between the two stars, to mark the date, while the central star is inverted to symbolize our carnal philosophy, which has always championed liberty and individualism. Skilled and prolific composer William Grant Still was born on May 11th, 1895, almost 30 years following the event celebrated today, June 19, 1865. On that date, Major General Gordon Granger, a Civil War Union […]
Many Satanists mark today’s seasonal pivot point, feeling simpatico with our splendiferous homeworld’s continuing seasonal cycles. In the Northern Hemisphere, Spring arrives, succeeding Winter’s torpor with a renewed, verdant surging. In the Southern Hemisphere, Autumn soothes after the scorching Summer months. Here in the haunted Hudson Valley, Winter has seemingly, at last, let go. The bulbs have awakened, pushing their way into the stimulating sunlight, delighting us with their vigor. Always such a joy when our garden revivifies! John Knowles Paine (1839-1906) was one of the first American composers to be recognized for his large-scale orchestral compositions. Born in Maine, […]
In Memoriam Christopher Rouse (1949-2019) I consider Dr. Christopher Rouse to be one of the great symphonists of our time, and I’ve been following his exquisitely dark and expressive compositions since I discovered his earlier orchestral works GORGON and The Infernal Machine. I recall him commenting in program notes that so much contemporary music had lost the ability to work in a true “allegro” tempo, so he deftly remedied that in several of his pieces. He’s also a master of “adagio” tempi—and everything in between. It was always exciting for me when his new works were performed and released—I knew […]