Exceptional evening. "Divine Mysteries".William Blake at California Book Club in music set to visuals
Life is always a series of choices. I had a chance to hear a NYT Pulitzer prize winning journalist talk about corruption he has uncovered on his beat in Shanghai where I lived for three years, so I was tempted and even put down money for the invitation from the N California Asia Society, but my feet took me to the California Book Club, on Sutter, same building as World Affairs Council, for wine and cheese and then this extraordinary opportunity provided by the rare book antiquarian dealer John Windle here in SF. who specializes in Blake and has a Blake catalogue and gallery that is mind expanding.
I was introduced , in person, to Blake's drawings at the Tate, while I was at Oxford; every time for the whole year, that I went into London which was about every 6-8 weeks, courtesy of my good English friend whose family lived in Sloane Square, where we stayed, I went to the Tate to see both the Turners and the William Blakes on rotation.
Charles Daniels was the brilliant tenor interpreter of the score. Oliver Ford Davies delivered the lines spoken with gusto. The composer was Graham Treacher, a life long friend of the book dealer. The program was "Divine Madness: The Visions of William Blake from around the world in sound montage. 1. The Visions of Albion 2. To the Jews: A walk to the hills of North London 3. And did those Feet in Ancient Time.
The visuals of Blake's drawings were done by Robert Golden. Brilliant. This setting of music to Blake's visual and philosophical and poetic representation was spell binding.
I was introduced , in person, to Blake's drawings at the Tate, while I was at Oxford; every time for the whole year, that I went into London which was about every 6-8 weeks, courtesy of my good English friend whose family lived in Sloane Square, where we stayed, I went to the Tate to see both the Turners and the William Blakes on rotation.
Charles Daniels was the brilliant tenor interpreter of the score. Oliver Ford Davies delivered the lines spoken with gusto. The composer was Graham Treacher, a life long friend of the book dealer. The program was "Divine Madness: The Visions of William Blake from around the world in sound montage. 1. The Visions of Albion 2. To the Jews: A walk to the hills of North London 3. And did those Feet in Ancient Time.
The visuals of Blake's drawings were done by Robert Golden. Brilliant. This setting of music to Blake's visual and philosophical and poetic representation was spell binding.
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