Friday, February 28, 2014
New Royal Poster
Earlier this month a Canadian gentleman named Matt Baker contacted me about his new Kings & Queens of England Poster and kindly offered to send me a free copy in exchange for a post about it at this blog. The poster arrived today; I am happy to oblige and report that it would be a lovely addition to any royalist's wall. Extensive genealogical diagrams show not only the British and English monarchs back to Alfred the Great but also their relationships to other European royal families including the Habsburgs, Bourbons, and Romanovs, with pictures of many of the individuals. I particularly admired this idea of including Continental royalty, which the older poster of English/British monarchs I have does not. The portion displaying current royalty is as up-to-date as it could be at present, including Prince George and the new Dutch and Belgian monarchs. My only criticism would be a few minor errors such as calling Prince Philip's mother "Princess Alice Mountbatten" (she was born Princess Alice of Battenberg and married Prince Andrew of Greece long before her father's name was changed to Mountbatten, so was never known by that name) and showing Albert I of Belgium as the son (rather than nephew) of Leopold II. Nevertheless I would encourage anyone interested in royal history attractively presented to purchase this beautiful poster. I look forward to putting it up at home myself.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
"Progress" and the World
The world is a mess. Everyone deplores it. But not enough people yet
draw the obvious conclusion: Modern Political "Progress" Is Not Working!
Russia (and most of what is now the Ukraine) was better off under the
Romanovs; central Europe was better off under the Habsburgs; France and
southern Italy were better off under the Bourbons; Iran was better off
under the Pahlavis; Egypt was better off under the Muhammad Ali dynasty;
Spanish-speaking Latin America was better off under the Spanish Crown
and Brazil under its own Braganza monarchy; Afghanistan was better off
under King Zahir Shah; China was better off under the emperors, and all
of those countries and many others could have grown to be better off
still by today had they remained under the guidance of their legitimate
rulers. The worldwide trend (greatly accelerated since 1910) of
replacing Kings with other types of regimes has been a disaster for
humanity. If one has taken a wrong turn in the forest, the quickest
route to genuine progress is to turn back.
Global Monarchist Counterrevolution Now! It's only impossible if people say it's impossible.
Global Monarchist Counterrevolution Now! It's only impossible if people say it's impossible.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Australian Monarchists: The New Generation
I can't remember the last time a news article made me as happy as this one did. I could try to quote my favourite parts, but I'd end up practically reproducing the whole thing, though I will note that I'd have to plead guilty to being one of those monarchists who "collect memorabilia and have big portraits all over their walls." Well done to the young Australian royalists interviewed for the article, who vindicate much of what I've been saying about Monarchy and its appeal to the young since 1999, when the referendum in which they were too young to vote sustained the Australian constitution so that it might thrive in the current century. God Save the Queen of Australia!
Monday, February 10, 2014
Some thoughts on Religion
Sorry for the (mostly) off-topic post but I wanted to say this somewhere and it's too long and potentially controversial (I've had enough Facebook arguments recently) for Facebook. And I know many readers of this blog are either Catholic or Anglican/Episcopal and am curious as to whether they'll agree with my speculations.
Conservative Catholics, perhaps especially in the United States, sometimes wonder why liberal Catholics who want women priests and acceptance of same-sex relationships, contraception, and remarriage after divorce don't "just" become Episcopalians, since The Episcopal Church is a liturgical, sacramental church with vestments, bishops, and cathedrals that already has these things. Of course, a few have, but most don't, and probably won't. There are many possible reasons for this, but here's one. Admittedly what follows is based on anecdotal impressions rather than hard evidence, but I think that despite superficial agreement on sex & gender issues, when it comes to worship liberal Catholics and liberal Episcopalians do not actually want the same things.
I think it's fair to say that many (perhaps even most) liberal Episcopalians, while firmly committed to both women's ordination (which despite a few reactionary holdouts like me is no longer even considered controversial) and gay rights, have no problem with, or even enthusiastically embrace, most or all of the following: priests celebrating "Ad Orientem" facing the altar, Kneeling for Communion at a rail, Incense, Latin, Gregorian Chant, "Elizabethan" English, Music ministries that emphasize sacred works by prestigious (mostly long-deceased) European composers sung by a professional or semi-professional Choir, the Pipe Organ as the church's principal (or even only) musical instrument, preference for traditional Architecture and care for historic buildings, a generally Dignified and Reverent "Sunday Best" approach to worship that avoids emotional exuberance, and (here we get back on topic) a certain Downton-Abbey-watching nostalgic fondness for England and the British Monarchy. In contrast, Progressive Catholics are likely to object to some or all of those things. Additionally, even if they've discarded the conservative moral views of their Irish ancestors, many American Catholics are likely to retain a chip on the shoulder regarding anything perceived as "elitist," "English," or "WASPy," while simultaneously romanticizing the idea of being in communion with a billion mostly non-white and non-wealthy people around the world. I should say that the "traditionalist" aspects of Episcopalianism I've identified--all of them dear to my heart--are far from unchallenged or universal within The Episcopal Church, but they do survive, perhaps even more in perception than in reality.
Therefore, most Call To Action, National Catholic Reporter, Hans-Küng-admiring types would not be comfortable in The Episcopal Church, and that--and not just a revolutionary desire to change the Church they were brought up in, though that surely exists as well--is why they don't join it. Of course, all this also works in reverse: the surviving traditional attributes of Episcopalianism I mentioned have also probably been a major factor in discouraging conservative Episcopalians not thrilled with certain contemporary developments from leaving to join the Roman Catholic Church.
Conservative Catholics, perhaps especially in the United States, sometimes wonder why liberal Catholics who want women priests and acceptance of same-sex relationships, contraception, and remarriage after divorce don't "just" become Episcopalians, since The Episcopal Church is a liturgical, sacramental church with vestments, bishops, and cathedrals that already has these things. Of course, a few have, but most don't, and probably won't. There are many possible reasons for this, but here's one. Admittedly what follows is based on anecdotal impressions rather than hard evidence, but I think that despite superficial agreement on sex & gender issues, when it comes to worship liberal Catholics and liberal Episcopalians do not actually want the same things.
I think it's fair to say that many (perhaps even most) liberal Episcopalians, while firmly committed to both women's ordination (which despite a few reactionary holdouts like me is no longer even considered controversial) and gay rights, have no problem with, or even enthusiastically embrace, most or all of the following: priests celebrating "Ad Orientem" facing the altar, Kneeling for Communion at a rail, Incense, Latin, Gregorian Chant, "Elizabethan" English, Music ministries that emphasize sacred works by prestigious (mostly long-deceased) European composers sung by a professional or semi-professional Choir, the Pipe Organ as the church's principal (or even only) musical instrument, preference for traditional Architecture and care for historic buildings, a generally Dignified and Reverent "Sunday Best" approach to worship that avoids emotional exuberance, and (here we get back on topic) a certain Downton-Abbey-watching nostalgic fondness for England and the British Monarchy. In contrast, Progressive Catholics are likely to object to some or all of those things. Additionally, even if they've discarded the conservative moral views of their Irish ancestors, many American Catholics are likely to retain a chip on the shoulder regarding anything perceived as "elitist," "English," or "WASPy," while simultaneously romanticizing the idea of being in communion with a billion mostly non-white and non-wealthy people around the world. I should say that the "traditionalist" aspects of Episcopalianism I've identified--all of them dear to my heart--are far from unchallenged or universal within The Episcopal Church, but they do survive, perhaps even more in perception than in reality.
Therefore, most Call To Action, National Catholic Reporter, Hans-Küng-admiring types would not be comfortable in The Episcopal Church, and that--and not just a revolutionary desire to change the Church they were brought up in, though that surely exists as well--is why they don't join it. Of course, all this also works in reverse: the surviving traditional attributes of Episcopalianism I mentioned have also probably been a major factor in discouraging conservative Episcopalians not thrilled with certain contemporary developments from leaving to join the Roman Catholic Church.
Friday, February 7, 2014
Priorities
I am aware that some right-wingers who broadly agree in principle with my preference for Monarchy may find my focus on it, to the exclusion of most other political issues, excessive. One response to that is that the pendulum since 1910 has swung so far towards the dominance of republicanism, and Monarchy, even more than most other aspects of traditional civilization, has been so relentlessly attacked (whether destroyed or weakened) by the Left and--perhaps more importantly--ignored or abandoned by the Right, that it is necessary for at least some of us to be willing to risk being seen as excessively preoccupied with monarchism in order to restore any sort of balance. I would say the same with regard to the very different but not entirely unrelated issue of music in Christian worship since the 1960s.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
SKCM 2014
Today was a great day for royalists and Anglicans in North Texas. For the first time ever, the American Region of the Society of King Charles the Martyr held its annual mass (commemorating the 30 January martyrdom of King Charles) in the Lone Star State, at St Vincent's Cathedral in Bedford. I had been looking forward to this event for well over a year, ever since learning it would be in my area. (Most US SKCM masses have been too far for me to attend, though I went in 2002 in New York when living there and in 2006 in Charleston when living in Charlotte, as well as to the Restoration celebration in May 2010 in Omaha.) I was not disappointed, though I wish more people had attended; my hopes of attracting out-of-state monarchist friends for a large gathering did not materialize. But for those who were there it was a wonderful morning.
The SKCM's Mark Wuonola and I are both fans of Viennese orchestral masses in their intended liturgical context, which whenever possible has been the custom at SKCM masses, and St Vincent's and its music director Barbara Burton proved happy to oblige with Mozart's Spatzen Messe ("Sparrow Mass"), K. 220. As an SKCM member I donated my services as cellist and recruited two of my Dallas Symphony colleagues to play violin. I arrived early for rehearsal and was pleased to see both the Society's large portrait of King Charles and the programs with my name on the back, the first time I had been associated as a cellist with any religious service honouring a King.
Before the other musicians had arrived, Dr Burton and I went through the Bach Air which I would play at the Offertory. Then with the full choir, soloists, and strings we rehearsed the Mozart mass. Everyone was well prepared and I had no doubt the music for the liturgy would go smoothly. I was excited for what was only my second time performing an orchestral mass liturgically. I greeted my friends and fellow royalists from Sherman, Fr. Reid Wightman and Michael Yost (son of today's preacher), until it was time to return to the organ loft where my symphony colleague Andrew Schast (whose wife had been music director at St Vincent's) and Dr. Burton beautifully performed Mozart's Adagio in E, K. 261 for the Prelude.
The mass began with the first of the Society hymns (familiar tunes with words specific to S. Charles) I had first heard in 2002 in New York: "Royal Charles, who chose to die Rather than the Faith deny." A grand procession including incense and three mitred bishops (William C. Wantland, SKCM Episcopal Patron Keith Ackerman, and celebrant Jack Iker, Bishop of Fort Worth, who had been the preacher in 2006 in Charleston) made its way up the aisle as we triumphantly sang. After the traditional Collect for Purity and the Summary of the Law we began the Kyrie of the Mozart, followed immediately by the Gloria. For an Anglican Monarchist Cellist,
After the Creed, the Prayers, and the Greetings the Offertory began as Dr. Burton and I played Bach's Air from the Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D BWV 1068. A special piece for me in that I also performed it at both of my grandmothers' funerals, it works for any occasion. This was followed by another Society hymn, happily in the same key, whose last two verses I think are worth quoting in their entirety.
A century before Great Charles was called to die,
A sinful king laid waste the Church -- Angered our God on high.
The fire of Heaven's wrath waxed hotly more and more;
Until thy Royal blood, O saint, cancelled the sin of yore.
And now before our God, in joyous grief we bend,
And pray that England's Throne and Church He ever will defend.
Jesus, be praise to thee, who reignest in the sky,
To Father and to Holy Ghost be praise eternally.
As I said in my 2010 lecture on Music and the Church, one of my favourite moments of any mass with a choral setting by a great composer is when the priest intones the Preface and its conclusion ("Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name, evermore praising thee and saying,") is followed immediately by a stupendous Sanctus, as was the case today; Dr. Burton didn't miss a beat bringing the choir and orchestra in so that Mozart's glorious music upstairs in the back flowed organically from the solemn liturgy celebrated by Bishop Iker downstairs in the front. The consecration of the elements accomplished, the Agnus Dei, ending with a recapitulation of the material from the opening Kyrie, concluded my duties as cellist. The choir sang William Byrd's Ave Verum (I was glad that the music for the day included a piece by an English composer with whose music King Charles, though not of the same Church, may have been familiar) as the congregation including me received Communion. Since at the 2002 and 2006 SKCM masses I was not yet baptized, it meant a lot to me to finally be able to receive Communion at this mass. Two more Society hymns and final prayers concluded the liturgy.
Recessional
Participating Clergy after the Mass
Afterwards most of us continued to St Vincent's Parish Hall for an elegant English luncheon consisting of Salad, Beef Wellington, Mushy Peas, Roasted Vegetables, Cornish Hen, Trifle, and Sticky Toffee Pudding. I enjoyed meeting Bishop Iker; contrary to what his liberal detractors might assume, American Anglicanism's leading traditionalist is strikingly warm and friendly in person, as is Bishop Ackerman, who had me stand up to show the assembly my Society pin and tie. (I had also brought SKCM membership forms which were all taken.) Both bishops as well as St Vincent's Dean Reed were very appreciative of the music. The lovely afternoon concluded with the assembled monarchists (including Fr. Yost and his son), representing both the Anglican and Roman Catholic communions, posing for a picture with Bishop Ackerman (Bishop Iker had already left to look after his grandchildren).
L-R: Fr. Reid Wightman, Benjamin Austin, Theodore Harvey, Bishop Keith Ackerman, Chase Fowler, Michael Yost, Fr. Martin Yost.
All in all this was an unforgettable day well worth the months of anticipation and planning it took. I'm sure everyone who came was very glad they were there, and the event made me grateful to be an Anglican and proud to be a monarchist and musician. I'm sure that King Charles I rejoices to know that no matter how much time has passed since his reign and no matter how much the heirs of his Roundhead enemies scoff, there will always be those of us who remember him and that for which he died.
The SKCM's Mark Wuonola and I are both fans of Viennese orchestral masses in their intended liturgical context, which whenever possible has been the custom at SKCM masses, and St Vincent's and its music director Barbara Burton proved happy to oblige with Mozart's Spatzen Messe ("Sparrow Mass"), K. 220. As an SKCM member I donated my services as cellist and recruited two of my Dallas Symphony colleagues to play violin. I arrived early for rehearsal and was pleased to see both the Society's large portrait of King Charles and the programs with my name on the back, the first time I had been associated as a cellist with any religious service honouring a King.
Before the other musicians had arrived, Dr Burton and I went through the Bach Air which I would play at the Offertory. Then with the full choir, soloists, and strings we rehearsed the Mozart mass. Everyone was well prepared and I had no doubt the music for the liturgy would go smoothly. I was excited for what was only my second time performing an orchestral mass liturgically. I greeted my friends and fellow royalists from Sherman, Fr. Reid Wightman and Michael Yost (son of today's preacher), until it was time to return to the organ loft where my symphony colleague Andrew Schast (whose wife had been music director at St Vincent's) and Dr. Burton beautifully performed Mozart's Adagio in E, K. 261 for the Prelude.
After the Creed, the Prayers, and the Greetings the Offertory began as Dr. Burton and I played Bach's Air from the Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D BWV 1068. A special piece for me in that I also performed it at both of my grandmothers' funerals, it works for any occasion. This was followed by another Society hymn, happily in the same key, whose last two verses I think are worth quoting in their entirety.
A century before Great Charles was called to die,
A sinful king laid waste the Church -- Angered our God on high.
The fire of Heaven's wrath waxed hotly more and more;
Until thy Royal blood, O saint, cancelled the sin of yore.
And now before our God, in joyous grief we bend,
And pray that England's Throne and Church He ever will defend.
Jesus, be praise to thee, who reignest in the sky,
To Father and to Holy Ghost be praise eternally.
As I said in my 2010 lecture on Music and the Church, one of my favourite moments of any mass with a choral setting by a great composer is when the priest intones the Preface and its conclusion ("Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name, evermore praising thee and saying,") is followed immediately by a stupendous Sanctus, as was the case today; Dr. Burton didn't miss a beat bringing the choir and orchestra in so that Mozart's glorious music upstairs in the back flowed organically from the solemn liturgy celebrated by Bishop Iker downstairs in the front. The consecration of the elements accomplished, the Agnus Dei, ending with a recapitulation of the material from the opening Kyrie, concluded my duties as cellist. The choir sang William Byrd's Ave Verum (I was glad that the music for the day included a piece by an English composer with whose music King Charles, though not of the same Church, may have been familiar) as the congregation including me received Communion. Since at the 2002 and 2006 SKCM masses I was not yet baptized, it meant a lot to me to finally be able to receive Communion at this mass. Two more Society hymns and final prayers concluded the liturgy.
Recessional
Participating Clergy after the Mass
Afterwards most of us continued to St Vincent's Parish Hall for an elegant English luncheon consisting of Salad, Beef Wellington, Mushy Peas, Roasted Vegetables, Cornish Hen, Trifle, and Sticky Toffee Pudding. I enjoyed meeting Bishop Iker; contrary to what his liberal detractors might assume, American Anglicanism's leading traditionalist is strikingly warm and friendly in person, as is Bishop Ackerman, who had me stand up to show the assembly my Society pin and tie. (I had also brought SKCM membership forms which were all taken.) Both bishops as well as St Vincent's Dean Reed were very appreciative of the music. The lovely afternoon concluded with the assembled monarchists (including Fr. Yost and his son), representing both the Anglican and Roman Catholic communions, posing for a picture with Bishop Ackerman (Bishop Iker had already left to look after his grandchildren).
L-R: Fr. Reid Wightman, Benjamin Austin, Theodore Harvey, Bishop Keith Ackerman, Chase Fowler, Michael Yost, Fr. Martin Yost.
All in all this was an unforgettable day well worth the months of anticipation and planning it took. I'm sure everyone who came was very glad they were there, and the event made me grateful to be an Anglican and proud to be a monarchist and musician. I'm sure that King Charles I rejoices to know that no matter how much time has passed since his reign and no matter how much the heirs of his Roundhead enemies scoff, there will always be those of us who remember him and that for which he died.
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