Kreider's Korner Photographs

Vancouver Cantata Singers in Pre-Concert Warmup in Roundhouse

2012-02-09T23:01:00.001-08:00

Here are a few shots taken during our brief warmup for Romancero, given this evening in the Roundhouse to a filled house. It was even more fun than I dared imagine. The photos show the fun the choir has just being together, in spite of it being a Thursday evening after a full day of work, with a 5:00 a.m. wake-up facing some the next morning. One (possibly more) singer went to work today in concert attire and come to the warmup directly from work. Dedication to art!

Vancouver Cantata Singers Rehearse "Romancero" in the Roundhouse

2012-02-09T12:22:00.001-08:00

The Vancouver Cantata Singers held their dress rehearsal for Romancero in Vancouver's Roundhouse. This concert features choral music accompanied by the exceptionally talented Canadian marimbist Anne-Julie Caron.

The stage lighting sadly included row of blue spots which were unkind to skin tones, so I have rendered most of the photos without the customary colour range.

Vancouver Chamber Choir Rehearsal

2012-01-28T10:22:00.000-08:00

I was able to attend the dress rehearsal for the Vancouver Chamber Choir's recent very successful concert at Ryerson United, Canticum Canticorum, Renaissance music based on verses from the Song of Songs. The choir very kindly let me photograph throughout the rehearsal and ignored my prowling about, standing on pews (shoes removed), etc. Steven suggested that I try to give a sense of individuals during a rehearsal, rather than the more typical formal shot of an entire choir at a distance. This choir has very talented singers with amazing powers of concentration. You should hear them sometime.

Église Saint-Nicolas-des-Champs, Paris

2012-01-09T18:46:00.005-08:00

The Église St-Martin-des-Champs (Church of St Martin of the Fields) is in the 3rd arrondissement on the right bank of Paris, 0.2 kms from both the Hôtel de Ville and Châtelet métros. The original chapel was quite modest, dependent on the St. Martin's Abbey (now the Musée des Arts et Métiers). In 1184, the chapel was rebuilt as the principal place of worship for the newly-created parish for Beaubourg, people living around the Abbey and undoubtedly earning at least some of their livelihood by working for it. Designed in the flamboyant Gothic style, it has been constructed in stages over a considerable time, with special building campaigns surfacing in the 12th, 15th and 17th centuries. In 1793, in keeping with the truly bizarre thinking of the radicals leading the Revolution, this beautiful church was designated as the Temple to Hymen and Fidelity. Once the excesses of the radicals were no longer tolerated, the church reverted to its original function, as a place of worship (1802). Today, it is the headquarters for a very active parish. During my visit in May of 2011, there was special interest in the progress of the canonization of John Paul II.

Former Cistercian Abbaye Notre Dame de La Grâce-Dieu, Doubs, France

2012-01-04T13:56:00.004-08:00

The former Cistercian Abbey, L'Abbaye Notre Dame de la Grâce Dieu is nestled in a wooded valley created by the Audeus River about 30 kms east of Besançon. This was the 11th monastery to be founded by Citeaux, one of four Cistercian mother houses. The abbey's official founding date, March 25, 1139, would have marked the beginning of the New Year in certain secular calendars, but more importantly to the Cistercians, it was the Feast of the Annunciation. Granted land by the several of the local nobles, founding and maintaining the monastery on this undeveloped land proved arduous.

Its original 12th- and 13th-c. Romanesque buildings suffered destruction as opposing armies passed through the valley, particularly during the religious wars of the 1500s and early 1600s. In 1653 Rome decreed that several aspects of Jansenism, a rapidly-growing movement among some French Catholics, was heretical, and since the Abbaye de la Grâce-Dieu had agreed with other French Catholics interested in this line of thinking, they suffered.

Approaching the abbey, crossing a river.

Gated carriage entrance to the abbey

Entering the initial enclosure

Looking across the truncated nave.

Members start to gather in choir for daily evening worship.

Over the centuries, various buildings have undergone reconstruction, including the water mill (which was crucial to the locals), the hotel (which housed visitors), and the Neo-Gothic sanctuary (which was rebuilt in the mid 19th century). In 1995, the Abbey was officially designated as an historical monument.

The abbey has needed to be repopulated from time to time. When Cistercians from the Abbaye Port Royal des Champs had outgrown their facilities, some of the monks moved to help out at La Grâce-Dieu. But it was this group which later came under suspicion for its Jansenist leanings in the mid 1600s, and felt the wrath of Louis XIV.

This impoverished old abbey then suffered severe flooding in 1759, and its monks were forced to leave yet again. But even worse ordeals came with the French Revolution, which gave vent to resentments against all monastic establishments. Locals were finally emboldened to break down the Abbey's doors and to pillage at will. Once the Revolution was consolidated, decrees were issued from Paris which instructed that the abbey's furniture be sold, as well as its forests, mill, and other buildings. The forge, which was installed in the resonant chapel, must have produced deafening noise.

Half a century later, the secular owners put the former abbey on the market (1844), when it was repurchased by Cistercian monks, this time from the Val Sainte Marie. They restored the chapel and other buildings. Within decades, declining numbers prompted them to leave (in 1909), and they were eventually replaced by Cistercian sisters (1927). By 2010, this group of nuns dwindled to 12 aging nuns, so they were asked by the diocese to join other Cistercian nuns at the Abbaye d'Igny. Les travailleuses missionnaires de l'Immaculée de la Famille (now called the Famille Missionnaire Donum Dei) has taken over the former abbey. This lay order (Third Order) of Carmelites uses the facilities for a 6-year course of rigorous training for novices interested inbecoming full members, who then work at secular jobs but remain celibate, live in a common life (sharing goods and incomes) and meet several times daily for worship.

We visited the former Cistercian abbey late afternoon on June 4th, 2010, arriving in time to walk alone on the public grounds briefly before hearing the novitiates sing Evensong in the simple but beautiful Neo-Gothic chapel. Only the choir and crossing of this former abbey church now stands, but its acoustics are perfect, even when the untrained laity sing chant. We heard 5 men and 18 women sing, but the music was decidedly best when only the women sang.

Basilique Notre-Dame des Victoires, Paris

2011-12-28T11:14:00.006-08:00

The Basilica (sometimes called Église or Church) of Our Lady of Victories is located in Paris, in the 2nd arrondissement near the Stock Exchange (Rue Notre-Dame des Victoires; the nearest métro is Bourse).

Augustinian monks (sometimes then known as Les Petits Pères, the Little Fathers) had purchased the property in order to build a convent and place of worship. Almost immediately after dedicating the grounds, Louis XIII agreed to finance the church if it were dedicated to the Virgin Mary, to whom he credited his recent important military victory over the Protestants in the lengthy siege of La Rochelle (September 10, 1627-October 28, 1628). Construction began in 1629, but a serious lack of royal funds stopped all work until about 1656. The incomplete church was dedicated in 1666 and the basilica was finally completed in 1737. Ironically, shortly after the Revolution (50 years later), the basilica which was built in honour of Catholicism's victory over Protestants was then emptied of Catholics in order to house the national lottery and stock exchange. However, under the First Empire (10 years later), it reverted to being a place of worship for the local parish.

As you walk through this basilica, you are immediately struck by all the white marble plaques thousands of individuals, most of whom donated a plaque in thanksgiving for the Virgin's help during their military service in various wars, local and foreign, particularly during the 1800s. Entire walls and even a few arches are now covered with more than 36,000 plaques. Some are explicit and dated, others only allude to having been helped by Mary.

I recalled two salient things when observing and enjoying this church: (1) Although I am a practicing Protestant, there I was, photographing a church built in thanksgiving for the defeat of some Protestants, and (2) although I, like so many of my ancestors, am a pacifist, there I stood, looking in amazement at 36,000 expressions of thanks, many of which concern the granting of personal safety while being hired (or conscripted) to kill others. As these two ironies sank into my thinking, I stopped to offer a special prayer that all Christians will seek to be more Christlike, and that all wars will cease.

Église Saint-Merri, Paris

2011-12-24T21:29:00.002-08:00

The parish church of Saint Merri is located in the 4th arrondissement in Paris on the Rue de Rivoli (near the métro Hôtel de Ville and the Georges Pompidou Centre). The Abbot Méric (died 700 and canonized a little over a century later) was viewed as the patron saint of the right bank, the business district of the city. His name was eventually contracted to "Merri".

What initially attracted me to Saint-Merri was its unusual open-door policy. Facing one of the city's busiest streets, both of the front doors frequently remain wide open during the week, inviting those with weary feet to enter, pause, rest, enjoy, and reflect. This is what all churches and temples ought to do. It is so satisfying to stand at the back of the apse (completed 1552, look down the long nave (completed 1520) toward the majestic organ pipes at the back, and see the open doors admitting both people and light into the church.

The organ was completed in 1650 and refurbished and enlarged at various times, most recently in 1947. Somehow, it would seem that the basic organ and at least some of the art survived the ravages of the French Revolution. The church was transformed into a factory for the manufacture of saltpeter in 1793, and before being rededicated as a place of worship (1803).

A modest altar-table has been placed forward at the crossing of the transept (completed 1526). To this flamboyant Gothic style (built in the Renaissance) have been added various sculptures in the Baroque style, including the brilliant burst of golden clouds over the high altar at the back of the choir.

The rose window in the north transept.

One never tires of the beautiful geometric patterns of marble used in the magnificent apse.

I have never seen the high altar be used, but it would seem appropriate on the patron's feast day.

Vancouver Cantata Singers' 9th annual Christmas Reprise 2011

2011-12-19T13:32:00.004-08:00

The Vancouver Cantata Singers performed its 9th annual Christmas Reprise at the Holy Rosary Cathedral on Saturday afternoon, December 17th, 2011. The first photos record just a bit of our dress rehearsal the previous evening in the Cathedral. The reverberant sound is very satisfying for choral music.

The next afternoon, Jesse Read once again took photographs of the concert from the organ loft at the back of the cathedral. You can almost spot him in the balcony, leaning over the camera on the tripod.

This Spanish carol kept singers moving.

12 men from the choir + our singing conductor.

Bibel's Ave Maria is sung from the three aisles at the conclusion of each Christmas Reprise.

Watching music--watching conductor

The audience stood to join enthusiastically in singing The First Noël at the end of the concert.

Bief and the Montbéliarde Cows

2011-12-14T10:42:00.008-08:00

We almost did not stop in Bief because there is not a biological connection to Janice's family, but there is a family connection, and we were intrigued by the small village which was on our way to Neuvier. In 1801, Jacob Frey was born in Bief. When he married Mary Graber and farmed in Voujeaucourt (now a suburb of Montbéliard), he took Mary's daughter (Verena Graber) into his family. This Verena was Janice's great-great grandmother Aeschliman. They all migrated to the U.S. in 1835 when Verena was 11 years old.

The rural village of Bief (named after the local river) is in the département of Doubs, in the région Franche-Comté. A 2006 census recorded 116 people living within the village's 4 sq. km, which is an improvement from the 94 counted about a decade earlier. There are several prominent outcroppings of limestone in the local foothills, reminding us that the soil is often stony, but still suitable for grazing.

Quoting from the informative sign:

Nestled in the confluence of the Bief--which gave its name to the village--and the Doubs, Bief was recognized as far back as the Middle Ages for its mills powered by water, via a ribe (a type of mill), and an ordinary furnace, for the subjects of the Châtillon-Sous-Maîche domain.

The stone roadside cross dates from the 16th century and the chapel was founded in 1669 by the inhabitants of Bief who had survived the plague.

The 16th-c. cross (of which this is but the very top) has survived the weather over the centuries remarkably well. The primitive figure is a stylized depiction of the crucified Christ, emphasizing agony through the position of the figure's head and rib cage.

I enjoyed this fisherman patiently waiting for something for dinner. The spring months had been unusually dry, so this mountain stream was quite shallow.

The vine climbing the south side of this extended dwelling must produce enough grapes for many a bottle of fine local wine.

At least twice daily, a herd of montbéliardes (cows) deliberately marches through the village. In this late afternoon photo, they were heading home. Nobody needs to lead them because they know the way, and know to walk in line, without being unduly distracted by two Canadian tourists with cameras. All village traffic stops of course, as it has for years. The cows want to be milked and fed before settling in for the evening.

These red-on-white montbéliardes are the cows bred by the Swiss Mennonites who fled Bern (or Berne, in nearby Switzerland) because of religious intolerance. The Franco-Swiss Mennonites apparently bred their Swiss mountain cattle with certain of the local cattle and finally produced the "montbéliarde" cows (first named by Joseph Graber in 1872). This breed was finally officially recognized (complete with a genealogy and stud records) in 1889, and is now found in 50 countries throughout the world. The montbéliardes are not only known for their excellent meat, but are they also the third most productive producers of milk in France. About 2/3 of this rich milk is turned into cheese, both the famed Comté and my favourite, Emmantal. This French Emmantal cheese is closely related to the Swiss cheese of a similar appellation. One surmises that the yeasts and cheese-making techniques were brought from Bern, across the border and into eastern France by Swiss Mennonite immigrants in the 17th and 18th centuries. Knowing this story made the 'cow event' all the more memorable.

One recent set of photos on the web showing the same woman on this road with her herd is entitled, "Quand les vaches de m. Belot traversent le village" (When the cows of Madame Belot go through the village"). I presume that this is her herd of montbéliardes.

Pierrefontaine les Blamont, Doubs, France

2011-12-11T20:10:00.007-08:00

The picturesque village of Pierrefontaine-les-Blamont (département Doubs, Franche-Comté) features a remarkable stone fountain (Pierrefontaine), one which has undoubtedly satisfied many of the region's animals over the years. This beautifully restored fountain is fed by one of six mountain springs which dot the area.

As I took a brief stroll to the edge of the village and beyond, I was impressed by the careful gardening and colourful plantings which live up to the village's proud designation, village fleuri (village of flowers).

'Honey wagon' going through village's main street

One road leading away from Pierrefontaine-les-Blamont climbed briefly before offering a view of the surrounding farmlands and a peak of the rooftops and church steeples of Blamont.

View of Blamont from outside Pierrefontaine-les-Blamont

Someone cleverly transformed the stumps of two fallen trees into morel mushrooms (real delicacies of the woods).

A welcoming Montbéliarde cow.

We then drove a short distance to the Brisepoutot Farms, where Janice's Great-great Grandmother (Catherine Richard) was born in 1831 and married to Christian Lugbill/Lugbull in 1851. These farms obtained their water from two limestone springs (visit the website, then click on Hydrologie).

Vancouver in December at 3:00 p.m. (low sun)

2011-12-09T15:57:00.002-08:00

These days (December 8th) find Vancouver's sun sinking increasingly close to the horizon and the sun itself gone shortly after 4:00 (we are reasonably west in our timezone). Since the sun's light is filtered through more of the atmosphere as it comes at such low angles, we can enjoy pronounced contrasts of light and dark, and increased density of colours. It will be this way for only about four weeks, some of which will have rain and no direct sunlight. Vancouverites have learned to enjoy this wonderful winter light whenever we can.

Landscapes and farm vistas near Neuvier, Doubs, Franche-Comté, France

2011-12-07T18:08:00.001-08:00

During our very brief drive through the hameau of Neuvier (in the département du Doubs in eastern France) we were unable to park within the very busy tiny collection of several farm homes and barns but needed to drive just beyond the buildings to the north. We parked on a very narrow dirt country road and admired the peaceful expanses of fields, herds of Montbéliardes grazing on the idyllic hillsides partially covered with forest.

This was the landscape enjoyed by Janice's great-great-great grandmother, Mary Graber, who gave birth to Verena Graber (who then married into the Aeschliman family) in her parental home on the Graber family farm, Montprevoir, in the Neuvier area.

The Grabers left Switzerland due to religious persecution, sought refuge in Ste-Marie-aux-Mines in the Alsace. However, they were later expelled by Louis XIV, and moved to the Montbéliard area in 1715. In 1835 they joined other Swiss-French Anabaptists in migrating to Ohio, first to Wayne County, then on to work in the black swamps of NE Ohio, giving up centuries of unbelievably beautiful Swiss-French scenery. While this change of scenery in Ohio must have been disheartening, being able to purchase land and have religious freedom was a dream come true.

Dung, Doubs, France

2011-12-02T20:59:00.001-08:00

The village of Dung is in the département of Doubs in the Franche-Comté region not far from the border with Switzerland. The census in 2007 reported 648 people living in the village. A brief stroll through Dung shows that its citizens are carefully maintaining their residences nestled in this gentle valley.

Janice's Aeschliman ancestors farmed near Dung in the mid 1820's after fleeing Switzerland as Anabaptists. They left France in 1834. The quality of land always varies, but some fields certainly look fertile.

Field along the road from Dung to Blamont

If you stack your firewood next to a public road, I supposed it is best to know when it has been disturbed.

There are many well-tended garden plots in this rural area.

This was possibly one of several wells in Dung. It is now covered for safety, but the wrought iron decoration remains.

I assume this wonderful collection of bird houses was once used by pigeons, some of which can be a delicacy.

The cemetery on the other side of the valley is now being hemmed in by new homes.

As it expands, the cemetery has been built in tiers, slowly climbing out of the valley. From here, you get a good view of the village and its prominent church (which was closed when we visited).

The name "Goll" means something to people living in Fulton County, Ohio near Archbold and Lockport, because they enjoy the Goll Woods, a State Nature Preserve of 321 acres which shows how the Black Swamp used to look with its old growth trees and variety of bushes and shrubs. This fertile land was once a lake bottom.

The Golls were one of the first families to move into that part of Fulton County. Some of their descendants are buried in the Goll cemetery in that preserve. The grave stone in Dung (France, shown below) possibly commemorates a distant relative of the Ohio Golls. The inscription begins, "Here lies the body of Emile Georges Frederick Goll" (a combination of both French and German names).

I included this photo to show yet another possible variant for Lugbill: Lugenbuhler.

In order that some cemeteries in France continue to receive funding as the decades slip by, their plots are treated as concessions which are rented, rather than purchased. You occasionally see signs which warn unnamed descendents of the deceased that they are urgently requested to go to City Hall because their concession has now expired. In other words, they need to pay to renew the concession, or, out come the shovels and someone else gets the spot. I think this is yet another reason some former burial plots for immigrate ancestors have long since disappeared; once descendants emigrate, they no longer think of renewing the concessions in the cemetery. (Of course in those days, the Anabaptists would not have been granted the right to be buried in either the Catholic or Lutheran cemeteries; even after death, there are standards to be upheld.)

Blamont, Doubs, France

2011-11-29T16:23:00.005-08:00

The town of Blamont is in the département Doubs, in the Franche-Comté region near the border with Switzerland. Today's farming commune (including the town and its surrounding area) has about 1,100 residents.

The present Catholic church was dedicated in 1826. The bell tower has 3 bells ("Jeanne Rose" weighing in at 950 kg; "Pierre Marie", a mere 70 kg; and the 3rd is lovingly known as "Christian is my name, Catholic my surname"). The facade was refurbished in the 1990s.

One beautiful window commemorates poor St Joseph Marchand, a lad from Passavant who became a Catholic missionary to Vietnam. Even though he was a missionary, he joined an armed rebellion against the Emperor, somehow hoping to place the Emperor's Catholic relative on the throne. They controlled Saigon for several years before the rebellion was finally quelled. Marchand and friends were punished most horribly. Hot iron tongs were used to pull off his flesh, after which his body were hacked into bits and tossed into the ocean. In 1988, Pope John Paul II canonized Marchand along with other Vietnamese martyrs including French and Spanish missionaries to Vietnam, 37 Vietnamese priests and 59 Catholic laity. Marchand's feast day is November 30th.

We wisely decided to have lunch at Au Relais des Saveurs. The cuisine is very traditional in the local French-Swiss style.

Since the Richards (my wife's ancestors ) used to live near Blamont, we visited the local Catholic cemetery, but Mennonites would not be buried there.

An interesting statue honours a local citizen and politician, Jules Viette (1843-1894). Carvings (on the back, not shown here) depict a montbéliard (a special breed of cow bred by the Grabers, Swiss Anabaptist immigrants in the 1600s, possibly with help from the Lugbills). The cow recalling Viette's service as Minister of Agriculture (1887-1888). There is also a depiction of a locomotive which refers to Viett's brief time as Minister of Public Works, 1892-1893). A sword and pistol recall his feats during the War of 1870. Viette's bust towers over figures depicting a miner with his lantern (industry) and a barefoot peasant holding her sickle while resting on sheaves of wheat (agriculture).

Winter Berries in Vancouver in November

2011-11-27T19:50:00.002-08:00

Even after US Thanksgiving in late November, Vancouver has lovely coloured leaves and a variety of berries.

Cotoneaster dammeri

Snowberry (Symphoricarpos)

Flowering currant

Smoke bush

Cathéderale Notre-Dame de Senlis

2011-11-22T22:28:00.005-08:00

When is a cathedral not a cathedral? Although the Concordat of 1801 placed the former bishopric of Senlis under that of Beauvais, thereby technically ending its status as the seat of the Bishop of Senlis, the Notre Dame Cathedral of Senlis enjoyed a long and distinguished history for many centuries and still fondly bears the honorific appellation of 'cathedral'.

Senlis was the third city to have a church built in the new Gothic style (after the Abbey of St Denis just north of Paris, and the Cathedral of Noyon). The present structure was begun in 1153 and essentially enclosed by 1191. Louis VII was particularly generous, granting Senlis a municipal charter of rights and several grants toward the construction of the cathedral. A severe lightning strike forced the citizens of Senlis to make extensive repairs to the cathedral's vaulting, and as time passed, the authorities opted to devote considerable resources to updating the cathedral's architectural style. Consequently, one can see a wide variety of styles in this one building. During the Revolution, Senlis fell on hard times, but was not dismantled since it was used to store the statuary of other churches. It did suffer interior damage to its own stonework until the French government finally declared it to be a national monument. Today this magnificent church is an active place of worship, recalling the centuries when it was a cathedral, but the church now lack the customary choir stalls, etc., all of which had been removed earlier.

Prayer Room, often used

Gerberoy's Collegiale St. Pierre

2011-11-21T14:03:00.002-08:00

As the medieval village of Gerberoy grew during the vibrant 11th and 12th centuries, it finally officially became a 'ville' in 1202. Its strategic location, however, caused Gerberoy to be the scene for numerous armed conflicts, particularly during the Hundred Years War. The present structure needed to be rebuilt in the 15th century after being burned by the English. The church's nave and wooden ceiling are now in the Norman style.

The congregants sat in their box pews while the Collégiale's Premonstratensian canons led worship from the altar and their choir stalls. There was 26 Premonstratensians in Gerberoy (an order founded in Northern France by St Norbert in 1120), and this number briefly grew to about 50 in subsequent centuries. The duties of these canons included saying daily Mass (for they were both priests and clerics), the eight daily Offices, and serving as clerics for the church at large, each having his own jurisdiction.

Box pews

Baptismal font and spiral stairs to the balcony in the back of the church.

Box pews

The Choir and altar.

Choir stalls for the Premonstratensian canons

Gerberoy, Ville des roses

2011-11-20T13:50:00.003-08:00

The beautiful medieval town of Gerberoy is now known as the "Village of Roses". Royal permission was granted in 1202 enabling Gerberoy to be called a 'Ville'. It is located in the present département of Oise in Northern France (Picardy), in the center of a triangle formed by Beauvais, Amiens and Rouen, one of the theatres for the disastrous Hundred Years War.

Now classified as one of the 'most beautiful villages in France', this formerly neglected farming village was rediscovered in 1901 by various artists, including Auguste Delaherche and Henri le Sidaner. Sidaner's avid interest in roses led him to plant them everywhere, not just at his home but all around the village, the ancient fort ruins, along paths leading into the village, everywhere. Before long, citified retirees discovered the charm of the village's old half-timbered structures from the 17th and 18th centuries and its buildings made of brick, as well as the wonderful views the village offered of the surrounding lush farmland.Begun in 1928, Gerberoy's famed Fête des roses now attracts thousands of tourists annually. If you can visit Gerberoy on the third Sunday of June, you will see the village's flowers at their peak, during this festival. (These photos were taken in the afternoon of June 14th, 2011, at the end of a very dry spring; rains were just returning.)

First Snow in Vancouver, November 18th

2011-11-18T09:46:00.002-08:00

Even a single inch of wet snow puts Vancouver into a tither--some buses are not making it up the hill to UBC, one high bridge is temporarily closed, traffic is slower, and the city's noises are slightly muted. Now that surrounding neighbours' trees shade our apple tree, it no longer produces tasty fruit, so this is its final season. I wish to honour its former days of excellent productivity with a few photos. (I confess that I have not properly honoured the tree according to Renaissance protocol: I should have made some hot cider on January 1st, taken a bowl of it out to the tree, and sung an apple carol in order to thank the tree and request it to provide fruit for the coming year. Live and learn.)

Tydeman apples

Rudbeckia

Hollyhock

Aerosolegrafia etc. found near Station Street, Vancouver, B.C.

2011-11-16T10:57:00.004-08:00

Some wall murals spray painted by graffiti artists in 2007 still survive near Vancouver's Station Street.

Air conditioner grill

Ruins at the Abbaye royale de Chaalis, France

2011-11-13T19:48:00.002-08:00

In the Ermenonville Forest of the Oise Department (about 40 kms NE of Paris) stands what remains of one of France's finest abbeys, the Abbaye royale de Chaalis.

In its day, this church was one of the largest in the Cistercian order (82 m long and 40 m tall). Consecrated in 1218, the choir (in the apse) served as the burial site for 17 of the monastery's abbots. During the 100 Years War, a fortifying wall was built for the abbey's protection. But the Cistercians experienced a marked decline in their conversi recruitment, celibate men who toiled in the fields in order to support the many monks. By 1541, the monarchy decreed that henceforth it would appoint the abbots (not the monks), and the abbey's spiritual decline became inevitable. By the time of the French Revolution, records showed that there were only 12 monks left, and of those, only the 3 who were infirm remained in the abbey itself. In 1793, all the lands, the forests and abbey grounds were sold off 'for the good of the nation' to Pierre Étienne Joseph Paris, who lived with his family in the nave of the church while tearing down the other buildings, essentially treating them as quarries for stones which could be transported elsewhere to be used in new building projects. He finally tore down most of the grand church (again, for stones), saving only the one transept and the beautiful private chapel.

In 1902, the grounds and ruins were purchased by a man whose Protestant family had made its fortune in banking. He and his successors undertook the long process of restoring that which could be restored and cleaning up the rest. Today one can visit not only the beautiful jewel of a chapel, but also the expansive ruins of the church, the hunting lodge (now a museum) and other restored buildings.

I enjoyed walking through the ruins of this grand church, seeing how its walls were built of stone rubble and cement and then covered with finely chiseled stone, imagining how the restorers must have worked to piece things together again from stone bits scattered all over, and sometimes specially creating a new stone to complete an archway.

Seeing the abbot's well-preserved private chapel through the breached wall.

Looking toward the northern transept.

Cross section of an outer wall.

Swallow nests nestled in the ribbed vaulting.

Vancouver Cantata Singers + ICORD = Spinal Chord 2011

2011-11-12T17:30:00.002-08:00

The Vancouver Cantata Singers and ICORD (International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, i.e., related to spinal cord problems) held their 3rd annual Spinal Chord (yes, with an "h") Nov. 5th, 2011 and it was a great success--excellent attendance, our best silent auction ever, an exciting live auction with big ticket items, excellent acoustics for my favourite choir, superb organization at every level, and everybody had a great time. It is interesting seeing this atrium be transformed into a concert venue, and you can watch the choir and/or see the well-lit research labs and offices on the upper levels. Visually, this illustrates the happy confluence of science and the musical arts.

Next year, Nov. 3rd, 2012. Hope to see some of you there!

Turning Point Ensemble's November Rehearsal

2011-11-09T15:01:00.002-08:00

The concert gives Vancouver a rare opportunity to hear Berio's Folk Songs, this time sung by Fides Krucker, who learned the songs under Berio himself.

Professor Dorthy Chang teaches music composition at UBC. Turning Point will perform her chamber symphony entitled Three Windows, the three movements portraying Vancouver's ever-changing sky, its sea and landscape.

November leaves in Vancouver

2011-11-05T11:08:00.003-07:00

All reside in Janice's garden.

Vancouver's English Bay from Jericho Beach in November

2011-11-04T09:37:00.001-07:00

Hint of a rainbow.

Vancouver Cantata Singers' Dress Rehearsal @ Blusson

2011-11-02T23:23:00.002-07:00

The lighting was considerably less than previous evenings, so the results were noticeably different.


Recording for CBC French Radio

Mendelssohn's Denn er hat seinen Engeln.

Giving pitch for Bibel's Ave Maria

General Manager and tenors

Interview for Radio Canada (French)

Volunteers

Leaves on Nov. 1st in Vancouver

2011-11-01T20:02:00.000-07:00

One simply has to photograph before the rains return. Our witch hazel which was so beautiful three days ago is now bare. But I should back up a bit . . . when we moved to Vancouver in 1975, we could not believe how brown and bereft the city was of the fall reds, oranges and yellows we so admired on the east coast. Apparently we were not alone. 35 years later we see quite a few different types of red leaves, a great variety of yellows, and of course the omnipresent wash of west-coast green.

I also visited UBC's Botanical Garden for an hour this afternoon. It was chilly, often breezy, but there were brief bursts of bright sun coming through the foliage. I think leaves are at their best when I see the sunlight coming through them, rather than reflecting off them.

Knox United Church with fall colours

2011-10-31T16:59:00.002-07:00

On the Eve of All Saints, I enjoyed the fall colours of the sanctuary and small chapel while setting up chairs for choir rehearsal.

Bokeh of fall leaves

2011-10-29T16:20:00.001-07:00

The colours of fall are so beautiful these days. I noticed that even leaves photographed out of focus can offer an amazing range of colour.

Witch Hazel and other fall garden colours in Vancouver

2011-10-27T15:16:00.002-07:00

Lily of the valley--beautiful in spring and fall.

Swiss chard

Vancouver Cantata Singers Rehearse in Blusson Centre

2011-10-26T23:01:00.002-07:00

This evening the Vancouver Cantata Singers had their first (of two) rehearsals in the Blusson Centre for the big fundraiser, Ichord, benefiting both the choir and research on spinal cord injuries and rehabilitation. The beautiful atrium, with its winding spiral ramp ascending three floors--was silent except for exquisite choral singing. It was fun shooting.

Vancouver Cantata Singers at UBC's Beaty Biodiversity Museum

2011-10-26T17:24:00.001-07:00

The Vancouver Cantata Singers are becoming known for searching out unusual yet promising concert venues. They recently performed a concert of choral music from c. 1800-1850 (using a Broadwood pianoforte from the 1840s) at UBC's new and utterly wonderful Beaty Biodiversity Museum. The museum's main hall is essentially a deep cement trough, over which float the bones of the largest whale ever (it washed up in eastern Canada, was purposefully and carefully buried in a way that cleaned the bones a decade later. The bones were then catalogued and shipped across the continent to be reassembled. The museum has hundreds (thousands?) of other Natural History items on display.

During the daytime, the museum's hall is well-lit by two walls of windows. At night, however, the hall was quite dark. But since few choirs get to sing either under a whale or to herds of deer, a few photos seemed appropriate.

Aerosolegrafia in Vancouver

2011-10-24T17:22:00.002-07:00

La Chapelle Sainte-Marie, Abbaye royale de Chaalis

2011-10-18T20:34:00.002-07:00

Not far from Senlis is the former Benedictine Abbaye de Chaalis. At one time an important spiritual retreat for certain French kings (hence "royal"), the Abbye fell into disrepair after the Revolution and the confiscation of monastic lands. The Chapelle Sainte-Marie, however, has been preserved (and superbly restored). In a sense, this is a boutique chapel, possibly seating 30 comfortably, 45 in a pinch.

Built from 1250-55, its tall stained glass windows recall the use of light in the rayonnant stile in La Sainte Chapelle (Paris, completed in 1248), though no flying buttresses are required because the height is not extreme. The inner peace of the chapel is wonderful. This was to be used for the private offices of the Abbot (there were 8 offices in a 24-hour day). I was privileged to be in the chapel by myself for 20 minutes, about the length of a shorter daytime office, before other visitors entered. I could imagine myself being the Abbot (without any responsibilities of course) and I also enjoyed singing a few Gregorian chants and intoning parts of several Psalms by memory in the wonderful acoustical space.

Montmartre

2011-10-16T17:57:00.002-07:00

I seem to keep returning to the view from the southern side of Montmartre. On this prominent hill (north of the river), people constructed the Sacre Coeur Basilica
(Basilique du Sacre-Coeur), partly as an act of devotion, partly in response to a growing secularism and the perceived threat of science. When the Tour Eiffel became famous for suddenly providing one the highest point in Paris, some felt that a church ought to have that distinction, so they built Sacre Coeur on the pinnacle of Montmartre. It is in fact higher (hill included) than the famous tower.
The two stairways leading pilgrims and tourists to Sacre Coeur offer spectacular views. This site and its village have been a serious tourist trap for a full century.

The hill is practically covered with cafés, shops and steep narrow streets.

Young couples are usually absorbed in each other, in spite of being seen by hundreds.

Le mur des je t'aime (The Wall of Love; "I love you" in 311 languages)

As you descend to the SE, you might be lucky enough to encounter some truly amazing musicians.

Cell phones are ubiquitous with the locals European tourists, and are becoming increasingly common with North American tourists (frequency bands differ).

Whenever possible, I stop to look at a church. If nothing else, its sanctuary will offer quiet solitude.

The City of Chantilly, France

2011-10-15T18:25:00.001-07:00

Chantilly is too often known only for its incomparable castle, the castle's magnificent library and art collection. I had visited all of that previously, so this time we devoted a late afternoon and early evening to wandering the streets, following the canal and river, and checking out the impressive race track for horses. All of this was done after the castle grounds were closed and the bus loads of tourists wearily departed for the evening. The sole main street (leading to the castle) became still. Restaurants slowly awakened, frequented that evening primarily with locals, and meandering became a restful pleasure.

Église Saint-Suplice, Paris

2011-10-10T17:23:00.002-07:00

Nestled back in the VIe arrondissement is the magnificent Baroque church dedicated to Saint Sulpitius. Construction continued off and on for a century and a half, and extensive repairs are presently underway, both inside and out. The double row of Ionic columns frankly seem out of place and were the last to be added. I visited this church, arriving for the final 15 minutes of the worship service. There were no seats to be had, even though hundreds had been put in place. Priests mingled with the faithful afterward, families were well-dressed, and the organist's improvising was not to be missed.

Let's begin by walking through the columns in the Ionic style as we approach the front door.

Typically, an additional doorway is added in order to keep the interior of the church at a more comfortable temperature. Some of these later additions are modest; this one had interesting stained glass windows.

The faithful arriving late had to stand for the service at the far back because the nave was filled to capacity.

I enjoyed watching people leave.

As noon became afternoon, individuals came (from work?) to light a candle and reflect.

This is the vaulted ceiling of the nave, with the massive organ at the west end.

This is the vaulted ceiling at the crossing.

City of Beauvais in the evening

2011-10-09T22:11:00.001-07:00

We arrived in Beauvais early evening. After settling in our hotel, I took some photos while meandering on various of the now-quiet streets, looking for "the" restaurant end of a celebratory day. The full moon was an added bonus after a fantastic meal in a very crowded establishment.

Cheryl in Recital Hall, Vancouver

2011-10-08T16:44:00.002-07:00

These photos were taken at UBC while Cheryl was warming up for her lecture-concert on the most recent piano music by Carter.

La Cathédrale de Beauvais (revisited)

2011-10-06T11:06:00.002-07:00

As I noted in a posting two years ago (La Cathéderale de Beauvais), the Beauvais Cathedral (Cathédrale St-Pierre de Beauvais) is both magnificent and unfinished. After a series of disastrous fires, the wooden structures of earlier versions started to give way to the present stone edifice in 1225. However, a deadly mixture of war and political disputes with central government dried up funding for this ambitious undertaking. Subsequent efforts to finish the cathedral, at least enough of it to be useful, resulted in the present areas known as the choir, the apse and its chapels, and the transept. Since work on the nave never commenced, you now enter the cathedral primarily through doors which take you directly into the transept.

Located in the North of France, the Cathedral of Beauvais could boast of having vaulted ceilings which, at the time, were higher than those of any Gothic structure in the land (42m). The choir was finally completed in 1272, but part of its ceiling collapsed in 1284 and had to be rebuilt. The transept was completed in 1548, but its enormous tower collapsed in 1573. Builders were realizing that these ambitious heights were taking Gothic architectural designs and techniques to their very limits, and beyond. Nevertheless, even today, the choir with its tremendous columns, vaulted ceiling and stained glass windows can only inspire admiration and engender contemplation and meditation.

Our 2011 visit began at the new terminal at the Beauvais airport. Their tourism office had selected one of my earlier photos of the cathedral's apse for inclusion in a collage highlighting the area's attractions for incoming tourists. We decided to see the enlarged photo and then spent our 46th in Beauvais and Chantilly.

On this return visit, I noticed that the maintenance and repairs had progressed nicely (but must be unbelievably expensive), and the sturdy wooden buttresses were still successfully holding several of the transept's enormous columns.

The marble floor before the altar continues to intrigue me. You are not allowed to walk on it, but you can still enjoy the play of light over the highly polished surfaces.

We are standing in the transept facing the southern door.

Pont de Bir-Hakeim, Paris

2011-09-19T17:58:00.002-07:00

The steel bridge, Pont de Bir-Hakeim, crosses the River Seine, connecting the 15th and 16th arrondissements. A competition was held in about 1902 for designs for a bridge which was to accommodate the anticipated crowds of tourists for the World Fair. The bridge was to have two levels, the lower designed for pedestrians (with views of the Eiffel Tower) and vehicles (at that time horse-drawn carriages), and the upper for the Métro Line 6. In 1948 the bridge's name was changed from Pont de Passy to Pont de Bir-Hakeim, commemorating the Battle of Bir Hakeim in which French soldiers fought Germans in 1942.

The first photo shows the eastern end of the bridge, over land. At this point, only the train tracks are elevated. Vehicles and pedestrians are at street level and can enter the bridge on our left.

On the western end of the bridge, both levels are elevated.

The pedestrian walkways are in the centre of the bridge and on the two sides. The stone and cement pillars tell us that this section of the bridge is built on the Isle de Cygnes (Isle of Swans), an island which briefly emerges from the River Seine.

The decorative lights recall earlier times,

but do not always work . . . .

Youth enjoy rapid a more crossing on the flat bridge.

But there are brief times when the bridge is very peaceful, no trains, no traffic, few pedestrians.

The River Seine has been an important trade route for centuries, even granting rapid access to visiting Vikings. Now you often see house boats lining the banks and sightseeing boats making their incessant rounds.

The fastest boats these days are those operated by the river police.

Looking north from the bridge, you can see the Eiffel Tower (cut off in this panoramic view).

The next photo looks south from the bridge.

One couple seems to have been on their honeymoon in Paris and wanted their photos taken with the Eiffel Tower as backdrop.

Now we are looking toward the western end of the bridge. Majestic 19th-century condos with wonderful views now have the métro going right past living room and bedroom windows, hardly what the architects and original owners envisioned.

As we leave the pedestrian and vehicle level of the bridge, the cars can turn to join the very busy road which runs along the river, and pedestrians can take a steel bridge across that road.

We are on the bridge level, looking down at traffic, and straight across at the hill in front of us. You can just see the 70 some steps that lead up to the métro level and beyond.

I'm still wondering how lads managed to write graffiti at this level.

Smart car and cigarette . . . .

This shows the métro station (Line 6), stopping right at the level of someone's apartment.

The day was heavily overcast, the bridge's colour is subdued, and elevated trains never seem to enhance life at street level, but the bridge works beautifully and is certainly worth a visit. I hope to return to see it at night.

Vancouver Cantata Singers ready for 2011-12 season

2011-09-03T18:12:00.001-07:00

During a photo shoot for the choir's publicity pictures for the coming season, I managed to take a few shots on the side.

Aerosolegrafia and Graffiti in Vancouver

2011-08-15T19:57:00.002-07:00

I recently revisited three favourite sites for graffiti in downtown Vancouver. Each continues to change with the passing of the months. 2010 was a disastre for graffiti aficionados because the city forced everybody to repaint interesting alleyways back into dull uniform alleyway colours. But some artistic life is slowly returning, and a few new murals have appeared. In every case, artists are unknown to me by name, and I use only macrophotography, which admittedly never includes an entire work of art.

First, a shot of a young lady on break, texting (what else) on a ledge in one of the repainted alleys. It is stark.

On to the beautiful art found elsewhere . . . .

More Junk (viewed as art)

2011-08-04T22:35:00.000-07:00

Another trip to the junk yards, where two welcomed us as photographers. I was surprised by how busy these places are, how superbly organized, how neat, and how efficient they manage to be. We were finally asked to leave one yard when more trucks wanted to enter and a crane was busily engaged, but we got a few interesting shots on that bright sunny day, the kind that makes rust just glow.

When shooting this, I was thinking of an anvil from Germanic mythology, so I put the blue background out of focus.

These recalled Poe's story of a pendulum swinging ever closer to the victim.

These plates reminded me of the sand dunes at Lake Michigan.

I tried to crop these rusted plates (in camera) to recall a vase from ancient Greece.

Medieval knight's chain mail.

Edges of metal intrigue me.

These punched metal coils are cropped to look like rolls of movie film.

Junk as art

2011-07-29T15:18:00.002-07:00

Several days ago we were very kindly allowed to photograph in a scrap metal yard in Vancouver shortly before they closed for the day. This brief shoot let us see that this type of photography offers new challenges.

July garden flowers in Vancouver

2011-07-10T20:57:00.003-07:00

One of these days, we may actually have summer in Vancouver, who knows. For now, there are some lovely flowers in the garden. First, a few of the thousands of flowers in Janice's back patio (taken in the evening light).

Creeping thyme growing in the sandy 'cracks' between the flag stones in the back patio. Bees love it. Believe it or not, Janice actually cut it back this spring. Stepping on it produces a sweet scent.

Poppy

Foxglove, possibly native to this area.

Poppy leaves back-lit by evening sun.

Climbing hydrangea (planted to cover a neighbour's old garage)


Peruvian lilies, practically a weed; mind you, a very beautiful weed.

Next, some photos of flowers from the front garden (taken in morning light).


California poppies, candy tufts and golden tip marjoram (edible)


Floxgloves and poppies

Three kinds of poppies, candy tufts

Red and pink poppies and foxgloves

Portland's NE Alberta Street at dusk on July 4th

2011-07-09T20:36:00.003-07:00

We visited Portland over July 4th and enjoyed walking leisurely along Portland's recovering NE Alberta Street. The old store fronts are being reclaimed by artists, artisans and cafés. Our stroll commenced at 9:02 p.m. and concluded by 10:10. The shops were mostly deserted that Monday evening, but many windows were illuminated. The streets were essentially deserted, though some boys were still stocking up on fireworks. And the fireworks were increasingly in evidence, initially mostly by sound, and then by sight. I could not believe that the city would tolerate fireworks exploding at such low levels, and indeed, a restaurant burned down later that evening. But there was nevertheless a very real sense of celebration in the warm evening air that cloudless evening. It was a slice of Americana. (Of course the major fireworks were down by the river--apparently spectacular, but I prefer the real ones on side streets.)

Some families pooled resources for firework displays for their small children well before bedtime.

Graffiti and spray painting look different at dusk.

Pure Americana--form, function and colours.

How can a photographer, married to a librarian, possibly forgo this?

One of three places that was open.

Business was brisk.

Champs Élysée it ain't.

Now you know where we are.

Jay walking was an option. Taking time exposures while standing in the middle of the road was also an option.

Do guitars actually make music?

Universities without students are wonderful in August; closed restaurants are sad.

Car coming (possibly).

It's everywhere, by now I hear it's even in Japan.

No helmets? In Vancouver they are mandatory.

Fun.

Luncheon at Bishop's Restaurant, Vancouver

2011-06-30T11:52:00.009-07:00

Our little Wine Club has been meeting for an annual luncheon at John Bishop's splendid restaurant since it opened several decades ago. Unfortunately, John could not be with us because he was with a group of distinguished chefs on a cooking venture away from Vancouver.

This year's "Bishop's Luncheon" focused on three Chateau Palmer wines (1976, 1977, 1978) generously supplied by one of our members.

The lower room awaited the evening's patrons.

Abel consults with his staff before Le Club arrives

Going over wine notes.

Abel (Maitre D') has been at Bishop's for 12 years and is a master when it comes to explaining and selecting wines. Thirty-five-year-old corks can be a challenge to anyone, but Abel lavished care on the extractions and succeeded marvelously, even though each was a challenge.

We began with Champagne Baron-Fuenté which set the tone for the afternoon.

Le Club, anticipating the feast to come. We have been meeting irregularly for about 30 years.

We are in the final week of the Spotted Shrimp season, so these were a seasonal treat, accompanied by a 2002 Chapoutier Coindrieu.

Potato gnocchi with Proscuitto Bianco, arugula, crisp rind, and preserved lemon browned butter, accompanied by a 1987 Laroche Chablis 1er Cru.

Time to get serious, time for some reds. Abel displayed them beautifully.

Ravioli of Boudin Noir and qualis' egg, nasturtium greens, morel mushrooms, apple and sweet cicely pod vinaigrette. At this point in the meal, all three Chateau Palmers were served.

Yarrow Meadows duck breast, potato 'torta', baby leek, rhubarb and bay leaf glaze. To my chagrin, I now realize that I neglected to photograph the next course, a fascinating selection of Farm House cheeses from Agassiz in the upper Fraser Valley. They went well with the three reds, which continued to hold their own, in spite of being open over a period of hours.

We discussed the wines, but also life, culture, politics, travel, hockey, children, aging, exercise, etc.

The quality of the food cannot be surpassed.

True to form, for decades our senior member has managed to save a bit of each wine throughout the entire meal, comparing each glass with each course. Younger members are not so patient.

Almond and apricot meringue cake, almond macaron, and elderflower sorbet (unbelievably good), all accompanied by a 1978 Chateau de Suronde Quarts de Chaume.

Café, comme d'habitude.

Abel and Andrea (Executive Chef at Bishops) discuss the wines and dishes with us. Her guiding talents and instincts are unfailingly 'right', and her kitchen produces some of the finest cuisine in Vancouver.

Special thanks to John for all the luncheons over the decades, and to Abel and Andrea for coming in just for us.