An accordionist's blog on music, art & life - Fanfares & Reveries

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Divine Architecture and Heavenly Light - Part Five

7/28/2014

Interior of Cathedral at Gibraltar

The interior of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity at Gibraltar, a light-filled space featuring fabulous color, beautiful windows and soaring arches.

Visiting the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity at Gibraltar

I spent some quiet time admiring the architecture of this very beautiful Cathedral in August of 2001. No one else was there except a few members of the Clergy. As streams of brilliant light poured in through the remarkably shaped windows, my eyes traced the open forms of the arches high above and fell upon the manifold decorative accents located throughout the building. This particular photograph gives another view of the ornate pipe organ just above the entrance to the Cathedral, showcasing some of the magnificent detail and rich hues of the casework and pipes. The colors and shapes are magnified by rows of flags which accent the sides of the main sanctuary. One notices the memorable effects of light and shadow in a space such as this, with the high ceiling providing a natural reflection towards Heaven and an attendant call to prayer.

Divine Architecture and Heavenly Light - Part Four

7/26/2014

Interior of Cathedral at Gibraltar

An interior view of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity at Gibraltar. Looking toward the entrance, with the pipe organ installed above.

Visiting the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity at Gibraltar

The pipe organ sits above the entrance to the Cathedral and provides a very decorative counterpoint to the magnificent walls and stately white columns. The organ case is comprised of dark wood fitted with colorful organ pipes painted in blue, turquoise and gold hues, adding immensely to the exotic charm of the interior. High above are soaring arches which catch the eye and blend smooth forms with the light-filled atmosphere provided by the large windows. There are neat blends of colors from ivory, pure white, light gray, cream and gold interwoven with the dark wood benches and a noble array of colorful flags and festive banners along the sides of the main sanctuary. I spent some time here admiring the beauty and serenity of this lovely Cathedral, thinking about the history of Gibraltar and beginning to fathom the longevity of both this building and King's Chapel just a short distance away. It was a supremely quiet day, filled with marvelous introspection and grand respect for local custom and culture.

Divine Architecture and Heavenly Light - Part Three

7/24/2014

Photo of Cathedral interior.

The beautiful windows and soaring arches at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity at Gibraltar. Even the pipe organ is neatly decorated with splendid colors and grand details.

A Visit to the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity at Gibraltar

In August of 2001 I visited Gibraltar and managed to spend some time at both King's Chapel and the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. The official title of the cathedral is "The Cathedral for the Church of England Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe." This magnificent structure displays the prominent influence of Moorish revival architecture, exhibiting "horseshoe arches," splendid decorative elements and very beautiful columns. Originally, King's Chapel was set aside primarily for use by the military, so it was thought prudent to erect a new house of worship for the civilian sector of the local population. Work began on the cathedral in 1825, reaching completion in 1832, with the building consecrated in 1838 and assigned cathedral status in 1842. The building sustained significant damage in April 1951 when the RFA Bedenham accidentally exploded in Gibraltar harbor. The RFA Bedenham was a Naval armament carrier which was offloading depth charges to a smaller craft when one of the depth charges ignited, causing a fire which spread and caused a violent explosion. Both King's Chapel and the Cathedral have been restored and are today in an excellent state of preservation.

Divine Architecture and Heavenly Light - Part Two

7/18/2014

Interior of King's Chapel at Gibraltar

Another view of King's Chapel in Gibraltar, showing one of the magnificent stained glass windows and some of the interior furnishings and noteworthy architecture.

A Visit to King's Chapel at Gibraltar, August 2001

I spent 30 to 45 minutes in the splendor of King's Chapel, admiring the spectacular architecture and observing all of the marvelously decorative elements in this very beautiful place of worship. One can almost feel the pulse of history which courses through these glorious surroundings, as if in one moment one may envision the many years of service provided in this remarkable space. As the building was badly damaged during the Great Siege of Gibraltar from 1779 to 1783, it is a wonder that these walls and ceilings have not only survived but also been the dedicated object of considerable renewal, preservation and restoration. During my visit here I was not disturbed by anyone and spent the entire time in quiet repose and methodical thought, glad of my opportunity to see this Chapel in person and to glean its importance in the history of Gibraltar, its people and its cultural surroundings.

Divine Architecture and Heavenly Light

7/16/2014

Interior of King's Chapel

The interior of King's Chapel at Gibraltar, a light-filled space featuring extremely beautiful ornamentation and lovely architectural elements.

A Visit to King's Chapel at Gibraltar, August 2001

In my last post I mentioned visiting King's Chapel and the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity at Gibraltar in August of 2001. Here is another journal entry dated Friday, 31 August, written while I was living and working in Algeciras, Spain with an international team. "The windows and ceilings were bathed in light at the Chapel and the Cathedral. Both had interestingly designed pipe organs. I prayed at the Chapel. At both Churches I was the only one there. Time for reflection and encouragement!"

History of King's Chapel
The Chapel adjoins the Governor of Gibraltar's residence, The Convent. Originally the building was part of a Franciscan friary, with the Chapel built in the 1530's. The Chapel was given to the Church of England by the British after the capture of Gibraltar in 1704. Military memorials and heraldic flags adorn the interior, with many memorials dedicated to members of the British Armed Forces. There are also tombs and memorials to past governors and their wives. The building was badly damaged during the Great Siege of Gibraltar (1779-83), and also damaged more recently in April, 1951 by an accidental explosion of a ship in Gibraltar harbor. Extensive restoration has been made with new stained glass windows installed in 1952 and repairs to the remarkably decorative ceilings and walls. The Chapel is used by the Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force and is open to the public for services and visitation.

A Fascinating Connection with Lord Cardigan
In his 1953 book entitled "The Reason Why," author Cecil Woodham-Smith relates an interesting bit of history regarding Lord Cardigan, Major-General James Thomas Brudenell (1797-1868), 7th Earl of Cardigan, KCB. This officer led the Charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava in October of 1854, during the Crimean War. Lord Cardigan commanded the Light Cavalry Brigade, under the direction of Commander-in-Chief General Lord Raglan and Cavalry Commander Lt-General Lord Lucan. Woodham-Smith writes that Lord Cardigan's second marriage took place at the Chapel when he married Miss Adeline de Horsey, relating that "...in the course of a cruise in Lord Cardigan's magnificent yacht the marriage took place in September, 1858, at the Military Chapel, Gibraltar; Mr. de Burgh was a witness." Further historical information on Lord Cardigan and the Light Brigade can be obtained through consulting Mark Adkin's book entitled "The Charge: The Real Reason Why the Light Brigade Was Lost" published in 1996, and Terry Brighton's book entitled "Hell Riders: The Truth about the Charge of the Light Brigade" published in 2004, containing many first-person accounts.

Scenic Vistas at the Rock of Gibraltar

7/15/2014

Rock of Gibraltar

Taking in the sights at a high elevation along the Rock of Gibraltar.

Journal Entry: Friday, 31 August, 2001 Algeciras, Spain

"We went yesterday to Gibraltar on an Operation Transit sponsored tour (Mediterranean Crossing). It was picturesque, with vivid surveys of the spectacular vistas from the high promontories of the Rock. I enjoyed my companions, Debbie, Christy, Carol, Amy and Leslie. Our friends from Costa Rica (Carlos, Junio and Karla) couldn't go because they had forgotten their passports. I like the military flavor of Gibraltar. One of the rock monkeys climbed up on me and sat on my head! I had a most peaceful opportunity to visit King's Chapel and Holy Trinity Cathedral. Such divine architecture and heavenly light!"

Exploring the Atmosphere at Gibraltar
There are spacious open-air markets and restaurants as you first enter into the commercial district. The original military barracks have been converted into retail space, galleries, gift shops and museums. One can watch glass being blown into thousands of shapes at a glass-works factory just off the main market square. The streets lead into narrow alleyways which still afford occasional glimpses of the sea which lies beyond the densely populated areas. I asked our tour guide, Charlie, what the current population might be (in 2001). He thought about 30,000. The landing strip at the airport is fairly short and tourists must walk across the runway in order to visit the commercial district. The British officials at the entrance gate are very efficient and courteous at processing and checking passports and handling typical tourist questions.

Breathtaking Sights and a Vivid Sense of History
Altogether I enjoyed immensely my time spent here, seeking some out-of-the-way places and gaining an appreciation for the culture of this fascinating place. You can spend hours or even days exploring the many faceted features and pleasures of Gibraltar, gaining special insights from the local population and from those who work here. It is upon the heights that I most fondly remember the views which can take one's breath away. As you look out upon the vast blue waters along the far horizon, it is easy to imagine the historical significance of this geological location on the world's map. It is the Rock which, after all these many Centuries, still stands!

Colors of the Desert

2/3/2014

There are windswept days in the Arizona Desert where seemingly every color of the spectrum may be examined upon close inspection. This particular area is just north of McKellips Road and Crismon Road in East Mesa, an area where Usery Mountain Regional Park stands adjacent to Tonto National Forest. After a period of seasonal rain, it is amazing to see how green this area becomes, bursting with lime-green, yellow-green, emerald green and dozens of other varieties of spectacular hues. When the desert is dry, one notices the rust-colors, the tans, the yellow ochres, the bleached greys, faded green hues and ashen rocks. The wildlife also exhibits great variety of color, from flashy iridescent hummingbirds to motley colored songbirds and rustic desert quail. Once I visited a Park nearby and witnessed Harris hawks sailing high overhead, looking like noble black falcons on a cerulean blue sky. I am reminded of a phrase coined by American artist Wolf Kahn, a gifted painter and fantastic landscape artist. Kahn once told a group of Drew University art students that he was intrigued by "the tangles of nature," those outdoor spectacles we notice when we truly study and observe the natural environment which surrounds us. The Arizona Desert is indeed such an environment, filled with tangles and colorful spectacles stretching from the desert floor all the way to the blue-grey, purple and lavender mountain peaks.

Mountain Landscapes - Panoramas of Dramatic Light

1/30/2014

I love the contrasts between light & shadow upon the desert mountains of Arizona. This area is known as Usery Mountain Regional Park, located just 20 minutes from my home in Mesa. The Park encompasses 3,648 acres and is situated at the western end of the Goldfield Mountains, adjacent to the Tonto National Forest. Pass Mountain rises to 2,840 feet and features a spectacular hiking trail which allows views of 70 or more miles into the distance beyond. The lower Sonoran Desert is a fascinating place offering a wealth of rich color and a diverse variety of flora & fauna. On a bright day with palatial clouds sailing overhead, you can absorb the pulse and atmosphere of this remarkable environment. As you take in the sweet birdsong and distant calls of wildlife, for just a moment you begin to absorb the manifold beauties of the wilderness preserve.

Caressed by Light, Bathed via Shadows

1/20/2014

I have stood here in the midst of the Arizona desert, feeling the power of the sun momentarily dispersed through the traveling court of clouds high overhead. In the quiet of pristine clarity, one comes closer to the ever evolving sounds of nature, hearing the sometimes muffled cries in the distance interwoven with the startling immediate presence & pulse of desert wildlife. The desert quail and other birds often respond to the sounds produced via the Audubon bird call, coming closer to inspect the source of the tweets, chirps and foreshortened birdsong. One feels the immense carpet of time-change sweep from early morning to late afternoon, noticing the colors of the day as they morph from brilliant hues to faded transparencies. These are the feathers of time, where the mountains, rocks and trees diligently mark the passage of years, decades, centuries and beyond. How great a privilege to see and hear this remarkable environment, a place of everlasting Light & Shadow.

Clouds As Flying Carpets Above the Desert Landscape

1/18/2014

There is a special majesty in watching palatial clouds silently sail above the Desert landscape of Arizona. I vividly recall Alexander Korda's 1940 fantasy film masterpiece "The Thief of Bagdad." When I view scenes such as the one included here, I am transported to another world, a place of enchantment foretold in "The Arabian Nights" stories. Antoine Galland popularized these spectacular tales in "The Thousand and One Nights" (1704), forever immortalizing names such as Sinbad, Aladdin & Ali Baba. Korda's film stars John Justin as Prince Ahmad, Conrad Veidt as Jaffar, June Duprez as the Princess, and Sabu as Abu. On a day when these splendid clouds sail high overhead, I reflect upon the stunning visual imagery captured by those magnificent flying carpet scenes. Through the art of wondrous special effects, I too fly high above the earth via a heightened sense of ebullient imagination.