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As MJ's resident Neoplatonist it was perhaps inevitable that I tackle the infamous fatal lynching of Hypatia (d. 415 CE).
I first encountered her story back in the early 1990s and was deeply impacted by it. She has become a heroine of mine.
Combining the beauty of Helen of Troy and the wisdom and piety of the lesser known Diotima (Plato, Symposium 201d-212b), Hypatia was a paragon of womanhood.
For any interested in reading about her beyond what can be found on Wikipedia, a recent and fairly solid scholarly source is:
Hypatia of Alexandria, by Maria Dzielska (Harvard University Press).
---I've personally researched the original source materials and do not fully embrace the author's conclusions; but it is still the best monograph in print.
This is an art/progressive rock song suite. the mid-section---consisting of three parts and featuring acoustic and electric guitars along with synthesized accordion, strings, cello, flute, and oboe---is a kind of musical summary of her story as I FEEL it.
I've never attempted anything quite like this before. Not entirely sure I pulled it off.
Thanks for listening!
I first encountered her story back in the early 1990s and was deeply impacted by it. She has become a heroine of mine.
Combining the beauty of Helen of Troy and the wisdom and piety of the lesser known Diotima (Plato, Symposium 201d-212b), Hypatia was a paragon of womanhood.
For any interested in reading about her beyond what can be found on Wikipedia, a recent and fairly solid scholarly source is:
Hypatia of Alexandria, by Maria Dzielska (Harvard University Press).
---I've personally researched the original source materials and do not fully embrace the author's conclusions; but it is still the best monograph in print.
This is an art/progressive rock song suite. the mid-section---consisting of three parts and featuring acoustic and electric guitars along with synthesized accordion, strings, cello, flute, and oboe---is a kind of musical summary of her story as I FEEL it.
I've never attempted anything quite like this before. Not entirely sure I pulled it off.
Thanks for listening!
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Lyrics
HYPATIA
1st Movement: The Teacher
I.
Long ago in Alexandria...
hub of knowledge in the ancient world;
chaste and beautiful;
brilliant as the Sun divine
was her mind.
II.
She taught mathematics and philosophy.
Her students came from far and wide.
I can see her in my mind's eye,
standing straight and proud,
and pointing to a higher beauty.
Chorus:
Hypatia!
You lit up the night.
The dignity of woman,
shining Oh so bright...
Hypatia!
You could not foresee,
your death at the hands of
the denizens
of envy.
2nd Movement: Reflections
A) In the Shadow of the Church
B) The Teacher and Her Students
C) In the Hands of the Righteous
3rd Movement: The Martyr
III.
Her teaching was so influential, but
her religion was suspect.
The guardians of superstition deemed her,
a force that must be checked.
IV.
They dragged you from your teaching post.
Stripped you naked in the street.
And for your beauty and intelligence,
reduced you to a bloody heap...
Chorus:
Hypatia!
Down ages dark and long;
somehow the memory lingers,
of how you suffered wrong.
Hypatia!
Your soul it did not die.
If you can hear me now
have pity,
on our ignorance...
1st Movement: The Teacher
I.
Long ago in Alexandria...
hub of knowledge in the ancient world;
chaste and beautiful;
brilliant as the Sun divine
was her mind.
II.
She taught mathematics and philosophy.
Her students came from far and wide.
I can see her in my mind's eye,
standing straight and proud,
and pointing to a higher beauty.
Chorus:
Hypatia!
You lit up the night.
The dignity of woman,
shining Oh so bright...
Hypatia!
You could not foresee,
your death at the hands of
the denizens
of envy.
2nd Movement: Reflections
A) In the Shadow of the Church
B) The Teacher and Her Students
C) In the Hands of the Righteous
3rd Movement: The Martyr
III.
Her teaching was so influential, but
her religion was suspect.
The guardians of superstition deemed her,
a force that must be checked.
IV.
They dragged you from your teaching post.
Stripped you naked in the street.
And for your beauty and intelligence,
reduced you to a bloody heap...
Chorus:
Hypatia!
Down ages dark and long;
somehow the memory lingers,
of how you suffered wrong.
Hypatia!
Your soul it did not die.
If you can hear me now
have pity,
on our ignorance...
Philip18
Interesting concept driving this. I like the changes (love the tones of the guitars at 3:50 then at 4:50). The vocal from 5:30 has plenty of emotion in it. Powerful section from 6:50 introduced by those forceful strings. Impressive perfromance, Michael!