Good Friday's Song of the Day: Oliver Schroer- "The Tears of Mary"
An appropriately titled, and moving song for this Good Friday. A lonely and lifting violin recorded by the Canadian violinist Oliver Schroer during his 2004 pilgrim's journey along the 1,00 year old Camino de Santiago, or Way of St. James, through Spain and France.
Schroer's describes his own journey along The Way...
In my backpack, I carried my violin like a wooden chalice, like my own precious relic, carefully packed in its reliquary of socks and underwear and waiting to work a miracle.
My pack also contained a portable recording studio. When I found a church or cathedral that was acoustically enticing...and open... I played my violin and recorded in these spaces. I played some of my older fractal and spiritual pieces. I improvised a lot. Walking for weeks, new pieces came to me – one hill, one valley at a time. In two months, I played and recorded in twenty-five different churches.
The recording of "Tears of Mary" took place at one of those churches...
One evening at dusk in a place called Navarrenx, I went to play my violin in the large and beautiful church there. The main light in the church came from the many candles that illuminated an altar for Mary. I was drawn to it and played this song for her.
The collection of recordings became Schroer's Camino album.
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Comments :
Aug '10
Re: Good Friday's Song of the Day: Oliver Schroer- "The Tears of Mary"
Beautiful and perfect.
Feb '11
Re: Good Friday's Song of the Day: Oliver Schroer- "The Tears of Mary"
Ditto
Jun '10
Re: Good Friday's Song of the Day: Oliver Schroer- "The Tears of Mary"
Yes, very uplifting. Thanks, Lance. I would love to do this pilgrimage some day.
(I think it's 1100 km -- not miles ?? not sure)
Nov '10
Re: Good Friday's Song of the Day: Oliver Schroer- "The Tears of Mary"
Larry Koler: Yes, very uplifting. Thanks, Lance. I would love to do this pilgrimage some day.
(I think it's 1100 km -- not miles ?? not sure) · Apr 22 at 7:42am
My pleasure. I think I might like to do so as well. Regarding the length, you are probably right. I am trying to find that number again. In the meantime, here is another interesting number...its over 1,000 years old.
It seems there is a more appropriate way to discuss its length though...
Question: How Long Does the Camino de Santiago Take?
Answer: Considering the number of Camino de Santiago routes, and the fact that many people don't do an entire route, the question "How long does the Camino de Santiago take?" is like asking "How long is a piece of string?"
However, if you plan on doing the whole of the Camino Frances, from St Jean Pied de Port in France to Santiago de Compostela, the walk should take you about 30 to 35 days.
To achieve this time, you would need to walk between 23 and 27 kilometers per day.
Aug '10
Re: Good Friday's Song of the Day: Oliver Schroer- "The Tears of Mary"
Good one Lance ! About five notes in, I was already at the iTunes store.
uhh ....what's your password ?
Thanks though, really.
Apr '11
Re: Good Friday's Song of the Day: Oliver Schroer- "The Tears of Mary"
I love music, great tip! I love the album, beautiful!
Edited on Apr 22, 2011 at 11:09amNov '10
Re: Good Friday's Song of the Day: Oliver Schroer- "The Tears of Mary"
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Sep '10
Re: Good Friday's Song of the Day: Oliver Schroer- "The Tears of Mary"
I recently went to several talks from Father Dave Pivonka who has written a book about his journey on the Camino. You can see it here. I must admit that I have not read it yet, but I can say that he was one of the most interesting speakers I have heard in a long time.
He went on at length discussing how every pilgrim must make tough choices about what to take with them on the Camino. I can hardly imagine taking recording equipment which I imagine is not very light.