Henryk Gorecki - Words Are Not Necessary

Gorecki's Symphony of Sorrowful Songs is one of the most hauntingly beautiful pieces of music that I have ever heard. I always seem to gravitate to the second of the three movements but the entire symphony is gorgeous. Instantly, I am transported to a place of pain and longing and I find it impossible to listen to this without crying. Gorecki has brilliantly written empathetically. When I heard this, I wondered immediately what the soprano was singing about as it is written in German. My gut reaction was that there was some sort of trauma because of the angst in the melody. I love when music requires no explanation to be understood. However, it was not at all surprising to discover that this movement was based on a inscription found on the wall of a Gestapo's prison cell written by an 18 year old female prisoner.

I believe the below video explains it all. The German has been translated for you. It is powerfully eerie. You may find it difficult to watch and if so, listen with your eyes closed. I am reminded how grateful I am for my life and opportunities.

Sorry Mr. Gorecki for not getting the accent over the "o" of your name. Not sure how to do that with the keyboard. I mean no disrespect.

Holly Sedgwick - Curtain of Denial

Holly is a Canadian born artist who spent a greater part of her life in the USA and now shares her time between Canada and the U.S. Holly is an artistic genius who blossomed at a very early age showing a tremendous gift for dance as well as choreography. I guess you could say that Holly's personal artistic endeavors were put on a hiatus as she spent a huge part of her life raising the most beautiful children but that would not be entirely true. In fact, her artistic passion has been clearly channeled, nurtured and encouraged through her children. Now that they themselves are venturing off into the world with much success and courage, she has had more time to focus on her own creative passions. In a short span of time, Holly has produced a prodigious amount of work. She has produced a CD, has a second one in the works, written poetry, her memoirs, children's books and has completed well over a hundred paintings.

I wanted to highlight one of her paintings specifically today called " Curtain of Denial." I guess this one resonates with me so strongly because of my own current path. I have reached that point in my life where I just want to be my most authentic self. I have come to know that everyone has a story, has darkness, maybe a trauma of some sort from their past but clinging to that simply keeps you stagnate. When we release the demons, anything is possible.

Thanks Holly for this beautiful painting. Thank you for everything you do. You are an amazing woman and I am proud to call you my friend.

To see more of Holly's work please visit: www.hollyart.me