| "St. Francis's Sermon to the Fish" | |
| I was reading a history of Germany when I came across mention of a painting by the Swiss symbolist painter Arnold Bocklin (1827-1901), who painted in a style not unlike modern fantasy art such as that by Frank Frazetta (think of a painting on the side of a '70s van). The name of the painting mentioned was "St. Francis's Sermon to the Fish." Sweet St. Francis preaching to the fish! Whatever did he say to them? That they would be saved? That there would be no hooks in Heaven? I read biographies of St. Francis at several web sites, and one said, "The fish were said to be very attentive." I was pleased by the concept, because my old girlfriend and I used to go up to the lake where we'd swim out to an island with a jar of peanut butter, which we'd spread on our toes and have bluegills come nibble at them. Call me Fishmeal. I became vexed that I was unable to find a photograph of this painting, so I did the next best thing -- I wrote the image in music. I figure I can't go wrong writing music to Bocklin's painting, because he also painted "Isle of the Dead" which was made into a stunning tone poem by Rachmaninov. Attention school music teachers! | |