Stichwörter (Keywords):
- Details
- Category: German culture and food
Not everyone knows that I'm also a professional mezzo-soprano and of course (natürlich!) some of my favorite music to sing is that of Johann Sebastian Bach. In Germany I cut my young professional teeth on works like the St. Matthew Passion (die Matthäus-Passion) singing in the Gächinger Kantorei with the Bachakademie Stuttgart.
This piece in particular holds a special place in my heart, because firstly, it's a masterpiece. Secondly, because I learned the whole choral part in about three days in intensive rehearsals (I definitely don't recommend learning it that fast, but man the tour in Italy which followed was incredible). And thirdly, because I got to sing it with the German conductor Helmut Rilling, who died earlier this year. Singing with Helmuth was a peak life experience, because with him everything came alive. The music, the text, the collaboration with the other musicians.
Personally, I don't think it matters if you're religious or only somewhat religious or not religious at all, the human elements of the Passion of Christ (the days leading up to and his crucifixion) are deeply moving and Bach has created an incredible experience for the musicians and the listeners. You witness public humiliation, beating, the love and care of those around him in the text and in the music itself. Combined, the text and the music are unforgettable.
I sang half the alto solos for the St. Matthew Passion in July and now you can read the text and listen to it in its entirety here.
- Hits: 1
- Details
- Category: German culture and food
Before there were German supermodels and the first woman Chancellor of Germany, there was Hildegard von Bingen: a nun, magistra, herbalist, writer, composer, singer, and more. And when Danaé Ashley set off on the Hildegard Pilgrimage in Germany, it altered the course of her life. Lucky for us, that course in her life has led to Danae's new book "My Sap is Rising," where Danae weaves together knowledge of healing with Hildegard of Bingen and Alfred Adler.
Danaé and I sat down to record a video on this book and we dove deep into this topic, the context of German culture in medieval times, and of course Kräutertee (herbal tea) and Apfelschorle (apple juice spritzer).
- Hits: 124
- Details
- Category: German culture and food
Before there were German supermodels and the first woman Chancellor of Germany, there was Hildegard von Bingen. Hildegard was what the Germans now call das Multitalent, someone with multiple talents; she was a nun, magistra (meaning she ran the convent), herbalist, writer, composer, singer, and the list goes on and on.
in front of Eibingen Abbey.
Photo by Danae Ashley.
Many musicians had known about Hildegard von Bingen's music even 25 years ago, however that was still fairly obscure information. In 2008 I (Frau Warner) went to Bingen to visit the State Garden Show (Landesgartenschau (Rheinland-Pfalz) Bingen 2008), and was mightily impressed with the gardens, the flowers, and how often Hildegard von Bingen was represented there. It helped that the weather was stunningly beautiful and the Rhine flows past directly next to the grounds. Since then Hildegard has continued to crop up in my life--an article here, a mention there, a musical piece on the radio on WPR, etc.
A couple of years ago friend and client, the Rev. Danae Ashley, a Multitalent herself, took the Hildegard Pilgrimage in Germany, which opened up a whole new avenue in her life. Danae then began learning German because she was going to give a presentation on Hildegard von Bingen in Germany, and she has even now written a book on Hildegard von Bingen and Alfred Adler. Ausgezeichnet! The book will be available as of March 19, 2026! So this is the perfect time to bring information on Hildegard to all of you reading this post.
Viel Spaß!
- Hits: 246
- Details
- Category: Listening to German
You get a mind-opening podcast called The Hansel and Gretel Code, by Curtis Cates, MD.
(However as usual, there are no swear words in this post.)
During the dark days during the Plague of 2020, a guy contacted me about another podcast I had been on, and then he started a podcast. It was the story of Hansel and Gretel through the lens of Jungian Psychoanalysis. Carl Jung was a Swiss Psychologist who gave us Jungian Psychoanalysis. (He's like Freud's healthy cousin, 'cuz Freud had some ISSUES.) Jungian Psychoanalysis is fascinating and when you take a fresh look at the context of Hansel & Gretel, with alllll the additional context, quotes, and information provided by Cates, you get a fresh take on all of it.
Fairy tales are fodder for the spirit, and this is no exception.
- Hits: 733
- Details
- Category: German grammar
"Why is this word der?!"
"How am I supposed to remember that that word is die?! There is nothing feminine about a coffee cup (die Tasse) and nothing masculine about a table (der Tisch)!"
"Gah! I'll never get this right! Why does German have three articles for the word the?!?!"
Yes, I know, remember I've learned all of this, and I've been there and I feel your pain!! Learning der-die-das is really important in the beginning of learning German, and it only becomes even more important later on when you learn the Akkusative and the Dative.
In the video which follows you will learn the concept of why it is that der-die-das is so darn important in German! It's the first video in the new video lesson How to learn der-die-das without losing your mind!
- Hits: 897
