![]() ![]() In the cover notes, Gjeilo writes that “Northern Lights” is about beauty – a “terrible”, powerful beauty, although the music is quite serene on the surface. Sweet and beautiful daughter of Jerusalem, Suavis et decora filia Jerusalem, Pulchra es amica mea, The text is in Latin, taken from the Song of Solomon: Pulchra es amica mea, Other groups at our hotel had been travelling to Lapland for years in the hope of seeing the Lights, but never had.Ī couple of months ago at a Manchester Chorale rehearsal, “Northern Lights” was given out. We had gone for the snow, but were treated to the Aurora Borealis. ![]() We had to be fully present to witness the wonder. It happened again the next night, and the night after that. Flames of pink, green and white danced across the sky for over 40 minutes in an overwhelming Heavenly pyrotechnic display. When word spread around the hotel that the Lights were displaying, we wrapped up and headed out. The days were clear but bitterly cold – the “warmest” was -28’C! The nights were clear and colder, to the extent that our eyelashes froze. Instead there is an eery golden glow that migrates from the east to the west during the very short day. We were there during the winter solstice, during which the sun never rises above the horizon. I was in Saariselka, Lapland, deep inside the Arctic Circle on a ski trip with a large group from Ski Rossendale. In January 2017 I had the enormous good fortune to witness the Northern Lights not just once, but on three consecutive nights. However, due to a misunderstanding it missed the deadline. ![]() This article was intended for publication in the August 2018 issue of our parish magazine. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |