This piece, “Henry II Atonal Torment” takes its initial inspiration from a reaching suggestion of a possible blues within the foreboding atonal Gregorian chant film score the late great film composer John Barry created for the movie “The Lion in Winter”, starring Peter O’Toole. At least to my ear I ‘heard’ something that I always wanted to investigate. But it wasn’t until I began making some short video pieces that this additional video concept arose: why not take one of the most dramatic scenes from the original film and have it not be about Henry’s frustration and disappointment about his children but rather his frustration and disappointment not to have more melody in his life.
From the beginning of my shooting these videos in 2018 my dear friend and Subud brother Lauren, master extraordinaire here in Los Angeles has been editing the pieces and putting them up online. But for this piece in particular I had the welcome contribution of Adam DeBenedittis, another dear friend and brother, photographer, videographer, actor working behind the camera. With the creation of the candle-lit ambience and the Gregorian chant leaf displayed in the background as setting, Adam lit and shot the scene. And in post Lauren added my pre-recorded music.
Michael Cooke is a long-time “battler with the forces” Subud brother in Los Angeles, having hailed originally from New York. He is an actor, a clam-jumbled jazz piano player who at times lets chirp from his pipes an occasional warble. He is an erratic scribbler and sustains the all view regard of this wheel we all walk upon by wholly ascribing to Nietzche’s precept, “We have to regain the seriousness we had as a child at play.” As of this writing, he has produced since 2018 over thirty video pieces 2 to 4 minutes in length: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTh6cX8r7sBoEq1fqR67m6Q/videos
Fantastic! Hilarious. Thank you, Michael.
Fantastic! Just the tonic for these crazy days. Thank you.
Amazing, addicting. I’ve seen some of those movies and wish I could see the rest. When will they be released ? Never knew it was possible to have so many folks jammed into one body. Gives meaning to “the inner force that resides within”
Thank you, Michael, for most convincing performance, reminiscent of Sir Olivier’s remark about playing King Lear. And, for mentioning Nietzche’s precept which, I figure, is also imbued in 1952 SBD poem, on experiencing one’s true work.
Thanks, Michael. Great! The “Ahmad, The Beautiful, Jamal” reference brings back memories of our Segerstrom experience. Am sharing this with Ruth Z, who will definitely be as impressed as I was.
Mozart said that the essence of music is melody. The essence of jazz could be Monk, who by no means relinquished melody. Bonapart’s favorite love song: “My Funny Wellington.”
Great. So well done. Love your work and how it is evolving.Can’t imagine what you’ll come up with next!
Add it my comment above. Your journey is uplifiting and intriguing. Thank you for sharing. it. Love from Hamilton
Dudley Moore was a very good jazz pianist. Mind you, ‘im ‘n Peter Cook were sometimes uproariously funny.