The end of a year brings many reflections, as Father Time prepares to hand the reins of passage over to Baby New Year.
Still, I would like to think that some things are timeless.
This is the 200th anniversary of the first presentation of the song "Silent Night" to the world. On Christmas Eve around the world, that song will once again be sung; inspiring others with timeless hope, and deep emotion.
Last year, Jim O' Bryan and The Lakewood Observer, with the help of Lakewood Library, and my good friend Will Kosushko, helped me do a split screen video playing "Silent Night" on the musical saw, along with a very special guitar.
Remember the wonderful Christmas tale of the origins of that hymn? It began with the legend of those little mice that supposedly chewed up the bellows of a church organ in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria, exactly 200 years ago in 1818. (Actually, the organ was more likely damaged by flooding) A priest, Fr. Joseph Mohr, had composed a poem a few years before, having those timeless lyrics. Mohr gave those lyrics to his organist friend, Frans Gruber, who penned music to the piece so that it could be performed by the choir,(with a guitar) that night. Since that time, the singing of "Silent Night", accompanied by the classical guitar, has become a wonderful tradition around the world.
As a guitarist, I've played "Silent Night" many times, and in many churches. When I've done it lately, I have been fortunately able to use a most interesting guitar:
Marcel Dadi seemed to be able to play anything well on the guitar. The young Tunisian-born musician even began a collaborative friendship with Chet Atkins, and their work together marked a superlative milestone in country music. Marcel got together with the famous Spanish guitar builder, Jose Ramirez III, in order to build the young genius a specially designed classical guitar. They started by making the guitar's soundboard from red cedar, a tone wood long used for the making of our Native American flutes. The guitar's fingerboard width was reduced, and a cutaway to the body was incorporated. An electric, under-saddle pickup was added, as well. Many in the traditional classical guitar world raised their eyebrows at these innovations. Like many new ideas, acceptance came slowly. Both Dadi and Ramirez would be seriously questioned for modifying the traditional and timeless design of a classical guitar. Sadly, Jose Ramirez would pass away in 1995, shortly and unexpectedly followed by the passing of Marcel Dadi in 1996.
Only days after being honored at Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame, the 46 year-old Dadi perished in the mysterious explosion of TWA flight 800, in the skies over Long Island, New York.
The guitar's design however, would go on to become one of the most popular classical guitar types sold today.
Passing the torch is very much a recurring theme in messages of hope, and in the message of Christmas itself. I have been blessed to have been able to play a Marcel Dadi Ramirez guitar in my "Silent Night" performances. To me, that instrument represents a message of continuity and yes, hope; in a world filled with so much anger, doubt, and fear.
Here then is that YouTube link to what we did last year for the Lakewood Observer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHCnltfKmQ8
Peace and love to all of you, my friends.
