Wikipedia Trail: From Davey to Cullden

Shaun Davey: 2011
Wikimedia Commons

Shaun Davey  was born in 1949 in Bellfast. He is a composer who specializes in large scale concerts. He has four major works The Brendan Voyage, The Pilgrim, Granuaile, and The Relief of Derry, all of which are based on Irish History. One of his other works May We Never Have to Say Goodbye was played at the opening ceremony for the special Olympics world summer games in 2003. He helped compose the soundtrack for the movie The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. It should also be The Deer's Cry, was played during the Inauguration of the Irish president. Davy is important in the musical world because he was the first composer to incorporate native instruments, like the bagpipes into his compositions and orchestra.
noted that his one of his works

One of Davey's most popular compositions, the Relief of Derry Symphony, was based of a real historic event, the Siege of Derry. This siege was the first major event in the Willimate War.  The Siege began in April 1689 and ended July 30 of the same year. Derry was targeted because of its clear allegiance against the, then current, king of England. By the time the siege was over many of the people inside the walls were starving to death. Some were hallucinating, a scene that is captured in Davey's 4th movement, as a woman sings about the sights from the eyes of the soldiers. By the time the siege broke over 4,000 people had died within the walls.

The Williamite War as a conflict between the Jacobites and the Willimates, or those that supported a Catholic King (James II) or a Protestant King ( William of Orange, and current King) for the monarchy of England, and thus Scotland and Ireland. This war is what finally confirmed British Protestant rule over Ireland. The war lasted from March 12, 1689 to October 3, 1691.

Some of the Jacoites from the Williamite War participated in the Battle of Cullden. This was the final battle of the Jacobite rising in 1745 and took place April 16, 1746. The battle itself took less then and hour, but it ended with over 1,500 Scotts dead and only 50 deaths for the British. The rising itself was  a religious and political civil war between Britain and Scotland, Ireland had some support for Scotland but was severely hindered by the previous war. As a result of the war, much of the highlanders were wiped out and their culture was almost annihilated, such as the banning of traditional highland dress. The Jacobite uprising was the final uprising in the highlands. The defeat at Cullden solidified British rule over Scotland.

To be honest the only reason I started this search is because The Relief of Derry is one of my favorite "songs" to listen to. It is a truly beautiful piece. I felt like informing others about it and the history behind it. There are four movements, but I have only posted the first here. I encourage you to go and listen to the entire composition, it is truly moving.

Wikipedia Trail: From Poe to Assassination

1.  Poor Edger Allen Poe, he is one of the most influential writers in american literature. He was orphaned by age 2 and died by age 40. He was one of the first writers in america to earn his income thought writing alone, this caused significant financial stress as copy-write laws were not yet enforced. Though he was mostly known for his Gothic literature, he also wrote romances, since fiction, satires, and comedic pieces. His works have influenced millions of people across the world, especially those in cryptography, and has become a cultural icon. He claimed that one of his poems was written according to "The Philosophy of Composition," which leads to the next link.

2.  The Philosophy of Composition is an essay written by Edger Allen Poe wherein he outlines how a writer should write. He emphasis length, mood, and a logical method as the most important tools/rules for a writer to follow. For Poe, it was all about short and sweet, thematic sense, and planning rather then spontaneity. These are topics that he stresses repeatedly in his essay. Upon reflecting most literary critics doubt that Poe actually used this method when constructing his poem "The Raven" as he claimed.

3.  From here I was lead to one of  Poe's publishers, George Rex Graham. At the age of 26, Graham had become the co-owner of the Saturday Evening Post, by 28 he owned Burton's Gentleman Magazine and had become increasing successful. Graham was known for hiring freelance writers, such as Edger Allen Poe, who was hired as a writer and editor in 1841,  Rufus Wilmot Griswold, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Graham was the publisher who released "The Philosophy of Composition," although he had previously refused to publish "The Raven." After Poe's death, Graham was the strongest opponent against his character assassination from Griswold, a rival of Poe.

4. Character assassination  "a deliberate and sustained process that aims to destroy the credibility and reputation of a person." Usually done by means of rumors, false accusations and manipulations to make the target be rejected by either family, society, or the work community. It is pretty much like bulling, except on a much larger scale, and the effects can be a whole lot worse. The biggest difference is that character assassination is 1) always deliberate, 2) extremely public, and 3) the twisting of public perception, which negates truth. Take Nixon for example, wonderful president, did a lot for our country , but all people remember him for is Watergate. Or think about Martin Luther, by the catholic church during reformation.

Nevermore by mynameistran
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