CLASSICAL MUSIC MONTH

August 31, 2026August 2, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 2 Comments

September is classical music month. Classical music differs greatly from today’s standards. However, classical music sets stage for the music we have today.

Classical music has many periods and styles throughout its history. Classical music is actually broken into different smaller periods, each having their own differences. It is interesting to see just how much music has changed over time!

Classical Music Time Periods

(PLEASE NOTE: The dates of the time periods are only estimates since there are no exact dates for when each time period occurred/ began/ended)

Medieval (500ish – 1400) The music of this time was connected to the church. Forms of music from the early part of this period would be Gregorian Chants and Organum.

Some Composers From this Period: Hildegard von Bingen, Guillaume de Machaut

Renaissance (1400/1450 – 1600) The Renaissance era brought many new ideas and gave a little bit more freedom from the church, which allowed for more experimentation with music. The printing press, invented in the 1400’s, also allowed for music to be printed. Instrumental music was developed as well.

Some Composers From this Period: William Byrd, Claudio Monteverdi, Josquin Des Prez

Baroque (1600 – 1750) The music of the Baroque was very ornate. This period also had the creation of the concerto, canata, oratorio, and the sonata. There were advancements with instruments as well.

Some Composers From This Period: Johann Sebastian Bach, Georg Frideric Handel, Antonio Vivaldi

Classical (1750/1775 – 1820) Classical era music was more simple/cleaner than Baroque music, and focused more on the melody. Dynamics (the change in volume) were important. The woodwind section of the orchestra was added during this period.

Some Composers From This Period: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig Van Beethoven*, Franz Joseph Hayden

*Beethoven is considered to be a bridge between the Classical and the Romantic periods

Romantic (1820 – 1910) Romantic pieces are know for being very expressive and emotional. The orchestra saw much growth in this period with the expansion of the woodwind and brass section.

Some Composers From This Period: Frédéric Chopin, Franz Liszt, Richard Wagner, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Johannes Brahms

CELEBRATE

Find some classical music to listen to alone or with friends and family. If there is a concert you can go to, go with a few friends or family. If you want to learn how to play an instrument, then go out and find a place to do so. You can learn from various resources such as books, websites, or find a private tutor in your area. If you’re in school, then consider taking band or joining a music club. There are plenty of ways to celebrate! Use #ClassicalMusicMonth to post on social media.

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Gregorian Chant for Meditation Chant Music for the Soul#ClassicalMusicMonth — Hildegard von Bingen: 11,000 Virgins – Chants for the Feast of St. Ursula

NATIONAL ABSINTHE DAY

March 4, 2026March 3, 2026Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

March 5th is also known as National Absinthe Day. This day is for those who are 21 years or older to celebrate a drink called absinthe.

Often mistaken for a liqueur, it is truly a spirit because it isn’t sweetened. It belongs to the vodkas, gins, and whiskeys when categorizing absinthe.

The spirit is made by infusing wormwood, fennel, anise, and other herbs into alcohol through distillation. Pierre Ordinaire, a French doctor, is credited with the creation of absinthe. He developed and prescribed the elixir in the early 19th century as a cure for many illnesses.

It has a strong licorice flavor to it and has a high alcohol content. The spirit is often served with ice, a sugar cube placed on a slotted spoon over the glass, and water poured over the sugar.

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Also known as the Green Fairy, the Green Goddess, or the Green Lady, the drink was popular with artists and writers. It was also once rumored to have hallucinogenic effects. Just as it was gaining popularity, as the century was coming to a close, its reputation took some severe blows.

Many blamed the Green Lady for causing madness, seizures, and low morality, among other ills of society. One of the final blows was a scandal in 1905 involving a French laborer who had spent the day drinking. His drink of choice was absinthe. Later that day, he murdered his children and pregnant wife.

France banned the drink, and other countries soon followed. In the United States and around the world, the ban has since been lifted.

Studies have proven there is nothing hallucinogenic about the drink. Absinthe does have a higher alcohol content than other spirits, so keeping that in mind is important to drink responsibly.

There is a cameo appearance in TNT’s hit series The Alienist season 2. When our lead character Lazlo Crysler seeks a second opinion from another alienist. It caught my attention due to the ritual with sugar cubes as shown in the scene.

This is a gothic crime drama not for the faint of heart or the squeamish. It gives a more detailed account of catching criminals, as both profiling and forensic sciences are being invented. Its popularity has a season 3 renewal in its future, as it paves the way for how we fight modern criminality, as seen on shows like Criminal Minds, and CSI.

NATIONAL ABSINTHE DAY HISTORY

Why March 5th? It’s a nod to Pernod, and the day the approval of their final label for Pernod Fils Absinthe became official in 2013.

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalAbsintheDay

Celebrate the day by learning more about absinthe. Whether you have a taste, mix up a cocktail or watch a documentary, it will be a worthy endeavor.

If you prefer to read up on your absinthe mixology, we found a few books you might want to page through.
Pub owners host a cocktail tasting featuring the Green Goddess. Include history, tantalizing tidbits, and famous dancers partners of the Green Lady.
Try making your own absinthe cocktail to celebrate.
Discover more about plants that go into making spirits.

Have some absinthe (Remember to drink responsibly and never drink and drive) and use #NationalAbsintheDay to post on social media.

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GOOD FRIDAY

March 28, 2024March 28, 2024Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

The Friday before Easter commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ in the Christian Faith and is called Good Friday.

Christians around the world recall the biblical story of Jesus’s crucifixion on this day. The day goes by other names as well, such as Holy Friday, Black Friday, and Great Friday. Though sources conflict, the phrase “Good Friday” may have been derived from “God’s Friday,” though sources conflict.

The observance is central to the Christian holy season that leads up to Easter when Jesus Christ was resurrected. While Easter has become a traditional celebration in the secular world, Good Friday has remained a holy and spiritual observance.

GOOD FRIDAY HISTORY

The celebration of Good Friday has been observed for centuries, some say since at least the 4th century.

Since Easter is based on the lunar calendar, Good Friday can happen anytime between March 20th and April 23rd depending upon when the first full moon occurs after the spring equinox.
Different cultures around the globe celebrate Good Friday with varying traditions.

El Salvador – Artists create alfombra de asserin (sawdust rugs) using colored sawdust. The artwork depicts a variety of scenes or patterns in honor of Good Friday.
London – Reenacts the crucifixion as a passion play. The performance is free to the public.
Ireland – Eggs are marked with a holy cross and are then eaten on Easter Sunday.
Israel – Christians walk in Jesus’s footsteps in Jerusalem where he was crucified.

HOW TO OBSERVE GOOD FRIDAY

Churches across the country hold services.
Depending on the denomination, their services and traditions may vary.
Many spend the day in meditative reflection.
Some churches will fast, selected hymns are chosen for services and a black cloth is draped over the altar and cross.
Other churches will include specific prayers such as the Stations of the Cross.
Similar to making Easter bread, some make hot cross buns for the observance. Learn more about the biblical story of the crucifixion.
Use #GoodFriday to share on social media.