A Musical Interlude for Our Times

Besides the Scottish referendum on independence to take place tomorrow, there is very little in the news recently to inspire confidence, hope or even a sense that events are moving in a direction that will result in resolution. The sudden growth of Islamic State seems more than ever a ruse designed to facilitate a third Gulf War for the United States; the loosely complied with Novorossiya ceasefire has successfully bleached any higher purpose from the conflict in Ukraine; and, as a result of all the bellicose machinations of his administration, Obama is reaping the "reward" -- approval ratings on par with W. when the Republicans lost Congress to the Dems in 2006.

A musical interlude is called for. Hildur Guðnadóttir, the Icelandic cellist, has a new album out. I have yet to listen to Saman, but I am a big fan of Without Sinking (2009). Below are YouTubes of the fourth and fifth tracks, "Circular" and "Ascent," off that album. There is a lachrymose quality to Guðnadóttir's sound which might well be the score of our fragmenting age.