MAY 5
SØREN KIERKEGAARD (May 5, 1813)
May 5 is the birthday of Danish philosopher SØREN KIERKEGAARD (1813-1855). Kierkegaard is considered the first existentialist philosopher.
"Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom."
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards."
"Our life always expresses the result of our dominant thoughts."
"The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays."
"Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced."
Kierkegaard was a "philosopher, poet, social critic, and religious author who is widely considered to be the first existentialist philosopher. He wrote critical texts on organized religion, Christianity, morality, ethics, psychology, and the philosophy of religion, displaying a fondness for metaphor, irony, and parables. Much of his philosophical work deals with the issues of how one lives as a ‘single individual.’ giving priority to concrete human reality over abstract thinking and highlighting the importance of personal choice and commitment." (Wikipedia)
VIKTOR HARTMANN (May 5, 1834)
May 5 is the birthday of Russian architect and painter VIKTOR HARTMANN (1834-1873).
Hartmann was a close friend of the Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky, whose PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION was inspired by Hartmann's paintings.
Great Gate of Kiev
The Hut on Fowl's Legs
A poor Jew
HANS PFITZNER (May 5, 1869)
May 5 is the birthday of German composer and conductor HANS PFITZNER (1869-1949).
Pfitzner, a self-described anti-modernist, composed music very much in the fin-de-siécle, late Romanic style of Richard Strauss. He is probably best-known today for his opera PALESTRINA, about the epochal moment in musical history when the Council of Trent debating whether to allow polyphony in the liturgy or just Gregorian chant. Supposedly, the cardinals were swayed to allow polyphony when they heard Palestrina's newly composed MASS OF POPE MARCELLUS. Pfitner's opera PALESTRINA has climactic moment when angels are dictating the Mass of Pope Marcellus to Palestrina.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
CARNEGIE HALL
On May 5, 1891, Carnegie Hall (then known as the Music Hall in New York City) had its grand opening with Tchaikovsky conducting the inaugural concert.