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Suite Hypatia
by   Wyndsok   and   Toveco
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For the record, I distance myself from ALL “fundamentalisms”: religious or secular, ancient or modern, eastern or western, scientistic or metaphysical, Darwinist or creationist, political or psychological; etc.

That being said, I first encountered story of Hypatia (d. 415 CE) back in the early 1990s, and was deeply impacted by it. She has become a heroine of mine.

Combining the beauty of the legendary Helen of Troy, and the wisdom and spiritual piety of the lesser known Diotima (Plato, Symposium 201d-212b), Hypatia was a veritable paragon of womanhood.

For any interested in reading about her, beyond what can be found on Wikipedia and the like, a recent and pretty solid scholarly source is:

HYPATIA Of ALEXANDRIA, by Maria Dzielska (Harvard University Press)

---I've personally researched the original source materials, and do not embrace all of the author's conclusions; but it is still, in my view, the best monograph in print.

This is an art-rock, or progressive-rock song suite. The mid-section---broken into three parts and featuring acoustic and electric guitar, along with synthesized accordion, strings, cello, flute and oboe---is a kind of musical summary of her story.

BTW, the “Hypatia quotes” you may read on YouTube and the like are almost without exception fabrications by radicalized Feminists and/or the science-versus-religion crowd. None of these so called “quotes” are an accurate representation of who this amazing Neoplatonist philosopher/mathematician really was! Only a couple things she actually said have come down to us, so beware…

IMHO the memory of this amazing woman deserves far better than to be made a poster child for some looney Left (or RIGHT) wing ideology.

'Nuff said...

Heartfelt thanks to Tom Hellstens for his stellar mastering, and thanks in advance for listening friends!
Released: 27-May-2024
Category: Rock
Application: Logic Pro
File type: mp3
File size: 14.3 Mb
Plays: 24
Downloads: 3
Weekly plays: 1
Weekly downloads: 3
License: No derivative works allowed
Lyrics
SUITE HYPATIA

1st  Movement: The Teacher

I.
Long ago in Alexandria...
a hub of knowledge in the ancient world;
chaste and beautiful;
brilliant as the Sun that shines
was her mind.

II.
She taught mathematics and philosophy.
Her students came from far and wide.
I can see her in my mind's eye,
standing straight and proud,
and pointing to a higher beauty.

 Chorus:
Hypatia!
You lit up the night.
The dignity of woman, 
shining oh so bright...

Hypatia!
You could not foresee;
your death at the hands of 
the denizens
of envy.

2nd Movement: Reflections

A) In The Shadow Of The Church
B) The Teacher And Her Students
C) In the Hands Of The Righteous

3rd Movement: The Martyr

III.
Her teaching was so influential, but
her allegiance was suspect.
The guardians of "orthodoxy" deemed her,
a force that must be checked.

IV.
They dragged you from your teaching post.
Stripped you naked in the street.
And for your intelligence and beauty,
reduced you to a bloody heap...

Chorus:
Hypatia!
Down ages dark and long;
somehow the memory lingers,
of how you suffered wrong.

Hypatia!
Your soul it did not die.
If you can hear me now
have pity,
on our ignorance...
Comments
artist
Hypatia nice 😊
Lovely guitar play Mike 
And music 🎶 
Enjoyed 
Latest song: One Eye Luvv
5 months ago
artist
Great job.  There are dynamics and development.  The production is supporting the song perfectly.  Ringo wants his fills back by the way.  Your work makes the house better.  Thank you for posting your material here. 
 
5 months ago
artist
@yoslounge 
Thanks for taking time out from your summertime adventures to listen and comment Omar. 
I really appreciate it!
:-)
Latest song: TIME FOR ME TO GO
5 months ago
artist
@Daugrin 
Many thanks James! 
This is the most difficult piece I've ever attempted.
Took me a few years to get where I am finally content with the mix.
Tom's fine mastering job brings it the rest of the way home...
:-)
Latest song: TIME FOR ME TO GO
5 months ago
listener
Whoa !  Incredible ! And I learned a new word. Monograph. Thanks. 
 
5 months ago
artist
Wow you sing with such emotion in you voice. Great production. Such a sad story yet so beautiful at the same time
 That  backing music is amazing. Bravo both of you. That mix is perfect!!! :)
5 months ago
artist
Wow Mike this song is like a journey.  Very musical, catchy, great ideas and performed beautifully as usual.  Roger Waters would be proud.  You keep delivering the goods. 
5 months ago
artist
Love the guitar work on this !! really bounces around my little studio ... This reminds me of the amazing Neil Hannon with a strong hint of Bowie , such a magical song and it then evolves into a synth soundscape and never fails to keep giving with that amazing gnarly guitar riff ( Ooooof ) 👌👌
Latest song: Stay
5 months ago
artist
Nice song and you sure are a plethora of information!
5 months ago
artist
@Chips 
You crack me up friend! Glad you enjoyed the tune, and happy to help you advance your vocabulary! Lol...
:-)
Latest song: TIME FOR ME TO GO
5 months ago
artist
@deezee 
It IS indeed a sad story Dorothy, but one that needs to be told and retold.
Glad you enjoyed the music my friend!
:-)
Latest song: TIME FOR ME TO GO
5 months ago
artist
@TrebleFace 
Thank you Matt. I've only done less than a handful of songs like this over the years. Too much work for a lazy cuss like myself! But when inspiration knocks a fellas' gotta answer!
:-)
Latest song: TIME FOR ME TO GO
5 months ago
artist
@Sprout 
Thanks Dave! That musical soundscape in the middle was a bit of an experiment for me. No one is more surprised than me that it turned out as well as it did. So glad you enjoyed this piece!
:-)
Latest song: TIME FOR ME TO GO
5 months ago
artist
@Grathy 
Hey Mary, UNlike the character "Hefe" in the movie "The Three Amigos," I KNOW what a plethora is! Lol...
Thanks for listening and commenting my friend!
:-)
Latest song: TIME FOR ME TO GO
5 months ago
artist
I get a history lesson, and in great musical form! Epic writing, my friend. Tommy embellished your piece, no doubt! He's a great Teaxher, Tommy! I owe him!
artist
That solo in the intro is awesome. That song has catched me till the end being always amazed by the different sections. Beautiful harmonies with the accordion. Wow at 3'40 ! This time you were really out of your comfort zone. Surely one of the most beautiful song I've ever heard here. Wonderful work Mike !
5 months ago
artist
@StanTheManLoh 
Many thanks my friend. Sad history but all too true... Tommy made this "epic" sparkle and shine.
:-)
Latest song: TIME FOR ME TO GO
5 months ago
artist
@thsantac 
Thierry,
Glad you tuned in to this one. Wrote this back in 2010 or 2011. Began remixing it a few years ago. It took quite some time before I was happy with it. Still needed help with the mastering and Tom delivered the goods.
Over the years I've done several prog pieces, this is the most "artsy" of the lot, and yes... somewhat out of my comfort zone; especially in the orchestrated parts!
:-)
Latest song: TIME FOR ME TO GO
5 months ago
<deleted>
listener
This is awesome I am enjoying a wonderful song plus a history lesson at the same time!
 
5 months ago
artist
@Garni 
Thanks bro. I read way too much... but every now and then something I read becomes a musical inspiration.
That's what happened here. Glad you enjoyed it!
:-)
Latest song: TIME FOR ME TO GO
5 months ago
artist
Singer/songwriter/historical epic philosopher...
Hypnotic and intricately well-crafted song, my friend. Production is ace. Vox is tops and the instrumentation is killer.
5 months ago
artist
@jmill 
Gentleman Jack! Welcome aboard old friend. A sad slice of history this, to be sure; but a good reminder of what political and/or religious fanaticism can breed.
Glad you enjoyed the music. This has to be my most ambitious piece ever!
:-)
Latest song: TIME FOR ME TO GO
5 months ago
artist
I can hear Uriah Heep and Pink Flyoid here. Great job, sir.
Latest song: Six Nine
5 months ago
artist
@IMadeSentana 
Thanks friend. Very flattering to be mentioned in such good company!
:-)
Latest song: TIME FOR ME TO GO
5 months ago
artist
Music and story edifying. Takes its time through a satisfying journey. Harkens back to a progressive story telling time. Different and quite good Mike. 
Latest song: Miracles
5 months ago
artist
@Bowman 
Hey Charlie, if you found the journey satisfying that's good enough for me! 
I was truly out of my league in that middle section, but I tried to put my best foot forward anyway. The story seemed to require something like it...
:-)
Latest song: TIME FOR ME TO GO
5 months ago
artist
@wyndsok First of all agreat piece of writing and an excellant performance, secondly a great story that needed to be told, thirdly tom is tom :)-kudos sirs
5 months ago
I almost missed this song.
Wow! Wow wow. What a masterpiece. What a musical journey you takes us on. The story and the idea for the song is fantastic. The classical orchestrations works really well with the guitar, bass, drums. Fantastic transition and interval where the accordion comes in. The strings, woodwinds wow. And then in best Pink Floyd style the guitar solo. You can surely be proud of this. It must have taken many hours of work to do. Bravo. Thanks for sharing. Instant fav and download
Latest song: Rhône
5 months ago
artist
@KennethLavrsen 
I AM kinda proud of this one bro. It was conceived and first recorded back in 2009 or 2010. I was never quite happy with it and over the years it has gone lyrically, vocally, and with timing issues through several revisions, and at least four attempts at mixing, to get to where it is now, At last I'm happy with the song and mix, and Tom's fabulous mastering is icing on the cake. So yes... "many hours of work"... to say the least. Lol...
Many thanks for listening and for leaving such a generous comment my friend!
:-)
Latest song: TIME FOR ME TO GO
5 months ago
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