Category: Music
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I am here in Ealing looking after grandchildren so the chances of reading, let alone reviewing, a book are non-existent. Peace reigns at the moment as the girls are at nursery/school and all is quiet until the return later on this afternoon. Helen is in her study working and I am up here writing this.…
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WHEN I put it to Colin Davis that conductors live long lives and go on until they drop, the observation got the withering response it probably deserved. “Apparently they do,” he said, and lapsed into a ruminative silence that I took as encouragement to change the subject. via www.nytimes.com A Wonderful interview with one of…
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I flirted with a separate blog for musical matters, but as my concert going is very limited these days, I decided Random Arts would have to go and I would write about music and opera etc on Random Jottings. Makes life easier. I know this is mainly a book blog but as I write about…
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Just posted on the Radio 3 'Genius of Mozart' project over on Random Music. Do pop over and take a look.
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The lovely diva Dame Joan Sutherland has died and I am so sad to hear this news. Have written over on Random Music about this lovely lady so do please take a look. http://randomjottings.typepad.com/random_music/2010/10/rip-dame-joan-sutherland.html
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I love books which feature opera and recently I reviewed The Maestro's Voice by Roland Vernon which I found enthralling and it set me thinking about other books I have read in which opera plays a large part. I have to say that I cannot think of many, but I do remember reading the Mills…
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Well, I said it wouldn't be long before this was up. Watch it and just see what she does with this song and listen to the shout from the audience when they see her come on. And doesn't she look simply beautiful? Read the comments under this video as well! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvHC4pzZh8M
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Sorry everyone too hot to blog. Though I don't suffer from hay fever as badly as I used to, my eyes are still bad, itchy and sore and I have just spent the afternoon in my bedroom which is cool and shady. Fell fast asleep and just coming to now. Had planned all sorts of…
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I am not putting this post on Random Arts where it belongs because I am still building up visitors over there and I want this to be seen by as many as possible. This is Philip Langridge who died on Friday. An English tenor with one of those voices which are difficult to slot into…
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New post up on Random Music. Do read – am trying to get the traffic up on this blog!
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Because I love opera and have done all my life, Yale University Press very kindly sent me a copy of this book for me to review. Very much a 'newbie' as far as receiving books from this publishing house is concerned, but the thing that has struck me already is just how gorgeous these books…
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Last Saturday night I plumped myself down on the sofa full of anticipation, tv up nice and loud (neighbours upstairs were out and even if they were in I would have had it full blast to get my own back for their wretched dog yapping and barking all the way tthrough the Friday prom on…
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Yes, I am talking about the Clashes for the Ashes, so if you are not interested in cricket then go and do something useful and put the kettle on and make yourself a cup of tea because you will not want to read this post. First test at Cardiff, England were so bad it was…
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Got to London yesterday eve to find that Rowan Atkinson was alive and well, had not fallen downstairs or thrown out a splinter and was doing the performance so that was a relief. First hurdle out of way. However, we had another one to face. I only discovered yesterday that the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane…
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I have said before that it all depends on the performance on the night and it was true again in this year's final. I am putting my thoughts down here at 19:38 before the judges make a decision so I cannot pretend I knew who was going to win all along. You have to admire my honesty. Well, you…
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Tonight's round illustrated perfectly the comment I made in my first post on this competition and what makes an artist stand out. Five singers tonight, all obviously good as they made it through to the 25 chosen contestants, and yet none of them set me on fire, had that X factor that is so important.…
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This is a bi-annual competition and seems to come round quicker and quicker each time and it was with a sense of shock at how fast the months vanish that I picked up this week's copy of the Radio Times and saw it was back. When this competition started back in 1983 which, let's…
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I have just watched a fascinating programme on BBC4 all about Andre Previn, the famous conductor, musician, jazz pianist, classical pianist, writer of Hollywood film scores, well you name it, he has done it. He is celebrating his 80th birthday and this was a celebration of his musical life so far. To find that Andre Previn…
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I have posted on Random on many occasions about my love of opera, choral singing, going to the Proms, listening and seeing Wagner and how I love huge orchestras playing their socks off and how much I enjoy a big sound. When I go to a concert I like to get my money's worth, all…
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Anybody watching this on BBC2? It was trailed for weeks and I began to sigh and think Oh dear here we go again, another reality programme but could not resist giving it a whirl and found myself totally taken over with its humour and fun. ‘Celebrities’ – (I really hate that word), including Jane Asher,…