We often have classical music on around the house through the Music Choice cable channels. If I’m choosing (in a forced choice), I pick the “Light Classical” channel. Chuck chooses the “Classical Masterpieces” channel because he says the “Light” channel doesn’t play the whole thing. Actually he says something much more precise than that, but I can’t remember what.
Generally when we have classical music on, it’s as background for whatever else we’re about: reading, computing, writing. Sometimes the music gradually begins to intrude and I realize that it is starting to make me anxious. I begin to feel as if someone is turning the crank on one of those little metal Jack-In-The-Box toys, faster and faster. Yeah, I know it’s the crescendo and there’s something about the repetition and variation on themes, but I just want to yell: “make the clown pop up already”!
Sigh... I fear I’m kind of hopeless in this area. I really love lyrics and the sound of the human voice. Actually we both do. In addition to the Vivaldi, we made a mix tape (so long ago, there was no such thing as “burning” a CD!) which we played at our wedding reception. We chose every song very deliberately and went so far as to type up a verse from each song! You may call it obsessive compulsive, we prefer “lust for lyrics”!
By the way, I felt sufficiently embarrassed just now, that I went and looked up the real name of cut #11. The CD title is: “ Antonio Vivaldi’s Concertos Pour Mandolines & Concertos pour Violon” (on the Erato Bonsai Collection ECD 55013). Cut #11 is: the Andante from the Concerto a 2 Choeurs ”con violino discordato” in B flat Major. Now you know why I just call it Cut #11! I’m playing it right now through iTunes on my laptop. It still brings tears to my eyes. Maybe I’m not hopeless after all...
5 comments:
i love vivaldi. spring is my favorite piece. it makes me feel cheerful. :)
I'm on your man's side Lee, I go and sit in the conservatory for a good dose of Classical, while Peter wathces rubbish telly - each to their own!
For years I remembered a children's TV progamme I used watch as a child, and I always remembered the theme. It made me tingle when I heard it, but never knew what it was. About four years ago I was driving to a meeting, flicked through the radio channels and heard the piece. By the time it ended, I had pulled over, scrabled for a pen, wrote it down then drove into town, found a music shop and bought it there and then. It was the finale from Symphony No. 1 in D Op. 25, Classical Symphony by Prokofiev. I was late for the meeting, but hey, I had the tune on in the car for the full hour and a half on the way back.
If I had to name one favourite it would have to be the Planet Suite by Holst, just for the different emotions all in one. Strings and baroque keep me listening, and I love Barber. I remember being on top of a hilltop in Nevada, looking out into nothing and his music floating around in my head, it's just evocative of the wide open spaces in the US.
Phew - I may need a lie down ;o) or more coffee!
I know that anxious feeling. I get the same thing with jazz sometimes.
Hi Everyone!
Thanks for the comments!
--Barbie2Be, I also like the Four Seasons! Vivaldi never makes me anxious!
--Roo, Chuck recognized both pieces you named and has played them for me! He's also played some Barber for me! Tell Peter that when we first got together, Chuck used to call me "The Vid Kid" 'cuz I watched more TV than he did!
--Tonya, I haven't experienced the same thing with jazz, but that may be because I don't listen to much jazz without singers singing!
Thanks again!
- Lee
You see you got me thinking too, and I forgot to mention Copeland,again he makes me think of America in it's youth, with that mix of UK folk tunes and soaring wild west vistas that all come together in such a unique way... and I forgot about Rhapsody in Blue, which will make me stop whatever I am doing any time.
Right it's nearly half ten on Saturday morning and I have to go and shower, make porridge, tea and coffee, then go sit in the conservatory with the newspapers... heavy day ahead ;o)
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