Posts

I think music is another language

-
Image
Can you read sheet music?  I have been listening to a lot of Chamber Music this week. My first class last week was French Opera and it went well. This week we are doing Chamber Music. I like Chamber Music. With one particular piece l've been listening to l looked into the structure of how it is played. It's like another language.  Can you read sheet music? I can't. Allegro for tempo, largo for slow play; it really is another language. I tried to learn the piano a few years ago but had to stop as l'm always moving around so never learnt how to read sheet music. Do you play a music instrument? If you do you will already know what all this means.  The other question l have is: are the Italian terms used in all music or is there English used as well? Are the words printed on the sheet music or is it something to do with the lines, and what are the lines called?. I've had a very interesting week looking into all this and l went back and listened to the piece of music and...
Post a Comment
Read more

I wish l could paint like this

-
Image
Can you paint like this?  A few weeks ago l had to go into an Arts Centre to buy some tickets.  While l was there l looked around their current exhibition. 9 by 5. So many paintings and all of them so good. If only l could paint like this. Yet another skill l don't have. I would love to go out into the countryside, set up an easel and paint what was in front of me. Alas, not to be.  Can you paint and draw? Let's start a conversation.
Post a Comment
Read more

What have you been reading?

-
Image
I'm at a loss.  I don't know what to read next. So l'm looking for suggestions. What have you been reading? Is there a book you could recommend. If it's crime fiction let me know.
Post a Comment
Read more

I can't believe that it's only now l'm listening to Nina Simone

-
Image
What a voice and what a pianist.  I haven't listened to her music before. Only stated to this week.. So l'm asking what is the best album to start with. Nina Simone was know as the high priestess of soul, but, she could see blues as well. If you know her music let me know.
Post a Comment
Read more

The Roman Empire

-
Image
Last week l saw the Roman Empire Exhibition. Of course it began with Julius Caesar. He was the first person to put his likeness on the back of a coin. He also gave us the 12 month calendar. Just think how old these pieces are. Of course Rome was a great military power, Hadrian build a wall in England, which l have seen along with the Roman baths in Bath.   But this is an arts website and l couldn't resist taking a photo of this theatre mask. It was such an interesting exhibition and  Rome ruled such a vast empire. It got me thinking about empires. I was thinking about it as l walked around this exhibition because Rome fell like all empires fall. And think about the Roman Empire in relation to what's happening in the world right now. As l said all empires rise and then fall.
Post a Comment
Read more

Do you read biographies?

-
Image
Would you read the book Sister Viv?  I heard about a biography at lunch on Tuesday. Now, l'm no fan of biographies, but this one peaked my interest. Sister Viv. Vivian Bullwinkel was an Australian nurse who was in Singapore when it fell to the Japanese army in WWII. She saw her fellow nurses killed and then spent 3.5 years in a Japanese prisoner of war camp.  She was a brave woman and continued nursing once the war was over. I've checked and this book is available in Audible. The question is do l want to read it? She certainly led an interesting life. I'll think about and let you know. Enjoy your weekend.
Post a Comment
Read more

I think this is the best aria

-
Image
I've been listening to a lot of opera.  My course starts next Friday so l have been listening to a lot of opera, especially French opera. I'm starting with French opera. Some have asked me why French, why not Italian?. I know that opera began in Italy, but, l wanted to start with something different. Italian opera is going to be in week 2 and, let me tell you, the opera world is big and it's been fun listening to all this music. It's also been interesting learning about the different registers with female singers. Soprano is the highest. Joni Mitchell was a soprano until she got older and became a mezzo soprano. If you listen to her early, and then, later work you can actually hear how her voice has changed. For those that don't know a song in opera is called an aria.  My class is running for an hour and l'm going to play 3 pieces of music. So, without further ado what do l think is the best aria?? Flower Duet. Flower Duet is from the French opera Lakme. It is s...
Post a Comment
Read more