Friday, September 19, 2014

Fall

There are so many things to pack into the fall season--planning out what to try for Thanksgiving, trying candy apples, apple cider, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, enjoying the leaves up in New England in the USA. Be sure to schedule everything in and do everything at least once! The cover illustration is by Rea Irwin. 


Monday, September 8, 2014

Driving Music

Some modern stuff to try is Ladytron's great piece "Tomorrow" or "Ghosts" [especially for people who like First Aid Kit, Lana del Rey or The Capricorns] and Trap Nation's "Delay Remix of Black Widow by Iggy Azalea & Rita Ora".

If you prefer medieval or Renaissance music, or just want to try some, listen to "Songs and Dances from The Flemish Renaissance". It's great in the car or as a lovely counterpoint to listen to, in silence or in the background.

Renaissance

Bellini's [1430-1516] painting "Madonna in trono col Bambino e santi detta pala di San Giobbe" [The Madonna enthroned with Child and saints of the Saint Job Palace] from c. 1497 is a great, exceptional Renaissance work. It's one of the best pieces with a lower profile than many other famous works. Look at that ceiling [with gold mosaic old-style angel depictions [ie just a head and many wings], and all the saints, including Sebastian [unclothed and hit with arrows]. Even the throne for Mary is quite interesting, as are the cute little bottom angels playing instruments.


Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Relaxing

One great piece to try that includes both flute and harpsichord is German Baroque composer Telemann's [1681-1767] Nouveaux Quatuors Parisiens no. 6 - Modéré performed by a great group [be sure to listen to more of their work here: Nevermind, ie. try the slow and lovely "La Cupis" by J.P. Rameau] of Anna Besson, Louis Creac'h, Robin Pharo and Jean Rondeau on flute, violin, viola and harpsichord respectively.

Actually, if you prefer gothic, Symbolist style music instead of Baroque, try the cd Rachmaninov Songs, the piece "Vocalise [op. 34, no. 14]" performed by Joan Rodgers & Howard Shelley. Rachmaninoff [many spellings happen due to transliterating] was a famous Russian composer [1873-1943] who wrote a lot of moody, emotive, gothic E.A. Poe style music.

Many people decompress by watching dramas--the urgency and shocks onscreen put everything into perspective for you, making you feel better about whatever annoyances and worries you face. One such tv series is The Good Wife. It has become so much more than its original premise that I only wish they would alter the title to reflect it--it's one of the most moving and wrenching shows of the decade. It's very mature, and very philosophical; no one gets away free or clean. Everyone is faced with reality, the truth: of hard choices, of no answers, of no solutions or balms.

It's the new must watch, gripping show, much like True Detective was. And similarly, at first many people didn't see how incredible both were going to be. They could have slid off the rails early on, but didn't, they just exponentially grew in genius.