At The Flatland Chronicles, I posted two notes on some lifelong favorites of mine.
First, some classical classics featured on YouTube from Elijah, The Mozart Requiem, and The Messiah.
Second, the song (by Mendelssohn) I'd like to have played at my theoretical memorial service, even though I won't be present to hear it.
Have you been to Nova Scotia? I haven't either. But after looking at these photographs by Judy Malley, I'm definitely going to go there someday.
I admit that they don't exactly go together. But I performed Hoffman (just in the chorus, of course), including "Helas! Mon coeur s'agare encore" when I was in my teens; and Melanie was one of my favorite singers (and later, my favorite singer). So there is a connection, at least as regards the Flatland Chronicles.
For this Thursday, in the honor of all the pain we've all ever undergone, a collection of 13 broken hearts. See the photo essay here.
The Seguedilla from Carmen, which I dreamed at the age of 15 I would grow up to perform. Alas, I never did. But I have retrieved two charming renditions for your listening and viewing pleasure.
My list of 13 songs from the day aren't all favorites of mine, though most would be somewhere in my top 100. All refer---tangentially, at least--- to the war or to the Peace Movement.
In a way, I'd like to forget it. It's one of those songs that gets stuck in your head. In another, it's so tightly connected to my past that forgetting it would be like forgetting my dad. So anyway: here. It's not YOUR ultimate party song, but chances are it won't be completely unfamiliar to you either.
I've spent a bit of time lately researching You Tube for all the memories I could dredge up. This is quite a poignant one, dating back to my opera-smitten adolescence. I wanted to sing all the parts (bass and tenor too) and sadly, had very little talent. But here are two beautiful renditions of one of the more accessible arias (according to me). At 15, you're going to prefer anything emotive and sensual to anything dry and witty (which are my preferences today). Enjoy!
I am going through a rough patch. It's not as bad as it could have been---that's one thing---and this one's been a long-time in coming. It's mostly just the dull ache at the site where the bond used to attach. Like a phantom limb, except not nearly as painful. But painful. Well, enough to notice. If I went through any of the stages, it was some time ago. Now there's just the grief. The Flatland Chronicles.
THE FLATLAND CHRONICLES. Amazing photographs of San Francisco---each a separate miracle of color and light---are on display here with commentary by yours truly. These are the work of one of my favorite photographers in all of Flickr.
And here is the grumpiest bun ever to rebuke the internet with his frown of hearty disappoval and beetled brow.
THE FLATLAND CHRONICLES. Speaking of Dale Chihuly---and the mingling of art with nature--- you'll want to check out my link for today It will take you to a site of breathtaking beauty.
And you won't want to miss "The Mean Kitty Song." Have you seen the video yet of little Sparta or heard his owner's reggae tribute? Wear oven mitts. This IS a mean kitty!
