A while ago I decided to treat myself with a long bubbly bath, a glass (or two) of red wine and some classical music. That was probably the most relaxing evening I've had this whole year. And it was mostly due to the music. So now I want to share my favourite pieces of relaxing classical music with you. Enjoy!
1. Canon in D - Johann Pachelbel (Academy of St. Martin in the Fields)
2. Suite No. 3 In D Major, BWV 1068: Air - Johann Sebastian Bach (Academy of St. Martin in the Fields)
3. Peer Gynt: Prelude (Morning) - Edvard Grieg (Academy of St. Martin in the Fields)
4. Sheep May Safely Graze from Cantata No. 208 (Arr. Marriner) - Johann Sebastian Bach (Academy of St. Martin in the Fields)
5. Piano Concerto No. 2 In C Minor, Op. 18: II Adagio Sostenuto - Sergei Rachmaninov (Cecile Ousset)
6. Rhapsody On a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XVIII - Sergei Rachmaninov (City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra)
7. Gabriel's Oboe - Ennio Morricone
8. Concierto de Aranjuez: Adagio - Opening - Joaquín Rodrigo (Julian Bream)
9. Variations On an Original Theme, 'Enigma', Op. 36: IX. Nimrod - Edward Elgar (London Symphony Orchestra & Sir Adrian Boult)
10. Cavatina - Stanley Myers (Manuel Barrueco & Steve Morse)
11. Piano Concerto No. 1 In E Minor, Op. 11: II. Romance: Larghetto - Frédéric Franciszek Chopin (Martha Argerich)
12. Piano Sonata No. 14 In C-Sharp Minor 'Moonlight', Op. 27, No. 2: I. Adagio Sostenuto - Ludwig van Beethoven (Moura Lympany)
13. Suite Bergamasque: Clair de Lune - Claude Debussy (Moura Lympany)
14. Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana - Pietro Mascagni (Philharmonia Orchestra)
15. Cinema Paradiso Love Theme - Ennio Morricone (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)
16. Romance from the Gadfly - Dmitri Shostakovich (Tasmin Little)
17. Double Violin Concerto In D Minor, BWV 1043: II. Largo Ma non Tanto (Opening) - Johann Sebastian Bach (Yehudi Menuhin)
18. Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 26: II. Adagio (Opening) - Max Bruch (Yehudi Menuhin)
19. Suite for Solo Cello No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: I. Prélude - Johann Sebastian Bach (Yo Yo Ma)
20. Brahms: Waltz In A Flat, Op. 39/15 - Johannes Brahms (Katia & Marielle Labèque)
There's no particular order to the list, but I do have a favourite! Unfortunately it's not the same version as the one in the list, but there you go. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Showing posts with label Thank You For The Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thank You For The Music. Show all posts
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Saturday, 27 November 2010
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their psychedelic and progressive rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful rock music groups of all time. It is estimated that they have sold over 200 million albums worldwide.
The band originally consisted of university students Roger Waters, Nick Mason, Richard Wright and Syd Barrett. Founded in 1965, they first became popular playing in London's underground music scene in the late 1960s. Guitarist and vocalist David Gilmour joined Pink Floyd several months prior to Barrett's departure from the group due to deteriorating mental health in 1968. Following the loss of their principal songwriter, Pink Floyd bassist and vocalist Roger Waters became the band's lyricist and conceptual leader, with Gilmour assuming lead guitar and sharing lead vocals. With this lineup Pink Floyd achieved worldwide critical and commercial success with The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals and The Wall.
Numerous artists have been influenced by Pink Floyd's work. David Bowie has called Syd Barrett a major inspiration. A teenage The Edge (of U2 fame) bought his first delay pedal after hearing the opening to Animals, and the Pet Shop Boys paid homage to The Wall during a performance in Boston. Marillion guitarist Steve Rothery has cited Wish You Were Here as a major inspiration. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on 17 January 1996 and the UK Music Hall of Fame on 16 November 2005. (Wikipedia)
There's a hell of a lot more to say about them, but you can google that yourself. In the mean time, here's a suggestion. Instead of wasting your evening on Facebook or watching random TV download 'Dark Side of the Moon', turn the lights off and listen to the album from beginning to end. It's really worth it. And it's my all time favourite album.
'Comfortably Numb' is actually a track from Pink Floyd's album 'The Wall'. I thought I'd post it as it has the best guitar solo I've ever heard. And you should listen to the whole of 'Dark Side of the Moon', not just one track. Otherwise, it just ruins the experience.
The band originally consisted of university students Roger Waters, Nick Mason, Richard Wright and Syd Barrett. Founded in 1965, they first became popular playing in London's underground music scene in the late 1960s. Guitarist and vocalist David Gilmour joined Pink Floyd several months prior to Barrett's departure from the group due to deteriorating mental health in 1968. Following the loss of their principal songwriter, Pink Floyd bassist and vocalist Roger Waters became the band's lyricist and conceptual leader, with Gilmour assuming lead guitar and sharing lead vocals. With this lineup Pink Floyd achieved worldwide critical and commercial success with The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals and The Wall.
Numerous artists have been influenced by Pink Floyd's work. David Bowie has called Syd Barrett a major inspiration. A teenage The Edge (of U2 fame) bought his first delay pedal after hearing the opening to Animals, and the Pet Shop Boys paid homage to The Wall during a performance in Boston. Marillion guitarist Steve Rothery has cited Wish You Were Here as a major inspiration. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on 17 January 1996 and the UK Music Hall of Fame on 16 November 2005. (Wikipedia)
There's a hell of a lot more to say about them, but you can google that yourself. In the mean time, here's a suggestion. Instead of wasting your evening on Facebook or watching random TV download 'Dark Side of the Moon', turn the lights off and listen to the album from beginning to end. It's really worth it. And it's my all time favourite album.
'Comfortably Numb' is actually a track from Pink Floyd's album 'The Wall'. I thought I'd post it as it has the best guitar solo I've ever heard. And you should listen to the whole of 'Dark Side of the Moon', not just one track. Otherwise, it just ruins the experience.
Sunday, 3 October 2010
Les Miserables
Today was a day filled with music. A day filled with beautiful songs that made my heart skip a beat. I went to the Queen's Theatre London to see Les Miserables. It was... breathtaking. The story is a sad one and you can't help yourself from wishing it will end well, somehow. And the songs just touch your soul. One especially, almost made me cry. "On My Own" is sung by Eponine, who is deeply in love with Marius even if he does not know it. The best performance of this piece is by Frances Ruffelle from the original London cast. Another moving song is "I Dreamed A Dream". Patti Lupone of the original London cast sings it as part of her character Fantine.
It really is an amazing experience.
The musical produced by Cameron Mackintosh is based on the 1862 French novel by author Victor Hugo which is widely considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. It follows the lives of several French characters over a twenty-year period in the early 19th century, starting in 1815 and culminating in the 1832 June Rebellion. The focus is on Jean Valjean, an ex-convict, and of his struggles. It brings to light a number of issues, such as the nature of law, politics, moral philosophy, justice and the nature of love.
Last but not least I'd like to thanks James for suggesting we go and see it. So, thank you!
On My Own
I Dreamed A Dream
It really is an amazing experience.
The musical produced by Cameron Mackintosh is based on the 1862 French novel by author Victor Hugo which is widely considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. It follows the lives of several French characters over a twenty-year period in the early 19th century, starting in 1815 and culminating in the 1832 June Rebellion. The focus is on Jean Valjean, an ex-convict, and of his struggles. It brings to light a number of issues, such as the nature of law, politics, moral philosophy, justice and the nature of love.
Last but not least I'd like to thanks James for suggesting we go and see it. So, thank you!
On My Own
I Dreamed A Dream
Thursday, 23 September 2010
So...
So I finally made up my mind. The result being this blog, as you can see. Took a while, even though I've been meaning to do it for about a year now. Anyway, enough about that.
The idea is to share my music, my thoughts, with you. Music is an essential part of my life and in some ways, of me. I can't really go through a day without it. It brings me joy and smiles, it makes me cry, it makes me lonely and it keeps me company. It gets me through the rough times and makes me love the good ones even more. It's the sole thing in my life that I can be sure of. There's always a particular song that will suit my state of mind. And it never fails.
I want to share that with you, if you're willing. I'll play my music and you can sit back and enjoy. I might write something about each song and about how it makes me feel. And maybe you feel the same way. Or you don't. Either way, I hope that each and everyone of you can find what you're looking for. Whether it be in music, or not...
I leave for the moment with one of my favourite songs and hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
The idea is to share my music, my thoughts, with you. Music is an essential part of my life and in some ways, of me. I can't really go through a day without it. It brings me joy and smiles, it makes me cry, it makes me lonely and it keeps me company. It gets me through the rough times and makes me love the good ones even more. It's the sole thing in my life that I can be sure of. There's always a particular song that will suit my state of mind. And it never fails.
I want to share that with you, if you're willing. I'll play my music and you can sit back and enjoy. I might write something about each song and about how it makes me feel. And maybe you feel the same way. Or you don't. Either way, I hope that each and everyone of you can find what you're looking for. Whether it be in music, or not...
I leave for the moment with one of my favourite songs and hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
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