northie

In the fond hope that someone might just listen to one of my choices .... Is my musical taste really that weird? *sigh* I shall carry on, regardless ... First up: Erik Satie Trois gymnopedies And the first opera by Monteverdi, L'Orfeo. A wonderful favourite of mine I shall await the avalanche of replies (or maybe not ... I'm sure I've something else to do instead).

I'm very, very happy you've changed your mind but I'm sad and angry that 'hate' was the reason for your state of mind. Here's to much more poetry, prose and blogs!

Tim, your voice is distinctive - gritty, truthful and full of what is most important to you. The fact that other people (me included) write lighter stuff doesn't lessen or denigrate that distinctiveness. There is room for all voices and that includes yours. Please take time to reconsider.

A wonderful read, Tim! Despite your 'fini', it feels as though it could continue.

I recognise this list. Not all of it - but enough ... Particularly the cleaning or indeed any housework.

The pictures started coming almost immediately (I didn't have to work at them like I have to sometimes) followed very soon after by the emotions. Memories (images) of young people at that time of their lives do seem to be sunlit (in every way) and the contrast with the monochrome drabness of deep winter is stark and if not actually upsetting, certainly a cause for your reflections. In your profession, whether their lives were short or long, your memories will be of that time - I don't know whether that's a blessing or not ... They shall not grow old ...

I love the opening two lines with the mixing of the senses. It had the effect of making me stop and assess, or trying to imagine your word picture instead of just gliding over the words with barely a hesitation. Three different senses all employed to the same end ... Wow!

The bard does live but with great debts, Both Queen and knight to pay. To serve them both will be his life For each and every day. Thank you both for your praise.

This is the second (and concluding) part to my ballad which I wrote to cheer a friend up. If you haven't read part 1, you can find it here: http://www.gayauthors.org/forums/blog/664/entry-16410-the-bards-pursuit-1-an-l-p-w-ballad/ As a reminder, it's loosely based on elements of Last Post Wins, a popular game here on GA. I had enormous fun writing this and I hope you enjoy it. The bard's pursuit (Part 2) The bard he came straight to the Queen And found her quite alone. Her crown it shone with gold so bright He cursed and stopped a moan. He so desired to snatch the prize His head did swim with greed; The lust he felt was red and hot And drove him to the deed. The Queen looked up and saw the bard, She fixed him with her glare. Her icy calm and regal look Near stopped his traitorous dare. The evil man, he honed his tongue Foul havoc for to wreak, His words, all fell and steeped in blood, Were on his lips to speak. One cough was heard and then a bark, A chirp, a fearsome growl. The bard he chittered, honked and squeaked And gave forth one lone howl. “Feel my power, you wretched man!” The Queen she said wth glee. “Your voice has lost its magic spell And has no hold on me.” He growled and whined, then sobbed and sighed, His life it had no worth. He would not live so long to see A last night on this earth. The Queen called forth her knights so bold, Who should have been her guard. A single man before her stood, The wretched, speechless bard. One knight did know the bard full well, His heart from love did bleed. He stood before the Queen and said: “Pray, spare his life, I plead.” The knight, he pled his cause with skill And never a vengeful thought. This man his eyes had opened wide, Love's ways had he been taught. The Queen she sat in judgement long, Then gave forth her reply: “This man, I see, means much to you I cannot let him die.” The bard could scarce believe his ears, He kissed his saviour's hand. He looked up at the Queen and said, “I wait for your command.” “Beg pardon of my knight so fair,” The Queen she said with force. “You spurned this man most heartlessly Yet love does through him course.” “This crown is not for you to take It is the Queen's alway. Now go you forth and do good deeds In memory of this day.”

I really should have known better than to read this at lunch time - although I had finished eating, thank goodness! Wonderfully gross - your descriptions of the food are the opposite of mouthwatering. Thank you!

Welcome back, Val! Thanks for this - I've just finished Part 2 and sent it off.

I hope so - and I'm having so much fun writing it and learning about the poet's craft at the same time. Not bad for a meringue!

John Tavener is well known as a composer of choral music but what I've chosen is in effect a cello concerto - The protecting veil. Like virtually all of his later works, it has religious overtones but can be enjoyed by everyone. I heard this performed live in a cathedral setting soon after its first performance and it transported me: the ethereal and ecstatic first section is just amazing. This link is to a shortish commentary by Tavener on various infuences on his musical life.

This, I feel, is one of the reasons why I don't like much of the instrumental music of the mid C19. I've probably seen and read much more than I've heard but, yes, virtuosity seems to win hands down, everything else is subordinate. The composer / performers knew their audiences and this sort of music was what kept them in the public eye (as well as paying the bills).

I know all of these (including the Lobo) although I haven't listened to a couple for some time. The Tallis is my favourite, I think, out of this list - it is a piece I would really like to sing sometime.

A friend has had a trying August (his words) - so, to cheer him up, I started writing this ballad. It is loosely based on elements of Last Post Wins, a popular game on GA. It is a fun piece with the consistency of a meringue and the emotional depth of a puddle The bard's pursuit (Part 1) A grasping bard did gold desire, He plotted all the while. He drained his cup all through the night And thought with all his guile. One cool, bright morn he hurried forth And thought he had a plan. He'd schemed and plotted wicked things As only a rhymer can. The crown he sought was of the Queen Whose knights were fair and strong. The cunning man had only words All fancy, short and long. The bard did walk close by the gate And hailed a knight within, 'Good sir, pray let me in full speed I have love's heart to win.' The knight looked at the man in front And what he saw was fair. To let him through would be a crime And that he did not dare. The cunning bard let loose his tongue, He flattered with all his might. He sang sweet songs of love and praise And made all wrongs seem right. The knight he blushed as pink as dawn And then he felt a kiss - So sweet with love and tender care, His heart was full of bliss. He sighed full long then gave the word And let the man straight in. The wily bard him spurned, then ran, The shiny for to win. He sought the queen throughout the court Her knights he kept at bay. He wreathed himself in smiles of love, They stood not in his way. The bard at last he found the queen And thought, 'The crown is mine! I am its rightful owner now, No more shall it be thine.' Part 2 will follow in due course ...

Tim, we write what we write (that 'we' has made me smile ). My latest thing has the substance of meringue and the emotional depth of a puddle but it's what I felt moved to write. I look around at other poets, wistfully sometimes, knowing that I will never be able to write as they do. It's like wanting all prose fiction to be the same – we expect that to range from the super-light to the dark, dense, or sad. Your writing upsets me sometimes but so it should – you've had life experiences which no-one would wish for. If it helps you, write about it and so share your determination to live your life and your love as you hope. It may not make for pretty, witty verse – so what? I always read your poems with interest. (I know I'm behind with my reviews … ).

[I make no apology for starting my review the same way as another one I wrote earlier.] You already know the effect these had on me - that on its own tells you how I regard them ... Me, I wield a camera at almost every opportunity; you wonderfully remove the need for such technology. Such compact high-res word pictures - they tell me so much! Snapshot: soft rain murmurs secrets to the birches, misty morning observations at dawn; inside, blazing logs chatter pointedly, cracking witticisms about a cool August. This is far and away my favourite: I think it's the combination of sound and picture. I am so glad that these wonderful poems were my catalyst.

You already know the effect these had on me - that on its own tells you how I regard them ... The pictures of loving domesticity are wonderful - documenting a day spent with such affection. I think the last one is my favourite. Thank you for these and their alchemy.

If, like me, you get a 'video not available' on Parker's link, try this one instead (I hope it's the same piece ... )

As someone taking my first steps as a poet in my native language, I have great respect and admiration for you, Emi. You write wonderful verse and the fact that you manage to do so in a foreign language only increases your success.

Rameau is also one of my favourites. I love the musicality and rhythmic drive of the many dances which occur in the operas. The recording I have of Dardanus is live and the life-affirming joy of the music is palpable. Here is a slightly more staid performance of the Suite from Dardanus.

I also like the version for choir, Agnus Dei.

As I was reading this, I was thinking: harp music? Glad I was right. You can tell which songs or arias were real hits in the second quarter of the C19 by how many of these sorts of fantasies or sets of variations were produced for either harp or piano. Interesting to hear instead of seeing on the page.

This is just my public acknowledgement of what this meant to me. Thank you, AC. (And the choices were spot on, as well.)