northie

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 ...

... which is to come with me, the one and only current queen. Hello again, shiny! Mine

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 … ).

Sighs happily ...

My behalf, you mean ... Thanks, birdie! Mine

The valiant bard trips forth full armed His quill, it never stops. He beats his foe with nouns and verbs Which on their head he drops.

The wily bard's a conscience gained His halo shines so bright, All who come to steal Val's shiny Will have a bruising fight.

[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.

Wouldn't that depend on the cause?

Now that would be telling, wouldn't it ... No spoilers allowed. The only thing I'd say is that I'm the teller of this tale and not the bard ... ('comeuppance' is such a wonderful, old-fashioned word.)

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.

No - you're mistaken, Emi. Good Queen Northie is what you meant. Mine

Thanks, Emi! I've 'fallen' for the bard? Hmm, you may want to revisit this after Part 2 ... btw you do realise you're in the wrong place for the shiny ...

I wrote something to cheer up our friend Parker after his upsetting weekend. I had enormous fun writing it while also teaching myself about meter, rhythm and rhyme. In this case, they're all based on ones found in northern ballads; what set this off in particular was Chevy Chase, one of the Border ballads. I should warn you that what resulted has the heft and weight of a meringue but hopefully will still be enjoyable ... (It may help to know that we both play Last Post Wins ) 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. Part 2 to follow in due course ... Any comments (good or bad) will be appreciated!

Nope - you're the one having the hallucinations. Have a nice, long sleep in the nice, dark sack. Shiny and I are going to be long gone...

I already have so much of yours to review ... *adds another one to the growing list ...*

OK ... I suppose you could have a point - but it's pretty immaterial as you're still in the sack and I still have the shiny.

Who are you calling 'evil'? I'm not evil - I'll be a picture of benevolence if you just hand over the shiny. Hesitating? OK... *Bundles the lemur into a sack, having first removed the shiny.* Mine

The current queen returns! I'll have my shiny back, thanks. *Snatches from the sleep-deprived lemur*

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.