I’m on violin.
Author Archives: userdavid15
Diary – 3
Wondering if I am really going to use this site. Mobile phone is still not found – mysterious. Could still be used for notes on translations, reflections, etc. Ionos have increased the monthly charge to £12.
Diary – 2
At SCVS pizza lunch in Queenborough. Louise and the group. I got the MIDI connector fitted up correctly. Can transcribe piano. Mobile phone disappeared. Mysterious. Car in garage. New gearbox. Waiting.
Diary
I am going to keep a small diary. For everyday things. Like the car being out of service – it may need a new gearbox, and that’s likely to be expensive. What do you do without a car? Use cabs. Use home delivery. Get a new car. I have a mild toothache. Stress-related. Work on …
Mahler – His Time Has Come
Leonard Bernstein, writing in 1967: What was this duple vision of Mahler’s? A vision of his world, crumbling in corruption beneath its smug surface, fulsome, hypocritical, prosperous, sure of its terrestrial immortality, yet bereft of its faith in spiritual immortality. The music is almost cruel in its revelations: it is like a camera that has …
Gershwin
David Schiff on Misunderstanding Gershwin Never mind that Rhapsody in Blue was scored (not by Gershwin but by Ferde Grofé) to show off the distinctive talents of a “jazz” band that is dead and gone. Classical musicians feel obliged to replicate the sound of the original—an exercise in channeling, not interpretation. Yes, the Chicago Symphony …
Affinities
Dotted crotchet quaver (‘heartbeat’) in Andante comodo (Movt. 1) of Mahler Symphony No. 9 (1909): ‘Heartbeat’ in Strauss Tod und Verklärung (1889): Fanfare: Mahler: Strauss:
Still getting better
There was a warm spell, but the weather has gone back to cold and windy again. I’ve been out in the garden, doing various tasks and digging a vegetable plot. Just got a new MacBook Air, which looks identical to my MacBook Pro, but has a bigger hard drive and a better keyboard. I’m still …
Feeling better
After my spell in hospital, and a few weeks’ recovery, I’m feeling a lot better. Still being looked after by a team of carers, but I’m able to do most things for myself, and drive the car to the shops. Looking forward to some warmer weather, when it finally decides to arrive.
Van Gogh’s Ear
Am working on a translation of ‘Van Goghs øre’ from ‘Lyden af skyer’ VAN GOGH’S EAR The unknown Vincent van Gogh settles in the Yellow House in Arles on the recommendation of his brother Theo, Vincent paints under a wild sun, is intoxicated by the landscape there. There is no colour that does not …