What are you listening to now? MKII

I think we can kick this one off with a bit of Ebeneeer Goode. Lavellyyy

 

Part two. Die Walkre. The Valkeries a more familiar epic to non classical music listeners. Well worth investing your time, best when alone uninterrupted. It is time to finish another legal studies assignment, this time based upon a Live event. A school shooting incident and the question of ultimate liability. I simply submit a hypothetical report with opinion on law to the United States Attorney General as to how far I would go. Needless to say, I cannot go further on this platform as it being a Live case.

 

The French Horns, those Curly Whirly brass instruments with a big bell end and a mellow sound typically of alpine music of the past. Players usually place a fist in the bell to muffle the harsher tones. A nicer sound there never was.

I, regretfully, cannot warm to Rock music because I was never exposed to it early enough. Same with the other modern types Garage, House, Indy, and whatever else is lurking out there. My A level in music was about the history and structure of music through to the 19th century and along the way, an appreciation.

 

It wouldn't be a study night without a dose of Baroque music. As it was my area of interest at school, and my instrumental area, I chose Giovanni Gabrieli ( 1556-1612 ), of Vienna.

A master of orchestration with the instruments of the time, Brass ensembles or choirs, no violins to corrupt the effects of the sounds in a venue with echoing, best with headphones. If in doubt, think Henry VIII and Tudor England.

Under the TELARC label, The glory of Gabrieli, Antiphonal music for Brass Choirs .

I highly recommend it. Available on Amazon.

 

Still studying, a difficult legal conflict needing some in depth reading so I am listening to Henry Purcell and his Funeral music for Queen Mary. Centuries old but still magnificent.

 

I have moved on to the Third Symphony of Bruckner, a massive composition heavy on Brass. My law studies have hit a barrier, separating the US and UK. My Achilles weakness. Constitutional law crosses boundaries whilst specific jurisdictions fight to preserve their own.

The United States have 50 sovereign States and have their own Senate's and congress. Each to their own. Only if considered beneficial, can a law be passed to the Federal State that resides in Washington DC.

 

Bruckner Symphony no. 3, a massive piece of work. Classical education is beneficial but it is magnificent. I sincerely recommend the first movement, sets up for the remainder of the symphony. Please give it a moment of your time. I further recommend the third movement. Very dynamic in a classical sense.

 

Pink Floyd - Shine on You Crazy Diamond (here, performed live in Pompeii 2016, by David Gilmour - former Guitarist with Pink Floyd)

This piece of music is one of two on the album 'Wish You Were Here' (the other being the title song 'Wish You Were Here') about Syd Barrett. Syd was one of the founder members of Pink Floyd, but left the band due to mental health issues. Sadly, Syd passed away some years ago from pancreatic cancer.

If you've watched any TV documentaries on nature over the last 40 years or so, you will be familiar with the start of this piece.

Kevin

 

AC/DC - For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)

From the delicate beauty of Pink Floyd, to the driving rock of AC/DC. AC/DC being the masters of the 'Guitar Riff'. Like my food, I'm not scared of my music being 'spicy'!

Kevin

 

I, regretfully, cannot warm to Rock music because I was never exposed to it early enough.

Bruckner Symphony no. 3, a massive piece of work. Please give it a moment of your time.

You ask me to listen to your recommended piece of music, but dismiss mine without apparently giving it the time of day (well, a little over 7 minutes to be more accurate - 'Rainbow Eyes'). It's a beautiful, delicate piece and I doubt anything like you class rock music to be.

In the 'Stargazing' thread, you state 'I struggle to see what good comes from looking backwards in time' (sorry, I cant seem to multi quote across threads), but isn't that exactly what you're doing. listening to classical music written hundreds of years ago?

I'm open minded, and will give any genre of music a try (except, Opera. To me it's the musical equivalent of 'dragging fingernails down a blackboard'. And yes, I have been exposed to it from a young age as my parents would sometimes listen to it in the car). I hate it!

If you wish me to listen to your recommendations, you also need to be open to those of mine.

Kevin

 

Rush - Losing It

A beautiful and delicate song, from the album 'Signals', regarding coming to terms with growing older. Rush touch on this in a couple of their songs (the other being 'Time Stand Still').

As I've said before, the lyrics of Rush, written by the late Neil Peart (also the bands drummer) can be read as poetry. I've included the lyrics below (they're freely available on the internet).

"Losing It"

The dancer slows her frantic pace
In pain and desperation
Her aching limbs and downcast face
Aglow with perspiration

Stiff as wire, her lungs on fire
With just the briefest pause
The flooding through her memory
The echoes of old applause

She limps across the floor
And closes her bedroom door...

The writer stares with glassy eyes
Defies the empty page
His beard is white, his face is lined
And streaked with tears of rage

Thirty years ago, how the words would flow
With passion and precision
But now his mind is dark and dulled
By sickness and indecision

And he stares out the kitchen door
Where the sun will rise no more...

Some are born to move the world
to live their fantasies
But most of us just dream about
The things we'd like to be
Sadder still to watch it die
Than never to have known it
For you, the blind who once could see
The bell tolls for thee...

Kevin

 

I am suitably admonished Kevin. I will stick to what I like listening to and I have tried the other stuff and cannot get inside. The point in my view of Classical is that it endures over the centuries if good enough. As do the Beatles and no doubt, Queen.

 

Led Zeppelin - The Song Remains the Same

I mean.......

 

I think you already know of my appreciation of Led Zeppelin, Ray! The great thing about Led Zeppelin, is that there is no 'typical' Led Zeppelin sound. They are equally at home playing the softest ballads to hard driving rock, stopping off for a little blues rock on the way.

Kevin

 

Led Zeppelin - Achilles Last Stand

That driving drum/bass rhythm is addictive!

Kevin

 

With due deference to more educated members, May I recommend Gustav Mahler symphony no. 2. I am In need currently for spiritual sustenance and this music fits the need entirely. As at usual, headphones are necessary.

 

U2 - New Years Day

Not sure where I got the idea for that from.

Kevin

 

Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell

As a tribute to Meat Loaf, who has sadly passed away today aged 74.

Kevin

 

Bat Out of Hell.....jump in the car.....turn it up loud and drive....where?.....it really doesn't matter.

My favourite Meat Loaf song.

Life is a Lemon and I Want My Money Back

 

Bat Out of Hell.....jump in the car.....turn it up loud and drive....where?.....it really doesn't matter.

Absolutely! Great, great driving music.

Kevin

 

Ray, that is down to be played at my funeral (as well as a number of others). I believe in planning ahead and have changed my music choices on a regular basis but this track remains constant.