And breathe again!
Janet Baker is an artist of the highest order.
Her utter technical command and her ability to unerringly find emotional truth resulted in a legendary career garlanded with landmark recordings and never to be forgotten stage performances.
Her performance of, ‘Che faro senza Euridice’ will live with me always as I make my journey through the dark wood.
Spirit refreshing music courtesy of Bach one of the supreme artists.
His works will enter your consciousness like a pebble dropped into a pond with ever widening circles of effect.
Julian Bream is another musician with, ‘The Touch’.
Music played by Bream flows purely and naturally from his fingers to our hearts.
Devotees of Chopin and his piano works, especially The Nocturnes, can spend long hours debating which great pianist has searched their depths most successfully.
I have never wavered in my conviction that the magical recordings made by Claudio Arrau must wear the crown.
His version of The Nocturnes has the quality of meditative prayer.
Herbert Howells music has an English reticence which belies the oceanic depths of feeling it can summon from the listener.
His, ‘A Spotless Rose’ especially when sung with the aching purity of The New College Oxford Choir tenderly ushers the cosmic into our mortal consciousness.
For music to take you away from the daily tumult I offer you a precious work of the heart.
‘A Stor mo Chroi’ as performed by The Voice Squad (Phil Callery, Fran McPhail and Gerry Cullen) insists that we each attend to what is truly important in all our lives; the love we offer and the love we share.
Where else is your treasure to be found?
Jukebox Jive
This is the last Post of 2017.
Many thanks to all my readers and followers and especially those who take the time to comment.
I was touched by so many good wishes at Christmas and for New Year and such kind words about The Jukebox.
When I started The Jukebox I little thought I would find so many kindred spirits!
Lovely piece, Thom. Can’t beat Julian Bream and my late father swore by Arrau, who was among his favorite pianists. One of my desert island discs would probably be this one (not Chopin, but close) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMRlopp-yys
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry for very late reply. I’m going to write more off piste posts. Regards thom
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thom Hope things are going ok with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fine. Thanks for asking. I’m in twitter exile but the jukebox flies on!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to know that. Will keep an eye out om here from now on to keep up
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good man.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thought this one might interest you – https://www.toppermost.co.uk/mike-seeger/
LikeLike
Thanks a lot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you and your family are staying well. Thought this one might interest you – https://www.toppermost.co.uk/sean-o-riada/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thom – just wondering how you are doing. This new Toppermost piece on ‘Gatemouth’ – https://www.toppermost.co.uk/clarence-gatemouth-brown/ – reminded me of your great post on him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I read your posts -spasmodically I must confess, and to my regret, and too often find myself promising I will listen later. Half an hour a week? I have so many half hours I could use so much more fruitfully! A habit I can and will change! thank you for providing the opportunity to re-learn a familiar lesson. And thank you for your blog. You educate me, you inspire me and you provide much pleasure. I so admire not only your depth of music knowledge but the pleasure you give me in art and poetry. Namaste.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks very much
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have brought so much enjoyment with your jukebox. Looking forward to sharing this WordPress world with you in 2018.
LikeLiked by 2 people