A Better Place to Be..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNz9MhrzDfo
Harry Chapin was a great singer of sad songs..
I "discovered" Harry when we were given tickets to a small venue performance at Georgetown University ..
Registered Member
A Better Place to Be..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNz9MhrzDfo
Harry Chapin was a great singer of sad songs..
I "discovered" Harry when we were given tickets to a small venue performance at Georgetown University ..
Charter Member
Another favorite. This is by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and to my ear the finest version of this lovely piece. James Horner left us far too soon
In my archives, I have many recordings by orchestras in eastern Europe, the majority of which were done prior to the collapse of the USSR. They made these recordings as a way of supplementing their income. During my years in Montreal I would come home on Friday nights. In the Dorval Terminal there was a store that had a collection of these works on cassette tapes. I would buy one or two every Friday night---I never regretted buying any of them. The cost was more than reasonable and the quality excellent.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
"Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis
Registered Member
Two from one of my favorites, the Fabulous Thunderbirds......Ben
The future is forged on the anvil of history...The interpreter of history wields the hammer... - Unknown author...
Charter Member
In an email to patrons of our local symphony (Williamsport Pa) our conductor who recently returned from conducting the St Petersburg Russia Symphony offered the following comment which I thought appropriate to share in this thread:
"Without music, life would be a mistake," Nietzsche, the great poet and philosopher
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
"Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis
Charter Member
In other conversations, I have followed that quote with the observation that "strict Muslim doctrine abhors and criminalizes music. Life in Muslim lands is a mistake."
...............
“You can vote your way into socialism, but you have to shoot your way out.” — Too fundamental to have an attribution
Charter Member
Some songs hold a special honor for me, not always based on tremendous technical or artistic composition but something in the lyrics connects on a personal basis.
One such song; In the Living Years is one of those for me. My father was, to put it mildly, a stern task master and our relationship was held together by rather thin threads. I heard this song for the first time (or at least the first I actually "heard" the song) the morning my father died.
For those of you who still having living parents there is a lesson to he learned here.
And to add a bit of levity to this I have included a picture that was on Amazon Prime today as an advertisement, I removed the text but had to save the picture since an instant smile came to my face when I looked at it, may it do the same for you.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
"Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis
Registered Member
Thanks, Dave...Very timely too in this election season...My Mom and I are polar opposites in the political arena, and I've noticed myself biting my tongue to keep from saying something in haste...
I'll go by and see her today......Ben
The future is forged on the anvil of history...The interpreter of history wields the hammer... - Unknown author...
Charter Member
One of my all time favorite musicals is Les Misérables and one of the greatest songs is Stars song by Philip Quast in the 10th Anniversary Concert.
Another great song done by Colm Wilkinson is Bring Him Home.
....and before I go---Ruthie Henshall---I Dreamed a Dream.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
"Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis
Charter Member
Oh, that is wonderful!Originally Posted by Dave Grubb
I came to Les Misérables late, only when the movie came out. The production in the movie was terrific, but they chose to go with actors who could sing a bit rather than singers who could act a bit. The stunning music carried the day, and I loved it, but it wasn't until I bought the DVD with the YouTube performances Dave posted that I got to hear the production first class. Each of the singers is supurb, and, of course, they have hundreds of performances of their song to lend to their perfection. Wolverine was decent in the villain role, but Quast with that rich baritone that I love here as the villain is thrilling. No comparison, and the voice of Wilkerson against the fine acting of Russel Crowe (one of my favorites) is not even close.
Some day I hope to attend the stage performance where it will all be as intended.
...............
“You can vote your way into socialism, but you have to shoot your way out.” — Too fundamental to have an attribution
Charter Member
You have to do that Joe! I have never seen the movie but have no desire to either---on the other hand I will see the play every chance I get. The only "bad" thing of seeing the play is that I know when the end is coming---and I don't want it to stopSome day I hope to attend the stage performance where it will all be as intended.
Added in edit:
Another great artist who played Jean Valjean is Alfie Boe (Alfred Giovanni Roncalli), here with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
As an aside, I spent extensive time working in Italy, much of it in the small town of Falignio in the region of Umbria. I "lived" at the Villa Roncalli the 17th century home of the Roncalli family. Another famous Roncalli: Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, AKA Pope John the 23
Last edited by Dave Grubb; 07-30-2016 at 09:06 AM.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
"Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis
Charter Member
During my Utah years I was introduced to another musical jewel that I had not previously known: The Orchestra at Temple Square here performing "A Night in Vienna: Music of Haydn, Mozart, and Strauss."
I guess when you share a house (and stage) with the likes of the The Mormon Tabernacle Choir it is easy to become lost in the noise.
Much to my wife's disappointment they were performing across the street in a venue that did not do them full justice while their normal venue was being redone.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
"Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis
Charter Member
Too rich for my blood. I spent a vacation on the Isle of Capri 25 years ago in an apartment on that island. The apartment could best be described as what we would call an "efficiency apartment" with fold down bed, etc. I was told our host paid over a million dollars then for the place, which was in a building several hundred years old, but in a prime location in one of the world's elite spots. I imagine the villa you occupied was unbelievably and unattainably expensive.
...As an aside, I spent extensive time working in Italy, much of it in the small town of Falignio in the region of Umbria. I "lived" at the Villa Roncalli the 17th century home of the Roncalli family. Another famous Roncalli: Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, AKA Pope John the 23
Italy remains our destination of choice. Unfortunate, my wife's condition makes long travel impossible.
...............
“You can vote your way into socialism, but you have to shoot your way out.” — Too fundamental to have an attribution
Charter Member
I was not paying the bills, they were paid by the company. The Villa has an excellent restaurant and also about a dozen hotel rooms. I would normally only dine there one or two nights a week. When you are surrounded by the magnitude of fabulous dining options the last thing you want to do is fall into a "rut".
One small drawback with dining there was that dinner began at 8 and never ended before 11. While every minute of that was marvelous, during the week my day began at 5 the next morning. I like to think that atmosphere is not all that important---but the Villa is one of those places that make me forget that---and enjoy the value in it. Most of the ceilings were vaulted and covered with frescoes.
I have attached a few photos of the interior and also the court yard---I loved to get back from the plant by about 7 and sit silently in the court yard while sipping a vino locale with classical or opera in the background. BTW--the chairs seen in the dining room were made by Knoll who I worked for.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
"Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis
Charter Member
I can accurately say that I have never had a bad meal in Italy.
...............
“You can vote your way into socialism, but you have to shoot your way out.” — Too fundamental to have an attribution
Charter Member
I don't believe they coexist. Even the plant cafeteria served exceptional food---and on every table, three bottles, one of water, one white wine and one red wine--and when they got low they were immediately filled. In my extensive time there I never saw anyone who appeared to have drank too much. An interesting little twist, if you did not provide lunch for your employees in the plant you had to give them a minimum of two hours off so they could go home.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
"Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
