“ Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.” (Beethoven) Music has always been important to me, something I’ve valued beyond words because words could never express my feelings adequately enough. Whether classical or jazz whether gospel or blues, music has always been with me to celebrate and inform my journey through this life. … Continue reading Music – A higher revelation
Category: Music
Effect of music on us – Why so big?
Listening to music is an extremely popular activity. Whether we favour classical or rock music, jazz or popular bands and soloists, we spend good money buying CDs, attending concerts and downloading music files to listen to our favourite pieces and artists. But why is the effect of music so significant if it consists of a … Continue reading Effect of music on us – Why so big?
What’s it all about, Alfie?
Dionne Warwick sings What’s it all about, Alfie? The song asks : “What’s it all about, Alfie? Is it just for the moment we live? What’s it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?” Why the words of resonate The music has a great melody but the words also resonate if you happen to … Continue reading What’s it all about, Alfie?
Uplifting surprise
On the 130th anniversary of the founding of Banco Sabadell, homage was paid to their city by means of the campaign “Som Sabadell” (We are Sabadell) . This is the flashmob that was arranged as a final culmination with the participation of 100 people from the Vallès Symphony Orchestra, the Lieder, Amics de l’Òpera and … Continue reading Uplifting surprise
Fidelio: A Critic’s Disappointment.
Welsh National Opera Production
Hippodrome Theatre Birmingham 12/11/10
Future performances will be at Llandudno, Southampton, and Oxford.
At the outset I’ve got to say the other night’s performance of the opera Fidelio by Beethoven in Birmingham was a disappointment for me. This despite the inspirational nature of the music as a rousing, triumphant affirmation of the belief that the most important human qualities – love, courage and kindness – can exist in even the most inhuman of conditions. It is a story about a woman who disguises herself as a man working in a prison in order to save her husband who is languishing there through no fault of his own.
There were both tender intimate scenes and highly charged choruses. However, the emotional impact of the performance on me was lacking. The singing was first class and the soloists in particular deserve admiration given the great vocal skill and endurance demanded of them by the score. But to my mind the acting of the performers seemed wooden. What little movement on the stage seemed to happen in slow motion.