Un Vignoble

I'm not sure how many people were in attendance on the final night of a three day wine and music festival called 'Le Son du Vignoble',  but it was beyond my expectations, as was the parking.  It was smart that I did not go in my chic dress and heeled sandals  - 'les talons',  as we had to trek across a field that looked as if in wet weather it would be water logged.

It was the 4th year.  I didn't realise that and hadn't understood that one could spend the day there and take a picnic.  I don't remember information telling me how much it would be, so thankfully I took monetary notes! Like many experiences in France I discover BEAUTY.  This was an interesting evening!
A 14e entrance fee provided me with a tampon (= an inky rubber stamp! The difference in language is always amusing!) stamped on my arm, a ticket and an inscribed glass.  This is civilised France and I didn't see any broken glass! Long may it last!  It wouldn't happen in UK!  Far too dangerous!  In the glass was a paper token for the first glass of wine. Thereafter one exchanged euros for jetons (plastic disks) which could be exchanged for wine, juice or food.  Pretty neat idea!  I haven't been to Music Festivals so had no idea how it all works.

I am not sufficiently knowledgeable to comment on the musicians. The Healthy Boy played for the first concert in the garden. It was nice as the sun was shining, children were playing far away under the orchard trees, people sat and listened nicely.  I found the echo system of repeating and overlaying phrases played by a single guitar a bit much for me. I was really impressed when the SOUND man for The Healthy Boy was doing it all on an ipad!
The second concert was by Thomas Fersen who is well known in France and I think hails from Bretagne. That was under a huge hangar. I could not understand the poetic nature of his music.
HOWEVER
I love Ampelidae wines especially Pinot Noir, which is why I went all that distance.  It took me an hour plus to do the journey so didn't get home until the early hours but did buy a case of 6 Pinot Noir to indulge the Summer.
These organic wines are sold in our village shop. It's been a long while since I set forth into that terroir.  I had forgotten how rich it is on many levels. I went to Marigny Brizay for a dégustation in about 2008 when the company were just getting better developed.  The enthusiasm of Kate the proprietor of the Chateau and Frédèric were palpable... such enthusiasm poured from their hearts... we were shown the vignes, the cuves,the cellars and part of the chateau and generally the group we were in were keenly welcomed and indulged.  That was then.

Last night, as I sat by the bar,  I found again that warmth and trust in their mission to create quality organic wines. Then along comes Kate who seemed to remember me and I enjoyed speaking to friends of hers from London, who worked in the technological domain.
I could not avoid listening to a discussion that a french lady had with an expert behind the bar, about the effects of citric and tartaric acids used in white wines causing muscle cramp.  She could not drink white wine because of this.  He suggested Pinot Noir and a massage.. at which point I was included in the conversation by laughter.  Not many moments later she brought her female friend who had not believed her to listen to the expert explain, at which point I was very much more included in the exchange.
An attractive man discussed with the same sommelier the connection between passion, oenology, trust, horses and the natural world. I was astounded at the intellectual discussion which I only in part understood,, but then the chevalier and I discussed in English.  Only in France does this level of Passion seem so tangible, yet it makes me feel so ignorant, humble and questioning as to why on earth I stayed within the four walls of an educational establishment much of my life, seemingly trying to educate, failing to educate myself, and generally wasting precious life!  Mind you, the pace of technology has brought about so much magic to the world that who can keep up with it!?
I sat where I did at the end of the bar, perched on the end of a table feeling comfortable and safe as a single woman, occasionally having interesting conversations, maintaining French as much as possible. I discovered the sommelier was part English/French/German. As I have said his passion and knowledge for oenology was fascinating as I concentrated on listening to improve my language skills.   I had two tokens left but he offered me a glass of the new Rosé which was the BEST rose wine I have tasted..... SO I wish to buy a case for Summer and friends!  THEN, he gave me a glass of PN 1328 -- which is named after 'une parcelle' of land.  This was such a fantastic wine and I did just sip and sip.  I'd like a case of hat too! The palate can taste the difference between wines even if one has tasted others before. And with that, when the music ended,  I came home to hot chocolate and bed, sensing that I had possibly missed a marvellous opportunity because friends from Toulouse called the chevalier to travel on. Probably just as well!

Nightingale hovering high

A friend recently led me to be listening to THE MOODY BLUES... and whilst I was listening to the lyrics of Voices in The Sky  I heard a reference to the nightingale...
I am somewhat obsessed by its song this year as the bird is immediately at the end of my garden most of all night and most of all day!!! Maybe there is more than one.
This particular video is lovely to look at if you wish to meditate on the images and song...
It is amazing how creative people are!

"Voices In The Sky"

Bluebird, flying high
Tell me what you sing
If you could talk to me
What news would you bring
Of voices in the sky

Nightingale, hovering high
Harmonize the wind
Darkness, your symphony
I can hear you sing
Of voices in the sky

Just what is happening to me
I lie awake with the sound of the sea
Calling to me

Old man, passing by
Tell me what you sing
Though your voice be faint
I am listening
Voices in the sky

Children with a skipping rope
Tell me what you sing
Play time is nearly gone
The bell's about to ring
Voices in the sky

Just what is happening to me
I lie awake with the sound of the sea
Calling to me

Bluebird, flying high
Tell me what you sing
If you could talk to me
What news would you bring
Of voices in the sky
Voices in the sky
Voices in the sky
Voices in the sky

The thrill is gone....

but the music will live on for generations to come...
with thanks to all those other marvellous musicians who discovered B.B.King...
and so my little tribute is
With respect...  to the master, a man who crossed boundaries...
and to all those with whom he played.

Preludes & Fugues afore Mowing the Lawn

Again there are concerts at Bonneuil-Matours. This year I paid 15e subscription which entitles me to pay 15e for each concert instead of 22e. I thought I was vieillese at 7e ... Maybe I have that wrong! I am still young!  I will have to ask discreetly of the proprietor of the chateau and organiser of these wonderful concerts! Sometimes I am very happy to pay full price.
Last evening was a marathon concert of the 2nd book of 48 Preludes and Fugues by JS BACH. The pianist played two clavichords as well as piano. The clavichord is remarkably quiet and one imagined being in a tiny drawing room heavily curtained against a cold draught, with friends and family gathered around to listen or to play their turn or to be accompanied in song or other instrument.  The loudness of the piano was extreme after one's ears had become atuned to the delicate sound, akin to a hand held music box with a handle that turns ... a tinny sound!
I took my piano score. I heard this pianist play the 1st book. He played in order 1st, 2nd, 3rd on the piano, but last evening he played the second 24 in random order which kept me on my toes to find the correct prelude and fugue by listening to / reading the opening bars on the contents page ... with little light it was tricky. I realised I am well out of practice to score reading.  I remembered we had to read symphonic scores at secondary school and prove to the teacher the progress of the music by running our finger along the score.
A few  of the pieces I knew as I have attempted to play them. They are not easy. The pianist had good concentration, stamina, technique and ability.  A lecturer and teacher.  Kindly and humble. 
In the break we were offered a bowl of tomato soup... nice! I was reminded that I haven't had Heinz Tomato soup for years!  It was French and tomatoes were difficult to identify! There was also Chinese tea.. which tasted of licorice and maybe ginger but it was very weak...plus little pieces of the local biscuit Broyé.  I sampled the wine from a 2 litre bottle of Lussac St Emilion 2003... hm 'un peu vinaigré'... but it was better once I'd warmed it up in my chilly hands!  I left before the encore as I was tired and I'd had a traumatic day ... it had been three and a half hours since I arrived at 19h. Drove home, with only one car sighted travelling in the opposite direction!

My lawnmower has been repaired< The facture wasn't ready for payment so he said he would send it in the post. This is most unusual in France but he said he trusts me! The mower is about to launch into its 4th season and every winter I have paid about 85e for a service... the first year and last it hit stones so it needed the blade to be sharpened.  In the first year the lawn was newly growing or cut down from 3 feet of growth... and last year the moles were very bad at throwing up a lot of stone.  BUT this year I have had to have the more expensive service with a change of filter and new accelerator cable. I was ready for battle if he charges me for the latter!!!  It only mows about 500m2 each 7 to 14 days in the cutting season so I don't understand why it has been so needy!!!!!   The specialist shop where I bought it, has taken six weeks to repair it.  I would have liked it last week when the grass was dry and before that I was not well enough but the French aren't very quick with their turnarounds and business!  When I phoned on Thursday I was told it had just been finished! It is a John Deere machine. I think it was a Friday afternoon machine!  Hey ho and off to mow as soon as the weather improves.

This year at the end of my other terrain there is a heavy perfume from swathes of violets. They haven't been there before.  Maybe they have liked the grass kept short over the last five years. I try to keep it manageable.   My neighbour was impressed by their appearance.  I ought to spend more time down there in the evening as the garden bathes for longer in the setting sun than does my courtyard!

Each little bird that sings...

In Praise of my daughter's birth this day in 1978.  

May she grow ever strong 

Singing melody in song

Aloud from treetops high

In a beautiful clear sky.

Sing little bird with all your might

Fly with feathers very light

Do not carry any weight

Search the earth for sunny lands... 

This is a heritage song from my father's sister: Ivy Evelyn Shaw. It was a favourite of hers. It was a favourite of mine at my own primary school and when I taught in a Catholic school. I loved to play hymns on the piano for 120 children to sing.  My daughter was one of the throng. Hence, this song is my song for her and her daughter too.

All Things Bright and Beautiful

Ce­cil F. Al­ex­an­der

Hymns for Lit­tle Child­ren, 1848

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
He made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

The purple headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
To gather every day.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful
The Lord God made them all.

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

THANK YOU GOD FOR HER LIFE WITHIN MY LIFE x

Only in France are there such surprises

At classical music concerts in small but beautiful venues in France I am aware of being absorbed by sound, especially if I can watch the hands of the pianist or player.  It is a form of meditation - concentrating, listening to melodies, support melodies, harmonies, rhythms, phrases, rarely counting or trying to analyse musical form, which I have forgotten entirely. The black sequined culottes  twinkled! One pianist played with facial gymnastics. Was she talking, breathing, or in ecstasy, subsumed in the music, whilst fingers, hands, arms, body and even her foot not touching the sostenuto pedal were dancing in delight as sounds composed sounded on stage! I watched her most of the time as I was on her side of the theatre. She was lovely! They were in raptures. They had no idea of the history of the theatre, spoke English but not French, so I helped out ... a bit!  I'd heard and watched Marina Friedman and Gaby Talroze play four-hand duets before at Bonneuil-Matours.  Russian, yet had emigrated to Israel when teenagers. 

Theatre Blossac Ticket price17e. Programme 2e. Seat number: C6.
The programme included:
Brahms: Variation on a theme of Haydn
Ravel:     Mother Goose Suite
Schubert-Liszt: Soiree de Vienne
Rachmaninov: Suite no.2
They replayed part of Rachmaninov, part of Brahms, then some Bach, (I didn't hear the title) as a wonderful and generous encore.

Afterwards the audience was invited on stage to look at the magnificent double piano by Pleyel - a rare instrument. I have never seen one before!  Only about 30 were made and only about 12 remain. This one resides in the house of its owner in Chatellerault as part of his instrument collection. He was there, explaining a technical aspect of the piano to the pianists who had no idea that it did that! It weighs 700kg and flooring had to be protected as well as re-inforced and made perfectly horizontal as a stage falls to an audience!

Only in France are there such surprises! Lights upstairs, so when I saw those who were sitting next to me ascending, I followed. A long yellow clothed table was presented with plastic glasses filled with red wine, white wine and non-alcoholic drinks, a tray of white sandwich bread adorned with charcuterie and another laden with salmon, oeufs de lompe et tuna. The fresh salmon ones were so delicious that I enjoyed three! Discerning others did too!

 Only in France are there such surprises! A further pièce de resistance was a local biscuit, called a Broyé du Poitou which means ground or crushed. It is delicious and I have had them before. In fact I buy them in the winter to sustain my coffee break but only eat half each day as they are about 10cm in diameter! The steward lady told me that it is a local tradition to break the biscuit with a fist. The pianists and the mayor of their town had such fun! Look how large this one is!

Perhaps symbolic of the breaking of the bread for the Lord's Supper!

 This video will explain in French about the company Goulibeur

It was lovely to be out and about with people and at an Autumn musical concert, to take a promenade around the town beforehand and drive home late at night. Once arriving at the fields of France,vehicles were few at thirty minutes before midnight!
What joy when a window of opportunity opens! Only in France are there such surprises!

This custom is lost, but the ground remains synonymous with conviviality and celebration. Indeed, after the feast (marriage and communion), it was convenient to share in his pocket to snack later and also relate to those who could not come to the meeting, children, ancestors committed; each was entitled to his share of dry cake.

Free bird

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QR28CzONi8

Go to 54.43 for FreeBird

I just love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On track ..

Following the posting Seeing the Beauty,  here are train tracks enjoyed in my life time.  I know there are more!

The Little Train of the Caipira by Villa-Lobos depicts a train journey... it's a Toccata from the Italian Toccare meaning To touch.

My History
When I was a teacher, I devised an art and music lesson for my 6 to 8 year old children. From an old BBC Radio Schools Radio magazine which we ordered to support the listening of such programmes, I told the story linked to specific bars of music. When I read the score and heard it at the same time I could say... "now the train is ..... "  The children always listened intently whenever I played them classical or other music.  Most probably because it was alien to their life experience.  I loved watching their faces...
For this lesson each child received a piece of coloured 'sugar paper' (was it called this because it used to wrap sugar?)  It was almost A2 size... we used to halve the sheets which were usually a pale coloured blue, green, yellow, pink. There were certain colours, like grey and sludgy beige, that teachers didn't want to use...then the tattered and torn sheets that teachers left for someone else to tidy up!  Later, manufacturers produced bright colours like magenta!
Whilst the children listened again and again to the cassette tape or vinyl in those days, they would draw using acrylic or oil pastels.  I showed them a few techniques on how to use pastels... this I invented!!!!  We sealed their drawings with hair spray! The results from the children were fantastic! Creativity flowed through their Brazilian forests and their artwork matched the music perfectly!

Then I remembered that when I was little my sister and I enjoyed listening to Uncle Mac on BBC Radio 2(see Tim's comment below...my memory for facts is not so good), I think it was, as well as the  The Runaway Train went over the hill and she blew...
My sister and I always used to giggle when the expletive was deleted! It drew less attention if it was ignored! Didn't grown ups realise we had minds as well as ears!

Then that led me to remember The Ballad of Casey Jones. The Grateful Dead published their version of the song in 1970.
I used to teach 11 to 13 year old at a Middle School ... those fishing port 'kids' were quite unruly but seemed to enjoy singing. Music lessons gave the class teacher 'free time' and reprieve from the children's antics!  Most 'kids' didn't much like having music lessons so you could guess the drama!
The secretary printed my handwritten words using a BANDA machine!  You had to use special copy paper which had a blue or black backing.  I loved the smell. I suppose it was a from of methys that was used! I know that the windows had to be opened every time we used the machine ... the handle had to be turned and you could chat to the secretary at the same time watching the numbers whizz round to 30.  Sometimes we had more than 30 kids in a class and at that age they towered above me!
I taught quite a few folk songs because I used my own music books. Mostly in schools was music from fifty years (or so it seemed to me) previous to the 1970s and 1980s!  However, there were some radio music booklets available but only contained the words... so I would have to find the piano music. I detested singing with the radio music when it was much more fun for me and the kids for me to play the piano. I used to slow down and speed up so that they had to keep in time and then I would congratulate those that did! call out their names over the music or just ask x or y to sing the next verse and that made the whole class laugh! At that time we had a brilliant Music Adviser,  David Ingate.  He was great fun when he came to inspect or just drop in... the children loved him to play. He wound them up and then left us with a whirl and in great humour! He was old school but embraced modern methods and I believe he had a lot of respect for the way I was teaching music. I had much respect for him too for he was being forced away from MUSIC to general inspection and who needed that!

I  was at the cutting edge of progressive music teaching. Kids as young as six composed in the classroom...my lessons taught us to listen to and respect someone's attempts to play... maybe one hit on an instrument... or a mad crash, wallop and bang to those who displayed rhythm and melody, who were well co-ordinated.  There wasn't just singing in the classroom. Each child had an instrument!
It wasn't only about music.. but was about self, others, the world and it embraced all subjects as well language. Music is a language!

Oh my gosh that's probably about the first time I have thought positively or written about teaching in the ten years in which I have been retired.  Maybe now I am healed of that trauma when I believe I was treated unfairly.  But what goes around, comes around and I probably was due for 'punishment' for my own naive and vulnerable non-mature, non-adult behaviour when I was over-stressed, over-worked and with no one to advise me on the BIG PICTURE of what was happening! 
Before the days of accessible internet there was no help if one was largely in isolation from friends and family.   That's how it was and this is how it is......... 
So... let's get back on track with SLOW TRAIN COMING by BOB DYLAN.  I have the vinyl LP..., loved him and his music... and still do!
and one always loves Joni Mitchell
I could be here all day thinking of and playing train music!

Seeing the beauty

in each day and in each moment is a challenge for the restless mind and Restless in France!

PART ONE
A friend recently reminded me of MINDTRAIN by Yoko Ono,  so I listened again with the instantly accessible internet, the intelligent, electronic encyclopaediac tool most of us have at our fingertips...
I have always liked Yoko's weird avant-garde music!  I don't need to be on drugs or alcohol to understand it! It is artistic and creative whatever one's likes or dislikes might be!

Mindtrain is a series of rhythmic, vocal, melodic ostinati, which are simply described as 'repetitive phrases'!  I love the driving rhythm ... one feels as if one is sitting on the train... just listen to the percussive elements and trumpet vocals that create a mind meditation beneath and behind Yoko's screeches and wailings, which, in my opinion, are exactly like a steam train (onomatopoeia) or how the old electric trains would have sounded as they creaked and groaned on the rails! Such talent and madness are essential!

I have thought the following for a long time: that chatterbox thoughts come into the station of the mind and we let the thoughts get off the train at the station or we don't want to acknowledge the thoughts so we put them back on again and tell them to leave us alone and send them packing!! Often when I have suffered from acute anxiety or depression that is how it has been! I don't have it so much anymore. Got loads sorted!

Looking at dates in history, hearing her few lyrics, those words seem to have a premonition of her possible feelings after Lennon's death!  Mind Train was released in 1972 and John Lennon died 08-12-1980
Not everyone's cup of tea!  I found myself feeling happy as I listened.

Pachelbel's Canon and Gigue for 3 violins and basso continuo also makes me feel content and at peace!  Pachelbel's Canon combines techniques of canon and groundbass.  Canon is where several voices (polyphony) play the same music, entering in sequence.  Three voices are in canon, whilst the fourth voice, basso continuo, plays an independent part.

Violins play a three-voice canon over the ground bass to provide harmonic structure.

The bass voice keeps repeating the same two-bar line throughout the piece. This is called ostinato, or ground bass.

PART TWO
Yesterday, though not for the first time, I had a realisation that being in my own peace and quietness is very healing.
That I really need to accept the days like that when I can and indeed do need to regenerate energies.
I know I need to be mindful of the pleasure I gain when I am lazy and stop to wander in my garden and house and see the fruits of my life and the fruits of four years living at this house!

• look at the radish seeds that have appeared in less than a week!
• look at the rows where the old haricot seeds have had a chance to germinate or not - maybe they are too old and dead or just slow to appear... I shall give them a little more time!
• look at the shallots soon to keel over and be ready to eat
• look at the different heights of the three potato varieties
• look at the empty vole hole from where CAT hunted her food.  Naughty cat!
• look at my floral courtyard and grey shutters
• look out... look in....be at peace... know i shall soon be on the move again!!!

And so the music and the thoughts were linked and I am still playing her music today, when I should be concentrating on more pressing matters!
I am just going with the flow ... enjoying life, though those spells of rolling thunder in the early hours of this morning and lunchtime today with heavy rain and sheet lightning approaching from the west were very challenging to the MIND!

Bye Bye Love when Memories are made of THIS

It was an Everly Brothers Music Night last night! 

 and so I quote for all the loves I ever had..........

I bless the day I found you

I want to stay around you

So sad to watch good love go bad! 

Love hurts, love scars, love wounds and mars
Any heart not tough nor strong enough
To take a lot of pain, take a lot of pain,
Love is like a cloud, holds a lot of rain .....
Love hurts ......Oooh ...... love hurts.

 And so it always will be! . 

it's all over... I just stopped living when you said Goodbye!

Hey ho ...  and on we go!

Groovy Music

"Wild Thing" is what I wished to be as an adolescent in 1965 when I viewed the world from a window, restricted by The Parents from going anywhere that I dreamed of.....

I could see the world looked so exciting!

A few years later I was a "Free Bird" and off to the world of Study!

Book Review: Eric Clapton The Autobiography

An Icon. A Legend. God of Blues and of Guitar. Loved by so many!

I didn't realise he was and is a recovering alcoholic and of cocaine, but I'm not surprised, even though then, it was the days of sex 'n drugs 'n rock 'n roll!  He endured much therapy before recognising and accepting his inner happiness in the position of a family man with Melia and their three daughters and he has an older daughter.  Sadly, his young son died accidentally. His song 'Tears in Heaven' reflects upon that loss.
Eric was shy, insecure, with many obsessions/addictions and was fortunate that from his music he had an excellent income to supply those desires. A lonely soul finding it difficult to sometimes integrate behind the mask of who he thought he was. Yet it was his public persona that endeared him to so many: a brilliant musician, a perfectionist, an idealist, a modest man.  He confesses to anger and disagreeable attitudes which cost him dear and momentarily lowered his status in my eyes (because I can't handle anger!)  but by the time I'd finished reading his memoir, he was raised again to the Wonderful Man that I love for his music and for the perceptive and intuitive person whom I see and hear when he sings the lyrics of his songs and those written by others.  Goodness knows how his women/wives coped or didn't cope with his absences as well as his addictions.  I like to think that perhaps they were forgiving and some not without personal issues because no matter how rich we are, we are all the same: we are human!
I admire Eric Clapton for writing about his personal and professional life in intimate detail.  I can feel him sitting next to me TELLING his story.  Of course, it is history how he inveigled Pattie Boyd to be his lover and how George Harrison agreed.  It is a Story of Unrequited Love.  He recounts his personal and professional self discovery and his absorption with The Blues.   He shows his struggles and redemption.  He says he needed to be good at other things than being a musician.  It was a revelation when he was asked "Who are you?', whilst receiving therapy and being on withdrawal from alcohol and drugs. Later in the book, page 282, he describes how he was confronted with the statement; "Tell me who you are" and found it a struggle to do so.
(I haven't been an alcoholic though I have to my shame known the edge, the precipice. I suppose I am one because giving up the glass or two of wine on a daily basis seems an impossibility for me, although Rooibus tea really helps! It's a small treat. A small blessing at my age! In my own self discovery I have held back from drowning in any form of alcoholic bliss, which is escape.   Maybe everyone has to, at some stage, CHALLENGE the question of WHO we are and WHAT we are and how we fit into the world.  It is human and normal but brings us up sharp to realise we have much to be thankful for.)
I loved and enjoyed reading about The Yardbirds, Cream, Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce, Derek and the Dominoes, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and many other musicians. In the 70s I saw Ginger Baker play live.  It seemed rather strange for me to be reading about an era in the late 1960s, when I wasn't allowed to go to the music clubs mentioned in Eric's well-scripted, frank, soul bearing, spirited, painfully joyous life story.
I've always wanted to meet him... and if I did I would go very weak at the knees! I can play "Layla", "Wonderful Tonight", "I Shot the Sheriff", and all the rest ALL DAY, EVERY DAY but I don't because there is so much lovely music in the world.
"Unplugged" 1992  is one of my favourite albums - but hey, they are all favourites!
 Eric demonstrates his love, compassion, dedication.  I'm glad his life has become a happier one and of course, Luck has been his Lady despite the ordeals.  
A true Legend. A true Icon in Musical History.

I borrowed this book from a friend and need to return it!

One of my most favourite of songs

by some of the most beautiful of people

and one of the greatest of bands - Free Bird -  Lynrd Skynrd - a terrible loss of brilliant musicians.

If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on, now,
'Cause there's too many places I've got to see.
But, if I stayed here with you, girl,
Things just couldn't be the same.
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now,
And this bird you can not change.
Oh... oh... oh... oh... oh...
And the bird you cannot change.
And this bird you cannot change.
Lord knows I can't change.

Bye, bye, baby it's been a sweet love.
Yeah, yeah, Though this feeling I can't change.
But please don't take it so badly,
'Cause the lord knows I'm to blame.
But, if I stayed here with you girl,
Things just couldn't be the same.
Cause I'm as free as a bird now,
And this bird you can not change.
Oh... oh... oh... oh... oh...
And this bird you cannot change.
And this bird you cannot change.
Lord knows, I can't change.
Lord help me, I can't change.
Lord I can't change,
Won't you fly high free bird...yeah.

Aldo Ciccolini - the pianist

On Friday night I was privileged to hear and watch the former teacher of Laurie Clement, my piano teacher.  In Paris, she was taught by Aldo Ciccolini.  At the age of 88 he plays impeccably. You may read his history here.

Here is a video of Ciccolini two years ago, performing the first piece from Friday night's concert which was as perfect!

There were pieces by Chopin, Schumann and Castelnuovo-Tedesco (new to my ear!).  For an encore he played a piece that my best friend at college used to play.  How I envied her ability!  It was "Minstrels" by Debussy,  here played by Claudio Arrau.
At the end of the concert I waited whilst the audience departed very slowly.  I would like to bet that the man in front of me who told the woman next to him that the pianist did not play with sensibilité (with emotion/sensitivity) was an insensitive soul himself and probably not even a pianist.  I almost said something but words in French failed me! Did he not appreciate an accomplishment of age and experience?
This, the week the Italian Conductor Claudio Abbado aged 80 died.
There can be no excuse now to think that my fingers are less agile!!!!! Perseverance, endurance! Music is a language which keeps the brain and body young!!!!!!!
(photographs above are mine)

Too late for a ticket!!!!!!

It's only rock and roll and I like it!
AND HIM!!!

Photo credit to Julian Simmonds / Telegraph

Chamber Music and Irises

I love the colour of the Siberian iris at Days on the Claise.

At the weekend I attended a wonderful concert in the beautiful church of St Pierre de Maille.
During the interval, at the table where refreshments were served, there was a delightful bowl of pink irises. Impressionant! I had never seen that colour before.

A few days later my French neighbour was weeding her garden when I admired her peonies, roses, clematis in a very English country garden. Sometimes in summer the aroma in the air is breathtaking. When I exclaimed about her different coloured irises and told her about the pink ones, off she went to show me the catalogue for Cayeux : a business that sells irises in UK and France. 
I was very impressed.  I suppose I could plant irises at the end of the garden on the bedrock rockery.
I have now researched that one is supposed to cut off each faded flower and also  with a neat diagonal cut prune each stem before the roots are divided.  I am not a gardener but try hard!
This year my irises flowered abundantly. They were a pale lilac and had been taken from rhizomes from my friend's garden 2 to 3 years ago.  Neither of us remember the irises flowering in the past! All these associated irises 'stem' from the same small sample I acquired on a walk 'somewhereinfrance'.

The chamber music was exquisite:

Schubert: Piano Trio no 2 Eb major opus 100 D929
Faure:  Piano Trio D minor opus 120
Brahms: Piano Trio in Cminor opus 101

These photos were taken at Vicq when the Gartempe was flooded:

It's a shame that such resplendent kings do not linger for the summer.

Wonderful Female Choir

Thirteen voices and piano led by the conductor sang songs from 19th and 20th centuries. Grieg, Verdi, Schubert, Berlioz, Mendelssohn, Lilli Boulanger and some lesser renowned composers.

An unusual theme was 'Faces of Women'; each song representing fiancée, mother, queen, Virgin Mary, Sorceress, Ophelia, Titania, Mermaids, Andalucian dancers, Bohemian women. Extremely interesting and beautifully executed.  The "Ensemble Vocal Fa Majeur" herald from Normandy. It was such a shame that winter weather with endless rain kept people from attending.   It was surprisingly warm in the church both in temperature and ambience.  My cushion and pink blankety rug (it had been lost and found) kept me extra comfy.  I felt my age!!! Thanks to all who organised this event which was free. One made a contribution as we departed.

Chamber Music and Fire

Only in France are we turned out into"le soleil" during a refreshment interval of a classical music concert!  Under a crystal blue sky, necessitating that our coats, hats and scarves are braced around us do we sip apple juice, sparkling or still, with mini portions of quiche, florentine, chocolatey fudge type thingy, or broyeau biscuits (a local recipe).
At château de Cremault, Bonneuil-Matours there was a performance of piano, violin and 'cello:

❦Haydn Trio Hob.XV:25 'à la hongroise' en Sol Majeur in 3 movements - 

Andante-Poco - Adagio - Presto

❦Beethoven Trio op 70 n°1 'les esprits' en Ré Majeur in 3 movements - 

Allegro vivace e con brio - Largo assai ed espressivo - Presto

❦Mendelssohn Trio op 49 n°1 en ré mineur in 4 movements -                                                   Molto Allegro agitato - Andante con molto tranquillo - Scherzo Leggiero e vivace - Allegro assai appassionato                                                                                                                    ❦Rachmaninov Trio élégiaque n°1 en sol mineur

Very nice to be out and about and lovely to see a 5 year old child present though not listening, hear an American speaking French and two ladies speaking English. Average age for the audience .... 75!!!!!! ha-ah and ho-oh!

FIRE
There was a terrible sight at Archigny on my return journey. I showed caution  but having made a risk assessment, whilst others parked to watch, I felt that I could continue my journey. As I got nearer, the fireman signalled to pass. There were at least 5 engines; one with a cherry picker carrying two firefighters pouring gallons of water at roof level into the house. Well, there was no roof.  I presume a chimney fire started the destruction.  Poor souls! Hopefully no one was injured or killed. It was quite upsetting.  On Thursday late morning two fire-engines were at the local garagiste! A chimney fire. My friend had a chimney fire in February and the previous February.
I wonder if the severe cold causes a thermal shock so that wood-tar ignites. I know the problems with the installation of my woodburner were not my fault but the cold wet chimney created smoke in my lounge when I tried to light it. It was brand new.  However, the woodburner is now very efficient. Even so, I don't like the way it slumbers when there is not sufficient wind or when it is very cold.  I like to get it roaring at least once a day!

 

La Fausse Compagnie

A little while ago I was fortunate to share a lift with friends to see and listen to  Le Chant des Pavillons produced by La Fausse Compagnie. 
If you go to their website you can access a document written In English that explains their philosophy, plus the work in progress as they study these instruments, bringing the songs of the horns to people in the street as public entertainment.

... and my last

accordion, owned since the age of 10!!!!!!!

August 2012