Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
No, not what you're thinking, although at 5'-9", I'm not much taller than Napolean was! Rather, I treated myself to this bust of Napoleon that is currently on sale here at restoration hardware.
The surprise was how big he is and a bit out of scale for my bookcase as planned. Thankfully he's not very heavy, hollow terra cotta, and he moved around several times in my apartment last night.
For now he'll live in my entryway - bonus is that he makes an excellent bookend!
On another note, this past weekend I had the pleasure of seeing the celebrated soprano, Renee Fleming in a recital at the Kenney Center. One of her encores was a crowd pleaser and I've attached a clip of it here: O mio babbino caro by Puccini.If you ever have the opportunity to see Ms. Fleming perform, I would highly recommend it. This was the 7th time in 10 years I've had the priveledge and she never disappoints!
Music To My Ears
Even though holiday songs have been playing on the radio, in malls, stores, and about every place one can imagine, I decided to “tune” them out until I got closer to Christmas so I wouldn’t be overdone and miss out on the pleasure of letting them float through the air, while I decorated the house, baked goodies, or just sat by the fireplace to chill out.
While it was tempting to add a playlist to my blog, (at the start of my countdown), I refrained, knowing some of you prefer the sound of silence, while reading. Now that we’re just a short time away from the big day, I’ve popped in some of my favorites, performed by both classic and current artists.
I hope it’s music to your ears, too!
I used to wait with great anticipation for “Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown”, to be aired every year. Diana Krall shares the grown-up version without the chorus from Charlie, Lucy, Linus, and Snoopy. - “Christmas Time Is Here”
Love me some Louis! He’s one cool cat! - “Zat You, Santa Claus?”
While this is a more commercial holiday CD, it’s the kind which pulls you closer to the fire, with your favorite beverage in hand. Put up your feet and enjoy “Winter Wonderland”!
The velvety voice of Nat King Cole. “The Christmas Song” is an all time classic. (Yes, I remember when!)
Allison Kraus sings “The Wexford Carol” with Yo Yo Ma. The carol harkens to 12th century Ireland, where it tells the story of the nativity. Celtic music is so deeply moving and these two make for a heavenly duo.
“Baby It’s Cold Outside” - Not just for holiday listening, this duet with Willie Nelson and Nora Jones will still add a jingle to your step while your wrapping up your holiday to-do list.
Some of the best musical collaborations are from two different worlds. Andrea Bocelli and Mary J. Blige blend beautifully on “What Child Is This”. Opera and Hip-Hop/Soul? Amazing!
“Sleep in heavenly peace.” A beautiful version from Mannheim Streamroller of “Silent Night”.
Wishing you all the best! ~ Wanda
This past weekend I watched A star is born from 1954 starring Judy Garland. The sets, in particular her house, are shockingly 'au courant'. I loved the cerused oak front doors with 3 panels and modern sidelight. Notice also the Mies van der Rohe Barcelona chair in white leather.
In the living room, this card table and chairs would be welcome in my own home, maybe minus the pink cushions. The barcelona stools in the living room were covered with a yellow nubbly looking fabric, you see the top of one here.
Excuse the poor picture quality, but here is a better view of the white leather barcelona chair up on the entry level while down in the living room the corresponding Barcelona stool has the yellow upholstery. Even the sofa looks as if it came from Room and Board last week, not 55 years ago!However, the main reason to watch this movie is the superb acting and even MORE excellent singing. This scene is heart-wrenching and with fantastic sets - meant to show the Oscars of the time. Notice - eating and dancing: Who needs an after party?
And here as a special treat is 'The man that got away' sung by Judy Garland: You can see why she was such a star!
Definitely check out this excellent movie if you get a chance: nominated for 6 oscars. My only complaint would be that it is rather long at 3 hours, but nothing a remote control can't fix!
"The Apartment" theme song (Jealous Lover)- Watch more Videos at Vodpod.
The theme song from the great 1960 film starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine is "Jealous Lover" - a song I love dearly and played about 100x on the piano while home this past weekend. The film won five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. Enjoy!
I was recently talking to a friend about Deanna Durbin -the singing movie star from the 30s and 40s. We found out that we both have loved her since childhood! I came across a picture of her taken in the early 80s and was surprised to see she was totally recognizeable from herself as a teenager -check this out.
Born in 1921, she started out with a studio contract in 1935 along with Judy Garland (the other teen singing actress!). After creating many movies though as the singing teenager, she wanted more sophisticated, grown-up roles which studios and audiences were reluctant to see her in. She retired then in 1949, married and moved to France where she continues to live in retirement.This video below shows her at age 14 (with that voice!) in her first movie 'Three smart girls". Definitely check out any of her movies, they're delightful!
Last night I had the pleasure of seeing 'Carmen' with the beautiful Denyce Graves as the title character at the Kennedy Center. She's a favorite here in DC (as well as around the world) as she is a native Washingtonian. Carmen is among her signature roles. You all probably know the Habanera - here is Denyce singing it below at a concert.
Her best quality though is not her appearance nor her singing ability but her ability to ACT. She IS Carmen in this roll, bringing it to life. She brings more to a song than just diction, poise and correct notes -she brings passion and fire. Unfortunately I felt the rest of the production wasn't as fantastic as her abilities, but sill enjoyable.
Here she is singing her other title role, Delila from Samson and Delila with Placido Domingo- this has always been one of my favorite songs "My heart at thy sweet voice" by Camille Saint-Saens
Carmen is among my favorite operas as it's full of everything I love about the art: fabulous sets, intense music, dancing, costumes, high drama and a beautiful love story with a tragic ending.
The original Carmen from 1875 - the singer Galli-Marie
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Her best quality though is not her appearance nor her singing ability but her ability to ACT. She IS Carmen in this roll, bringing it to life. She brings more to a song than just diction, poise and correct notes -she brings passion and fire. Unfortunately I felt the rest of the production wasn't as fantastic as her abilities, but sill enjoyable.
Here she is singing her other title role, Delila from Samson and Delila with Placido Domingo- this has always been one of my favorite songs "My heart at thy sweet voice" by Camille Saint-Saens
Carmen is among my favorite operas as it's full of everything I love about the art: fabulous sets, intense music, dancing, costumes, high drama and a beautiful love story with a tragic ending.
The original Carmen from 1875 - the singer Galli-MarieBasically -here is Carmen in a few seconds or less. Carmen is a beautiful Gypsy in Seville, Span in the 1830s. She can't make up her mind ever about what she wants in life other than to always be 'the boss' . Totally contrary: never satisfied with what she has and goes about charming man after man. A handsome soldier comes along who pays no attention to her so of course she must have him -and she does. However, the luck isn't in the cards for her and it ends badly (I can't give it all away!).
The luck wasn't in the cards for the French composer either, Georges Bizet,pictured above. After the critics panned his newest opera, Carmen in 1875, he died 3 months later from a heart attack at age 36 - coincidentally it was also on his 6th wedding anniversary! It quickly became one of the top favorite operas of all time by 1880, however - even to this day people who don't know opera will recognize the songs from Bugs Bunny! If you ever get the chance to see this performed, please don't pass it up, you won't regret it!
The luck wasn't in the cards for the French composer either, Georges Bizet,pictured above. After the critics panned his newest opera, Carmen in 1875, he died 3 months later from a heart attack at age 36 - coincidentally it was also on his 6th wedding anniversary! It quickly became one of the top favorite operas of all time by 1880, however - even to this day people who don't know opera will recognize the songs from Bugs Bunny! If you ever get the chance to see this performed, please don't pass it up, you won't regret it!Just for fun, to end, here is Denyce appearing on Sesame street with penguins!
One of my favorite singers is coming to DC to promote her latest album, Symphony: Sarah Brightman. In 2 weeks time, I can't wait! I saw her last show 5 years ago here in DC for her 'Harem' album-it was really one of the best shows I've ever seen! Lots of amazing special effects, dancers, great music - a real SHOW! So if you're in DC -she's performing at the Verizon Center on November 19th. Hope to see you there! Enjoy the video above, a preview commercial for the album.
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