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Year of Wonder: Classical Music for Everyday (Part 1)

990 replies

MamaNewtNewt · 04/01/2022 15:50

This thread is for the 50 bookers (or in fact anyone else who wants to join in!) who are reading Year of Wonder: Classical Music for Everyday by Clemency Burton-Hill.

The author has selected one piece of music for each day in the year, and includes a brief overview of the piece and the composer to provide some context. There's a playlist on Spotify and we can share links to each piece of music for those without access to Spotify.

I think most of us are planning on (roughly) sticking to the daily setup but feel free to read / listen ahead although the discussions are likely to stay around the music for the current date.

Thanks to @TheTurn0fTheScrew for bringing this book to our attention on the thread. Really looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts.

OP posts:
TheTurn0fTheScrew · 25/01/2022 22:46

not Tallis, Byrd! I always muddle them in my head. But I promise I listened to the right piece Smile.

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 25/01/2022 22:45

how lovely, if bittersweet, to read about all these emotional connections to today's selection, and other pieces.

I loved the Tallis yesterday. The countertenor on the youtube version shared here was amazing.

Cherryana · 25/01/2022 18:45

Happy Burns Night and thank you @HeronLanyon, @BestIsWest and @AliasGrape for sharing what you have.

I love Eddi Reader and this was the first time I remember hearing this song. It’s beautiful.

HeronLanyon · 25/01/2022 17:22

Well how beautiful. Listened to Eva Cassidy.
Will raise a glass to best and alias and everyone for whom this is emotional and all Scots everywhere and Burns.
Whew.

BestIsWest · 25/01/2022 15:47

@AliasGrape, that made me giggle.

AliasGrape · 25/01/2022 14:34

@BestIsWest I’m sorry to read about your dad. What a beautiful song and memory to hold onto, though I’m sure very emotional to hear today too.

It’s wonderful how powerful a reminder and connection music is to those we love - I sing my mum’s favourite song to my baby girl often, and in a way it’s like my mum is still there in the room with us. (It’s Yesterday by the Beatles so won’t appear on this thread, the only classical music we really listened to at home we’re the Three Tenors, who my parents actually went to watch live in Bruges once, and Andrea Bocelli whose version of ‘Time to Say Goodbye’ we played at mum’s funeral. I’d asked for the version in English with Sarah Brightman but the crem played the version in Italian instead, ‘it’s all in Italian!’ I whispered to my brother, worried, and he whispered back ‘she’d be pleased, it makes us sound cultured’ Smile )

I have listened to a few versions of today’s song. I loved the Eva Cassidy one as I’m a huge fan of her voice, though it didn’t feel very authentic. The Eddi Reader version was wonderful, I’d like to listen to more of her music.

Happy Burns night to any Scots Year of wonder-ers 🌹

Original poster
MamaNewtNewt · 25/01/2022 13:28

Happy Burns Night!

@BestIsWest it must have been an emotional listen for you.

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IsFuzzyBeagMise · 25/01/2022 11:26

Rogue apostrophe. Burns Night. Have a good one :)

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 25/01/2022 10:28

Happy Burn's Night to any Scots on this thread!

This is lovely. I'm also fond of traditional music and I listen to it and play it often, mostly Irish traditional music.

That's lovely, BestIsWest. Thank you for sharing that with us. It's wonderful to have a song to remember your Dad by.

I must go and check out other versions of this song too.

BestIsWest · 25/01/2022 10:04

Morning. Happy Burns Night to any Scots!

This is a bit of an emotional one for me. My Dad always sang this and we had it at his funeral 18 months ago - and we have a few lines from it engraved on his headstone. So it’s a deeply personal one and of course I will always think of him when I hear it.

It is a beautiful song and I love the Eddi Reader version on the Spotify playlist. Will listen to a few others later on.

Original poster
MamaNewtNewt · 25/01/2022 09:00

My love is like a red, red rose
Traditional

I loved this one, but I have a soft spot for folk / traditional songs, especially of the Scottish / Irish variety. Really beautiful and simple. Just like I like 'em.

OP posts:
Cherryana · 24/01/2022 22:48

Its so good 😊!

HeronLanyon · 24/01/2022 22:40

mama 😂

Original poster
MamaNewtNewt · 24/01/2022 22:05

@HeronLanyon I mean your reaction was lovely and not the tough time. I hope things are getting easier for you.

OP posts:
Original poster
MamaNewtNewt · 24/01/2022 22:05

@Cherryana I feel the same, I'm absolutely loving it. I don't know much but I'm so enjoying broadening my horizons.

@HeronLanyon That's so lovely.

OP posts:
HeronLanyon · 24/01/2022 21:54

cherryana me too ! I’ve had awful few years with bereavements and other crap and when I unwrapped this book at Christmas it looked great then as I really looked a bit more it felt a very precious thing and I got a bit teary. We all laughed. I laughed and cried.

Palegreenstars · 24/01/2022 21:36

Hi All! I fell quite behind (10 days) so just caught up and agree that listening all at once doesn’t really work so definitely going to try and utilise coffee breaks more.

Of the 10 days in review the standout was the Messiaen composed in a POW camp. I found it so powerful and was reading about the composer’s condition ‘synaesthesia’ by which he sees chords as colours - so fascinating.

I physically hated the Reich minimalist piece from 19th (despite always enjoying Kraftwork!).

Todays was fine but possibly a bit of over saturation for me - fresh ears tomo.

bibliomania · 24/01/2022 20:34

One more week Fuzzy!

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 24/01/2022 20:25

Ha ha Bibliomania. I'm counting down the days :)

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 24/01/2022 20:24

Aw Cherryana! I'm glad you're enjoying it. I agree, it's good for the soul :)

bibliomania · 24/01/2022 20:22

It's a more enjoyable new year goal than Dry Jan anyway.

Cherryana · 24/01/2022 20:16

Can I just add that I really think this endeavour is one of the best of my life!! Which may sound over dramatic (maybe I am a little bit over dramatic 😉) but I knew nothing about this subject and now I have listened to 24 pieces and often it’s felt like my whole soul is being soothed.

I am also a last minute, all of nothing person, - so do this in small daily moments is refreshing and new.

That is all!!

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 24/01/2022 20:08

I just listed to the version that BestIsWest posted. It's beautiful. Very soothing. Thanks for posting it Best.

AliasGrape · 24/01/2022 19:54

So I listened to the first version I came across which, nothing wrong with it but I found it a little dull to be honest. Though I was listening in my car trying to cram it in before picking DD up. So I’ve listened to a couple of versions again this evening, including the one from Ely posted by Best Is West and yes you’re all right it’s just sublime, and very soothing after a slightly fraught day!

Soyabean · 24/01/2022 17:53

Gorgeous, I loved it.