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Year of wonder 2024

77 replies

Thebookdragon · 02/01/2024 12:11

This thread is for anyone wanting to do a year of wonder or wants to dip in and out. Yesterday was:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0wNTNEZYoHg&list=PLVQnaCD0GZRgl8VfVIxZYzHRiFYXC5rvZ&index=1&pp=iAQB8AUB
Bach and Sanctus which I think means Holy. To me I loved this and listened to it after a very long walk around the coast near here and I felt it was like a proper renewal with waves crashing.

Today is Chopin

JS Bach - Mass in B Minor - Sanctus

JS Bach's Mass in B Minor, Sanctus. Performed by the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Bavarian Radio Chorus conducted by Eugen Jochum, 1982

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0wNTNEZYoHg&list=PLVQnaCD0GZRgl8VfVIxZYzHRiFYXC5rvZ&index=1&pp=iAQB8AUB

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BaconAndAvocado · 16/01/2024 17:10

This looks intriguing.....

What is Year of Wonders and why is it in What We’re Reading? It seems to be about listening to classical music!

AliasGrape · 09/01/2024 13:58

The story in Clemency’s notes for the Verdi piece has stayed with me since first reading 2 years ago. Feels trite to say ‘how moving’ or whatever but I can’t quite sum it up any better really - the horror of it and the beauty of the music.

I can’t really separate the piece from the story, it’s maybe not my usual thing but it’s definitely beautiful.

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 09/01/2024 10:22

I love the Verdi and the story in the notes is so sad.
The Corelli is good but it sounds like an introduction to a piece. Need to hear more!
The pieces in January are beautiful.

ReadyForPumpkins · 09/01/2024 09:54

I listened to the Requieum Mass by Giuseppe Verdi today but it's not really my cup of tea. So I went back for a catch up. The Bruch violin concerto is so beautiful, I don't know how I have missed it the first time round. I like both the first and second movements.

AliasGrape · 08/01/2024 14:48

Re the Poulenc - I’m a huge fan of the cello version! That’s the one I find so romantic, I agree that the original song is lovely though and the sadness does come through more I think.

Enjoying the Corelli too.

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 07/01/2024 23:34

I love the Poulenc. I like the cello version but much prefer the original song. I like how the melody switches from the minor key to the major key as if the singer is trying to muster up hope of finding love again. I looked up the words as it helps me know the piece better (see below)

Year of wonder 2024
Year of wonder 2024
Original poster
Thebookdragon · 07/01/2024 22:46

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9G7JVqxY_uc&list=PLVQnaCD0GZRgl8VfVIxZYzHRiFYXC5rvZ&index=7&pp=iAQB8AUB

A shame for me I didn’t really like this. I can see your point about the German tanks and this being sung on the stage on evening. I guess I’m not good at French either but it sounded a bit stop and start for me. I wanted to like it.

I did listen to that Podcast that you posted @AliasGrape such an inspiring woman and such a lot known as she wrote so many letters! I liked her medical textbooks being discussed and were still being used a few hundred years on!!

Les chemins de l'amour

Provided to YouTube by The Orchard EnterprisesLes chemins de l'amour · Susan Graham · Malcolm Martineau · Francis PoulencVirgins, Vixens & Viragos℗ 2012 PM C...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9G7JVqxY_uc&list=PLVQnaCD0GZRgl8VfVIxZYzHRiFYXC5rvZ&index=7&pp=iAQB8AUB

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AliasGrape · 07/01/2024 22:06

The Bruch is another I hadn’t particularly remembered from the first read/ listen but I loved it this time, wonderful.

And today’s Poulenc I did remember - a real favourite. I love this so much, it’s so French! Very poignant to think of this gorgeous piece being written in the year the German tanks rolled into Paris as Clemency points out - it’s so very pretty and conjures up such romantic images (I sort of see a black and white version of Paris in the rain, but lit with fairy lights and there’s a couple dancing!) - the contrast with the real world events is very striking.

MissMarplesNiece · 06/01/2024 12:58

My parents had an lp with this on one side and Mendelssohn's violin concerto on the other, so hearing it takes me back many years. I love the "thrum" of the strings in the background (I dont know the correct musical terminology) , it's like a heartbeat.

Original poster
Thebookdragon · 06/01/2024 06:33

Oh my giddy aunt I loved this morning. Have wonderful. Me listening with my mug of tea and waving my arms about. Never heard of these composers and I love this one a great deal. I’m not often in work on a Saturday (twice a year) and this has been just the thing to wake me up.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZHcGdFGCRM&list=PLVQnaCD0GZRgl8VfVIxZYzHRiFYXC5rvZ&index=6&pp=iAQB8AUB

Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 26 - 1. Vorspiel (Allegro moderato)

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupBruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 26 - 1. Vorspiel (Allegro moderato) · Ray Chen · London Philharmonic...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZHcGdFGCRM&list=PLVQnaCD0GZRgl8VfVIxZYzHRiFYXC5rvZ&index=6&pp=iAQB8AUB

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Original poster
Thebookdragon · 05/01/2024 19:17

Someone has written a thesis on it

  • wow ❤️
https://oro.open.ac.uk/48204/1/BBWThesis.pdf

https://oro.open.ac.uk/48204/1/BBWThesis.pdf

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ReadyForPumpkins · 05/01/2024 15:50

I really like this piece of choral music.

Decklededge · 05/01/2024 12:56

Thanks for the link @Thebookdragon , I enjoyed singing along!
I love this piece of music. This kind of sacred choral music is my absolute number one favourite.

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ReadyForPumpkins · 04/01/2024 22:52

I listened to the other movements of the string quartet but they don’t appeal to me.

AliasGrape · 04/01/2024 21:49

I can’t really remember what impression I had of this piece the first time round, I hadn’t highlighted it as a favourite. But I felt quite blown away by it today actually, it’s so incredibly sad, yet beautiful. I’ve added it to my favourites playlist and am definitely going to listen again.

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 04/01/2024 10:49

Yes. I often 'view album' on Spotify if I like the piece.

Decklededge · 04/01/2024 10:33

Great idea. I’m going to do that too as I have time today.

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 04/01/2024 10:19

I agree with Drecklededge that this is a melancholic piece with a germ of hope contained within. It's really beautiful; a little gem. I'm listening to the other movements today to get to know the whole work.

Decklededge · 04/01/2024 09:30

What a beautiful piece of music. It has a melancholy feel but there’s hope there too.
It’s complex and I think I need to listen to it a few times.

ReadyForPumpkins · 04/01/2024 09:14

Thanks for the link on BBC sounds about Hildegard of Bingen. It's facinating. Clemency Burton-Hill 'downplayed' Hildegard's achievements. I mean it sounds already amazing from the book. But after listening to the show, I'm even more impressed.

For the String Quartet, I found a recent recording by the Belcea Quartet You can scroll to individual movements. It's very beautiful and very romantic.

PLANET CHAMBER MUSIC – Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet No. 13 (Große Fuge) / Belcea Quartet

Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet No. 13, op. 130 in B♭ Major (incl. Große Fuge)Belcea QuartetCorina Belcea, violinAxel Schacher, violinAntoine Lederlin, ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkwaVH06flA

Original poster
Thebookdragon · 04/01/2024 07:02

@AliasGrape I’ve just downloaded that episode on my phone - thanks for that. Will have a listen. ❤️

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Original poster
Thebookdragon · 04/01/2024 07:00

Here’s is todays piece https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CC26f1XBKjQ&list=PLVQnaCD0GZRgl8VfVIxZYzHRiFYXC5rvZ&index=4&pp=iAQB8AUB

bit of Beethoven. I listened to this whilst getting up and ready and it was lovely relaxing listen.

this felt like the sort of piece of music I would enjoy after a day of gardening in the summer. Tired and eyes closed and just fully relaxing into the music.

have a good day everyone!

Beethoven: String Quartet in B-flat major, Op. 130 - 5. Cavatina

Beethoven String Quartet in B-flat major, Op. 130 - 5. CavatinaLindsay String Quartet

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CC26f1XBKjQ&list=PLVQnaCD0GZRgl8VfVIxZYzHRiFYXC5rvZ&index=4&pp=iAQB8AUB

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ChessieFL · 03/01/2024 20:43

Today’s piece was lovely, very haunting.