August 25, 2005

Gratuitous Musickal Posting (TM)

I've got the radio on this morning, for a change, dialed into the local commercial classical station (in fact, the only local classical station). A commercial just came on for Music & Arts Center, which happens to be the place where the elder two Llama-ettes have their music lessons.

This reminded me that as I sat in on the five-year-old's violin lesson the other day, somebody just down the hall was practicing the solo part of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto. Even without the orchestral accompaniment, it gave me the chills. Haunting, that's the word.

Oh, and here's an open question for you classical music sharks out there which came up during our visit to the 'rents in Maine: What think you of "Turkish Band Music" and other injections of stylized Orientalism into European classical pieces? (I ask because the radio currently is playing Saint-Saens' Africa Fantasy.) Personally, I like a bit of it, such as in Haydn's Military Symphony, Mozart's Abduction from the Seraglio and Fifth Violin Concerto and the works of various other composers. (Dad doesn't like it and has a particular grudge against the alla Turca of Mozart's A Major piano sonata. But I think that's mostly because he couldn't stand the kid who used to play it at my teacher's recitals all the time.)

UPDATE: Tee Bee has a piece up on the history of Do Re Mi. Coo-el stuff. And yes, I had a huge crush on Julie Andrews back in the day.

Posted by Robert at August 25, 2005 11:23 AM | TrackBack
Comments

Then the film "S.O.B." must hold a very special place in your heart.

Posted by: The Colossus at August 25, 2005 12:29 PM

D'you know, I never saw it? I've deliberately preserved my youthful image of her purity. She doesn't like being up on that pedestal? Too damned bad.

Posted by: Robbo the LB at August 25, 2005 01:01 PM

I avoided it for the same reason; figured I'd let her work out her mid-life crisis and her marriage to what's-his-name on her own.

Now I'm wishing there were some good outdoor concerts in our area, while the weather is still nice. I'm told there used to be, but these days it's mostly 'rock on the river' stuff. Alice Cooper was here last year for that.

Posted by: tee bee at August 25, 2005 01:08 PM
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