Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Rostoskys serious thread. (by request)

Good Sunday everyone! Though I'm still recuperating, I'm feeling pretty cheerful. Why, you may ask? It's Sunday and I get to do one of my favorite activities -- Classical Sunday postings!

My first Classical Sunday Post will be "The Fairy Queen" by Henry Purcell. Since I am probably one of the older members who regularly posts music on Rossy's Serious Thread, I wish to set the record straight (oops). I was not around at the time Mr. Purcell composed this beautiful gem, and therefore could not have influenced him with regards to the title. "The Fairy Queen" is a semi-opera by Mr. Purcell, according to my Wikipedia notes. It is an anonymous adaptation of William Shakespeare's wedding comedy "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Here is a performance by Freiburger Barockorchester, under the direction of Thomas Hengelbrock.

I discovered my second post recently on the Pianist Corner forum when Deborah posted it as a special treat. Indeed it is! How about this for a pianist powerhouse -- James Levine, Martha Argerich, Evgeny Kissin and Mikhail Pletnev! Here they perform "Concerto for 4 Pianos and Orchestra in A Minor" by Johann Sebastian Bach.

My thanks to Deborah for sharing this! My next post will be my way of showing my appreciation to Deborah.

In my next post James Levine shares the stage at the Carnegie Theater with sopranos Jessye Norman and Kathleen Battle. Yet another powerhouse! I had the pleasure of viewing this performance in 1990 when it was broadcast on public television. It was a tribute to African American spirituals -- very much a part of my life growing up. Here the two divas sing "Certainly, Lord."

My final Classical Sunday post is a two-part choral selection by American composer Samuel Barber entitled "2 Pieces." it was published in 1968. I was pleased to receive the positive responses to my last 2 Barber posts, and I am continuing to research this gifted composer. While recuperation time can get frustrating, I am putting this time to good use by engaging in one of my favorite hobbies -- music literature research. Enjoy!

Twelfth Night


To Be Sung on the Water

Thanks for listening. I'll be back later with a brief announcement about another fun thread that may be of interest to you. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

So beautiful posts, Griffin! Listening to your Sunday posts is also one of my favourite activities at weekend.

Excellent sunday postings as usual griffin!!! I love Sunday now, it used to be a bit boring as you may well imagine in a small Welsh village, no shops open and no buses to get anywhere else!!!

And now, I will introduce you to whom I have named "The Master of Mirth"

Here is an example from the man himself :Mr.David Thorne.



From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.15am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Poster

Hi
I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not to busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon.




This is the only photo of her I have she answers to the name Missy and is black and white and about 8 months old. missing on Harper street and my phone number.
Thanks Shan.



From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.26am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
That is shocking news. Luckily I was sitting down when I read your email and not half way up a ladder or tree. How are you holding up? I am surprised you managed to attend work at all what with thinking about Missy out there cold, frightened and alone... possibly lying on the side of the road, her back legs squashed by a vehicle, calling out "Shannon, where are you?"
Although I have two clients expecting completed work this afternoon, I will, of course, drop everything and do whatever it takes to facilitate the speedy return of Missy.
Regards, David.


From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.37am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Poster

yeah ok thanks. I know you dont like cats but I am really worried about mine. I have to leave at 1pm today.



From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.17am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
I never said I don't like cats. Once, having been invited to a party, I went clothes shopping beforehand and bought a pair of expensive G-Star boots. They were two sizes too small but I wanted them so badly I figured I could just wear them without socks and cut my toenails very short. As the party was only a few blocks from my place, I decided to walk. After the first block, I lost all feeling in my feet. Arriving at the party, I stumbled into a guy named Steven, spilling Malibu & coke onto his white Wham 'Choose Life' t-shirt, and he punched me. An hour or so after the incident, Steven sat down in a chair already occupied by a cat. The surprised cat clawed and snarled causing Steven to leap out of the chair, slip on a rug and strike his forehead onto the corner of a speaker; resulting in a two inch open gash. In its shock, the cat also defecated, leaving Steven with a wet brown stain down the back of his beige cargo pants. I liked that cat.
Attached poster as requested.
Regards, David.






From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.24am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah thats not what I was looking for at all. it looks like a movie and how come the photo of Missy is so small?



From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.28am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
It's a design thing. The cat is lost in the negative space.
Regards, David.


From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.33am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Thats just stupid. Can you do it properly please? I am extremely emotional over this and was up all night in tears. you seem to think it is funny. Can you make the photo bigger please and fix the text and do it in colour please. Thanks.



From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.46am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
Having worked with designers for a few years now, I would have assumed you understood, despite our vague suggestions otherwise, we do not welcome constructive criticism. I don't come downstairs and tell you how to send text messages, log onto Facebook and look out of the window. I am willing to overlook this faux pas due to you no doubt being preoccupied with thoughts of Missy attempting to make her way home across busy intersections or being trapped in a drain as it slowly fills with water. I spent three days down a well once but that was just for fun.
I have amended and attached the poster as per your instructions.
Regards, David.




From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.59am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

This is worse than the other one. can you make it so it shows the whole photo of Missy and delete the stupid text that says missing missy off it? I just want it to say lost.


From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.14am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster





From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.21am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah can you do the poster or not? I just want a photo and the word lost and the telephone number and when and where she was lost and her name. Not like a movie poster or anything stupid. I have to leave early today. If it was your cat I would help you. Thanks.


From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.32am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Awww

Dear Shannon,
I don't have a cat. I once agreed to look after a friend's cat for a week but after he dropped it off at my apartment and explained the concept of kitty litter, I kept the cat in a closed cardboard box in the shed and forgot about it. If I wanted to feed something and clean faeces, I wouldn't have put my mother in that home after her stroke. A week later, when my friend came to collect his cat, I pretended that I was not home and mailed the box to him. Apparently I failed to put enough stamps on the package and he had to collect it from the post office and pay eighteen dollars. He still goes on about that sometimes, people need to learn to let go.
I have attached the amended version of your poster as per your detailed instructions.
Regards, David.



From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.47am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Awww

Thats not my cat. where did you get that picture from? That cat is orange. I gave you a photo of my cat.


From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.58am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Awww

I know, but that one is cute. As Missy has quite possibly met any one of several violent ends, it is possible you might get a better cat out of this. If anybody calls and says "I haven't seen your orange cat but I did find a black and white one with its hind legs run over by a car, do you want it?" you can politely decline and save yourself a costly veterinarian bill.
I knew someone who had a basset hound that had its hind legs removed after an accident and it had to walk around with one of those little buggies with wheels. If it had been my dog I would have asked for all its legs to be removed and replaced with wheels and had a remote control installed. I could charge neighbourhood kids for rides and enter it in races. If I did the same with a horse I could drive it to work. I would call it Steven.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.07pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Please just use the photo I gave you.


From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.22pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww




From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.34pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

I didnt say there was a reward. I dont have $2000 dollars. What did you even put that there for? Apart from that it is perfect can you please remove the reward bit. Thanks Shan.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.42pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww






From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Can you just please take the reward bit off altogether? I have to leave in ten minutes and I still have to make photocopies of it.


From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.56pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww





From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 1.03pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Fine. That will have to do.

I've heard of Shaggy Dog stories. I'm not too sure what you'd call that one. I'm not sure a "Shaggy Cat" story will do. However, my take away from the story is that I made good choices for my 2 kitties when they became part of my family. Don't ever let them out so you can prevent an experience such as that poor cat lover had in your story.

Also, that story was good medicine for me. I had a good laugh (without coughing!). Thanks Rossy.

I'll be back shortly.

What a nice thank you! Who is that on the podium? He looks familiar but I can't remember the name.

...and to thank Griffin for thanking me, check this out:

Is turning piano pages an actual "Job"?

Shame I missed the Lady Gaga thing, had a bit of a party lastnight, and you know that at every party, someone gets rediculously drunk, falling into things etc, well that was me! Not sure what was on my face on the pics of me on FB, choc cake or soil from when I fell into the houseplant, who knows!

I think you are referring to James Levine. He was the music director for this amazing program. I 've often wanted to see a re-run of the program. However, I never saw it on PBS again. However, yesterday, when I was doing my research I discovered that a CD is available, and possibly a DVD. I know that I'll probably end up buying it. It's a real keeper!

I'll be back shortly. I can hardly wait to listen to your post. I did post one movement of the Four Seasons a few weeks ago. However, I just did autumn to celebrate the season we are in. I'll be back shortly!

Wayne, what can anyone say.. at least no one marmited and feathered you when you was sleeping it all off, so thats something to be gratefull for!!!
Pint pots are not good to drink vodka out of.
has anyone fed the cats today?
I went to get reason five, ( cos i only have four and six is out!!) but the bt told me 2wks and four days..yeh right on,
young rossy has got it on disc, so i will wait till his next visit...

Ah well its tea time here..

Absolutely delightful! A piano ensemble. I've never gotten to see that until I saw your post last week. I'd like to know who the pianists are. I'm unable to see the background information because of the limitations of my computer.

Rossy, it will speed up lol, just leave it minimised!

N yeah fed the cats and dogs lol, and mended my piano stool that someone broke !!!!

Sounds like you had one of the infamous yorkshire "painfull parties" Wayne, oh deary me.
Will be back later.....

The pianists are Emmanuel Ax, Juja Want, Nelson Goerner and Julien Quentin. Yes, it is. I remember reading an article about a page turner who was employed by Carnegie Hall. It is a demanding and nerve wracking job. You've got to put up with tempermental artists, bad lighting, shadows, not interfering with the artists view of the music and a perfect ability to sightread. Two years ago I was spontaneously asked to turn pages for a Beethoven concerto. I was terrified I would lose my place, and I did. Fortunately, I was able to pick it up again but the job is very hard.

Uh Oh! It sounds like I may learn a few more things about Yorkshire that I've never known before. I'll just sit back with my cup of green tea to see what can be learned. I hope it doesn't remind me of that nasty sinus headache I've experienced earlier this week!

Hope you feel better Wayne! At least you don't have to put up with it as long as my situation

Interesting Gooddog, glad I don't have to worry about turning pages, I couldn't afford a page turner! I made myself a couple of sheet music holders, so I can see upto 8 pages at a time (most of my music is printed on single sheets, rather than a book)

Griffin, cheers, feeling better already, had stew and dumplings for tea, and a hair of the dog!

Oh n better not go into detail Griffin, wouldn't want you choking on your green tea!