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Happy Birthday, Griffin!!!!!!

Happy B-Day Griff! Hope its a great day with much love and laughter.

Wish you a very happy and healthy birthday, Griffin

Happy Birthday Griffin

Many happy returns, Griffin!

Thanks everyone for the birthday greetings!!! What a fun way to start the day! I'll be back a bit later today to check in!

I find this performance very inspiring for those of us who are learning Mendelssohn’s songs without words.

I love Alice Sara Ott.

Happy BELATED birthday to one of my favorite disco-lovers!
(that's you, Griffin!)


Here's to 50 more years of piano playing and a gazillion more Sunday postings!

On the 13th of July, 1985 Live Aid organised an event of epic proportions featuring concerts from two different venues with a satellite link-up. Here, today, in your presence, we try and match it by bringing you the Sunday Classical postings both from Ireland and Minneapolis.

OK, I'm getting a little carried away.

We start off our Sunday with one of the very first pieces of classical music I ever listened to as a boy, the Light Cavalry Overture by Franz von Suppé. The first version you listen to of a piece of music is usually the preferred version and I heard this by the Vienna State Opera Orchestra under Leo Gruber.

When I left home I wanted to keep this piece in my collection and went through many different interpretations, none of which caught the essence of the piece as I knew it, and got the tempo 'wrong' in many sections.

And then, when I was looking for the best William Tell Overture, I got a CD of Karajan conducting Famous Overtures and there it was, a true gem, the very best Light Cavalry, just like Gruber's, only better!

For those tuning in early in the morning this might be a little too stirring so you can delay hitting the play button until later. There's more soothing music to follow.

And now a little something for those who've just recently fallen out of the scratcher, bleary eyed and not yet pumped up with their morning joe.

Arvo Pärt's Spiegel Im Spiegel is just the job. Written in 1978 before Pärt left his native Estonia it became very popular in TV and film after first appearing in Mike Nichol's TV film, Wit, in 2001.

It takes nine minutes, feels like two, and can last in your head the whole day without that irritating can't-turn-it-off-jingle feeling.

Continuing in gentle mood here's a little something from Glinka that'll keep you going until the switch over to Minneapolis later today. In keeping with my normal practise this is a vocal selection for piece number three but today I've no idea whether we're midway through or have barely started the programme!

The Cherubim Song.



As the planet spins dizzyingly around, the sun stoops lower over Ireland (actually haven't seen it today, it's overcast), but in Minneapolis is about to stir. May it fill your day with brightness in mood as well as light. Keep safe until next week.

That's okay Richard! I love your enthusiasm! I'm so pleased we will now be doing our Sunday Classical postings on a regular basis from both Ireland and Minneapolis. Of course, anyone can contribute anytime they want to!

I'll be right back with my postings from this side of the Atlantic...or the "Big Pond", as Rossy often says.

I like the fact that Richard gave us a choice of what music post we want to start with. The Arvo Part selection was a good choice for many of us on this side of the Big Pond who were just waking up at that time.

For those who are still late risers I offer you this performance of J.S. Bach's Chorale, 'Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme' BWV 645. Ton Koopman is the organist.

Now I'm ready for something a lot more perky! Here is the Berlin Philharmonic performing Slavonic Dance, Op. 46, #8 by Anton Dvořák under the direction of Simon Rattle.

I had not heard of French composer Claude Balbastre (1724-1799) until recently while I was doing some research. I really enjoyed these harpsichord selections performed by Elisabeth Farr.

"2 Sonatas in F Major"

We're not getting to see the sun in Minneapolis today! It's snowing, and it's beautiful!

My final choice for today is this lovely performance by soprano Barbara Hendricks with the Oslo Philharmonc Orchestra.

Solvejg's Song, Peer Gynt, Op. 23 by Edvard Grieg





This is my final posting today! Enjoy the rest of your Sunday and be well!

Ahhhhh, shame he didn't win In't he lovely



Lol, me n this Xfactor

Very nice team work on Sunday postings. I’ll listen to your selection along the week. Thanks Griffin and Richard for taking your time.

Wayne, sorry Jahmene Douglas didn’t win .

The Satie Recital really has some magical effect - we now have two channels for Sunday Classical programs Double the music, double the varieties and consequently double the enjoyments!!

Thanks so much Richard and Griffin for giving us a marvelous Sunday Classical gift this week. I thoroughly enjoyed 'em all.