Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the song of angry men?
It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again. ---- from Les Miserables
I've been sitting here since seven this evening watching a PBS presentation of a 25th anniversary production of 'Les Miserables'. It has been so enjoyable I decided to buy a ticket to the Fisher Theater production in a few weeks.
So, I'm listening to the lyrics. Not singing along as I am wont to do, but really listening. And I hear the above lyric and think, 'Oh my. Sounds like something they should sing in Wisconsin. Or maybe soon in Lansing.'
So, while I am online to find tickets I google 'Les Miz' and find that apparently the folks in Wisconsin have already decided that this is a good song for their cause. See for yourself. And notice the youthful faces. Reminds me of my youth and makes me want to make a picket sign.
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
It's Over
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra Board has made it official. The 2011 season is over. I received two emails this morning announcing the decision and got out my remaining tickets for the year. I went online and filled out a form for each of my tickets.
When I was done, an old song popped into my head. It is an old Eydie Gorme rendition of the Irving Berlin song, 'How About Me'. It appears on an album from 1966. So long ago that my vinyl copy is in mono, not stereo. The first line of the song is 'It's over'. The last line is 'But how about me?'
And that is just what I was thinking.
Frankly, I have found I have not missed the symphony, as such. Especially not not the driving downtown. I've watched classical performances on TV, listened to my CDs and enjoyed Sirius XM classical in the car. But there is something exciting about being there in person. I have been fortunate to have seen many, many artists over the years. And I have missed that experience this year.
I hope that the musicians have made what they think is the best decision for them. But in this economic environment, I am not so sure. Maybe they should have spent less time thinking about 'how about me?' and thought more about the big picture. I hope that each of them fare well in this decision.
When I was done, an old song popped into my head. It is an old Eydie Gorme rendition of the Irving Berlin song, 'How About Me'. It appears on an album from 1966. So long ago that my vinyl copy is in mono, not stereo. The first line of the song is 'It's over'. The last line is 'But how about me?'
And that is just what I was thinking.
Frankly, I have found I have not missed the symphony, as such. Especially not not the driving downtown. I've watched classical performances on TV, listened to my CDs and enjoyed Sirius XM classical in the car. But there is something exciting about being there in person. I have been fortunate to have seen many, many artists over the years. And I have missed that experience this year.
I hope that the musicians have made what they think is the best decision for them. But in this economic environment, I am not so sure. Maybe they should have spent less time thinking about 'how about me?' and thought more about the big picture. I hope that each of them fare well in this decision.
Remembering the Good Old Days in Song
I know there are lots of you out there who are my age. Many of you remember the songs you heard growing up and still listen to them on the radio. So, for those who would like an instant juke-box on their computer, here is a link to one.
Enjoy. http://carolynspreciousmemories.com/50s/sitemap.html
Enjoy. http://carolynspreciousmemories.com/50s/sitemap.html
Music To Live By
There is an interesting article in this morning's paper about a study on music and its effect on the brain. They did a study? I could have told them some of the very stuff they discovered.
I have been known to 'shush' people in my car and even in my home if music is playing and a particular piece of music is approaching that I want to hear and not be distracted from. Rude? Well, yes, but for me, music is one of the most pleasurable aspects of my life.
Starting in elementary school, I used to walk to school early in the morning to have voice practice before classes started. I had choir until I reached high school when I decided that since I was not pursuing a music career, I needed to drop those electives and study stuff like chemistry and physics instead.
My interest in music tends toward the jazzy, smoky nightclub, top of the piano chanteuse style and classical. I've never had an interest in rock and roll or its successors in the 'pop' genre. I will admit to having been to two Barry Manilow concerts and once got dragged to a reunion of the band 'Traffic' (OMG, it was the worse event ever, and not just because I had no idea who they were.)
So, when I read the article I decided to grab a CD and play it to see how it affected the rest of the reading of the newspaper. I put on Gata Barbieri's 'Caliente'. The music was already going in my mind when the first note sounded. I think I know the CD by heart even though it has been more than a few years since I have played it.
During the first two numbers my butt was bouncing on the chair along with the requisite 'head bobbing'. I was trying to do the Sudoku puzzle and I swear it took me twice as long as usual. But then I knew that the third cut was getting ready and my brain turned to mush.
The song is 'Europa' by Carlos Santana. (OK, I saw him in concert at his 'Supernatural' tour, before the album became a 'must-have'. I had four fourth row seats I won in a drawing and had a difficult time finding anyone who wanted to go.) The guitar solos are replaced by Gato's saxophone and it is definitely a 'shush' song. I just wanted to close my eyes and float.
I could not imagine my life without music. Yet, I have attended music events where people talk all the way through them as though the performance is the background for their own little party. I've had to endure people snoring at the DSO. I am not sure which scenario is worse. Well, the guy sleeping can't hear my 'shush'.
There are wonderful quotes about music. One of my favorites is:
Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent. - Victor Hugo
But you have to love the one from Oscar Levant (you must hear him play 'Rhapsody in Blue'), because I can definitely relate:
You can't possibly hear the last movement of Beethoven's Seventh and go slow. ~Oscar Levant, explaining his way out of a speeding ticket
If you wish to read more of these, click here: Quotes
I have been known to 'shush' people in my car and even in my home if music is playing and a particular piece of music is approaching that I want to hear and not be distracted from. Rude? Well, yes, but for me, music is one of the most pleasurable aspects of my life.
Starting in elementary school, I used to walk to school early in the morning to have voice practice before classes started. I had choir until I reached high school when I decided that since I was not pursuing a music career, I needed to drop those electives and study stuff like chemistry and physics instead.
My interest in music tends toward the jazzy, smoky nightclub, top of the piano chanteuse style and classical. I've never had an interest in rock and roll or its successors in the 'pop' genre. I will admit to having been to two Barry Manilow concerts and once got dragged to a reunion of the band 'Traffic' (OMG, it was the worse event ever, and not just because I had no idea who they were.)
So, when I read the article I decided to grab a CD and play it to see how it affected the rest of the reading of the newspaper. I put on Gata Barbieri's 'Caliente'. The music was already going in my mind when the first note sounded. I think I know the CD by heart even though it has been more than a few years since I have played it.
During the first two numbers my butt was bouncing on the chair along with the requisite 'head bobbing'. I was trying to do the Sudoku puzzle and I swear it took me twice as long as usual. But then I knew that the third cut was getting ready and my brain turned to mush.
The song is 'Europa' by Carlos Santana. (OK, I saw him in concert at his 'Supernatural' tour, before the album became a 'must-have'. I had four fourth row seats I won in a drawing and had a difficult time finding anyone who wanted to go.) The guitar solos are replaced by Gato's saxophone and it is definitely a 'shush' song. I just wanted to close my eyes and float.
I could not imagine my life without music. Yet, I have attended music events where people talk all the way through them as though the performance is the background for their own little party. I've had to endure people snoring at the DSO. I am not sure which scenario is worse. Well, the guy sleeping can't hear my 'shush'.
There are wonderful quotes about music. One of my favorites is:
Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent. - Victor Hugo
But you have to love the one from Oscar Levant (you must hear him play 'Rhapsody in Blue'), because I can definitely relate:
You can't possibly hear the last movement of Beethoven's Seventh and go slow. ~Oscar Levant, explaining his way out of a speeding ticket
If you wish to read more of these, click here: Quotes
Do You XM?
I do not drive my car a lot. When I do, I usually listen to classical music on XM radio. But that will likely come to an end next winter when my paid subscription runs out. Dealing with XM has been a nightmare from day one.
The latest incident was with a bill I received yesterday. In September I renewed for five months and received a bill due on October 10. I paid the bill and the check was cashed on October 4. The bill I received yesterday showed a past due amount and another invoice fee of $2.00. What? I already paid.
I spent over 45 minutes on the phone with them this morning talking to three different people, one of whom only spoke Spanish. I obviously got transferred off to someone who would have no clue what I was talking about.
The explanation was this. Because they had to rebill me (for the payment I already made BEFORE the due date), the invoice fee was due. BUT, they would kindly 'waive' it this time.
So, let me get this straight. I paid the bill by the due date. The company cashed the check. They rebilled me before the original due date and, therefore, generated another fee. Hey, why not just send a bill every day?
The sad part is that the people you talk to have no clue what you are trying to explain to them. They also seem to have no superiors available to speak to. It is no wonder so many people I know just let the free subscription they get with their new cars expire, even when they enjoyed the music. It saves a lot of grief.
Well, next road trip I'll just pack the CDs.
Click here to read about others' experiences with XM
The latest incident was with a bill I received yesterday. In September I renewed for five months and received a bill due on October 10. I paid the bill and the check was cashed on October 4. The bill I received yesterday showed a past due amount and another invoice fee of $2.00. What? I already paid.
I spent over 45 minutes on the phone with them this morning talking to three different people, one of whom only spoke Spanish. I obviously got transferred off to someone who would have no clue what I was talking about.
The explanation was this. Because they had to rebill me (for the payment I already made BEFORE the due date), the invoice fee was due. BUT, they would kindly 'waive' it this time.
So, let me get this straight. I paid the bill by the due date. The company cashed the check. They rebilled me before the original due date and, therefore, generated another fee. Hey, why not just send a bill every day?
The sad part is that the people you talk to have no clue what you are trying to explain to them. They also seem to have no superiors available to speak to. It is no wonder so many people I know just let the free subscription they get with their new cars expire, even when they enjoyed the music. It saves a lot of grief.
Well, next road trip I'll just pack the CDs.
Click here to read about others' experiences with XM
Walking the Line
I have been 'on strike', officially, once in my life. Refusing to do cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. until my husband and kids helped out doesn't count as 'official'.
It was in late 1969 that the union I was represented by at the City of Detroit took a strike vote. Actually, it was a 'call in sick' vote, fitting for hospital workers. I do not even remember the reason we did it. I left the city for a year from 1968 to 1969 because they hadn't settled the union contract and I was offered more money at Hutzel hospital. I went back in July, 1969 when the contract had been settled. In the fall we spent one day on the picket line. Mayor Cavanaugh went into court and got an injunction. Facing daily fines for walking out, we all went back to work. And the hospital suffered no loss from us since we made sure the labs were minimally staffed.
The 1994-95 baseball strike left a bitter taste in my mouth. I used to go to a lot of baseball games. I enjoyed sitting there and watching the game, boring as some may think. Not I. Returning home from a trip to Baltimore in June, 1995, I decided to swing by old Tiger Stadium and see the Tigers play the Yankees. OMG. The stadium was practically empty. This was the Yankees. Where was everyone?
Like I did, many had not forgiven their teams from striking. And it forever affected my attendance at games.
Now I read that the musicians at the DSO are ready to walk out. And go where? Your salaries come from patrons like myself. I was ready to stop being a season subscriber but after talking to someone from the DSO earlier this year, I decided to continue. The strike may mean this is truly the last year for me.
I understand disagreements with management. I have been on both sides of the bargaining table. Sometimes disagreements go far beyond wages and benefits and get into more difficult things like working conditions. (We joked at the City that workers at the old Detroit Receiving/General received combat pay.)
But the long term unseen effects of strikes are not usually considered by workers. And that is that folks will take their money elsewhere during the void and may never bring it back.
It was in late 1969 that the union I was represented by at the City of Detroit took a strike vote. Actually, it was a 'call in sick' vote, fitting for hospital workers. I do not even remember the reason we did it. I left the city for a year from 1968 to 1969 because they hadn't settled the union contract and I was offered more money at Hutzel hospital. I went back in July, 1969 when the contract had been settled. In the fall we spent one day on the picket line. Mayor Cavanaugh went into court and got an injunction. Facing daily fines for walking out, we all went back to work. And the hospital suffered no loss from us since we made sure the labs were minimally staffed.
The 1994-95 baseball strike left a bitter taste in my mouth. I used to go to a lot of baseball games. I enjoyed sitting there and watching the game, boring as some may think. Not I. Returning home from a trip to Baltimore in June, 1995, I decided to swing by old Tiger Stadium and see the Tigers play the Yankees. OMG. The stadium was practically empty. This was the Yankees. Where was everyone?
Like I did, many had not forgiven their teams from striking. And it forever affected my attendance at games.
Now I read that the musicians at the DSO are ready to walk out. And go where? Your salaries come from patrons like myself. I was ready to stop being a season subscriber but after talking to someone from the DSO earlier this year, I decided to continue. The strike may mean this is truly the last year for me.
I understand disagreements with management. I have been on both sides of the bargaining table. Sometimes disagreements go far beyond wages and benefits and get into more difficult things like working conditions. (We joked at the City that workers at the old Detroit Receiving/General received combat pay.)
But the long term unseen effects of strikes are not usually considered by workers. And that is that folks will take their money elsewhere during the void and may never bring it back.
Updates
1. Update 9/21/2010: Let's 'Do the Math.'
Back to my blog about the Ponzi scheme. I give you 250,000 for an investment lasting roughly 420 days based on a 360 day calendar year. I earn 10,323 in interest. My effective yield is 3.54%. Really? Banks were paying that in 2009?
My internet search did not show me historical CD offering rates, although I am sure they exist someplace. But I do know that when I left government in November, 2008, rates were not that high. And they sure were not going up in 2009. A 'red flag' anyone?
2. Update 9/22/2010: More Interviews
The West Bloomfield Township Board now has six candidate interviews for Police Chief on three different days, but no names are shown. You can check the agendas online.
3. Update 9/17/2010: Just keep rolling along
Another bill was introduced affecting local government. If enacted, HB 6464, which is tie-barred to HB 6465, would place new requirements on local units when they adopt and amend their budgets. No provision for funding the mandate, of course. Why worry about Headlee provisions? Units not complying would lose state shared revenue.
Actually, I think this bill should be tie-barred to SB 1464. That one adds 'giant hogweed' to the definition of noxious weeds. I could come up with some good descriptions of 'giant hogweeds'. You know. The term-limited kind?
4. Update 9/11/2010 Not prime-time for me
Seems like the voters in Michigan can make the popcorn and watch our gubernatorial candidates debate. Well, count me out. Do I really need to hear this? I think not.
5. Update 8/27/2010 Making Music?
Still no settlement between the DSO and the musicians. Unfortunately, this is a business with a product that fewer people are willing to buy. And in that case, you do what you have to do to stay in business. They all understand that, right? If not, my CDs are ready to spin.
Back to my blog about the Ponzi scheme. I give you 250,000 for an investment lasting roughly 420 days based on a 360 day calendar year. I earn 10,323 in interest. My effective yield is 3.54%. Really? Banks were paying that in 2009?
My internet search did not show me historical CD offering rates, although I am sure they exist someplace. But I do know that when I left government in November, 2008, rates were not that high. And they sure were not going up in 2009. A 'red flag' anyone?
2. Update 9/22/2010: More Interviews
The West Bloomfield Township Board now has six candidate interviews for Police Chief on three different days, but no names are shown. You can check the agendas online.
3. Update 9/17/2010: Just keep rolling along
Another bill was introduced affecting local government. If enacted, HB 6464, which is tie-barred to HB 6465, would place new requirements on local units when they adopt and amend their budgets. No provision for funding the mandate, of course. Why worry about Headlee provisions? Units not complying would lose state shared revenue.
Actually, I think this bill should be tie-barred to SB 1464. That one adds 'giant hogweed' to the definition of noxious weeds. I could come up with some good descriptions of 'giant hogweeds'. You know. The term-limited kind?
4. Update 9/11/2010 Not prime-time for me
Seems like the voters in Michigan can make the popcorn and watch our gubernatorial candidates debate. Well, count me out. Do I really need to hear this? I think not.
5. Update 8/27/2010 Making Music?
Still no settlement between the DSO and the musicians. Unfortunately, this is a business with a product that fewer people are willing to buy. And in that case, you do what you have to do to stay in business. They all understand that, right? If not, my CDs are ready to spin.
Beautiful Music
Without question, the thing I would miss most if I moved away from the Detroit area, that exists inside the City itself, would be the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Yes, I enjoy the Detroit Institute of Arts, but the symphony keeps me coming back week after week.
My original subscription series was for the Thursday night Pops, but often I found that its was 'pops' I was not really interested in hearing. And then I would exchange my tickets.
When I had meetings in Lansing on Friday morning for my MGFOA committee, I had to leave at intermission to get home and get enough sleep to make the drive, especially during the winter which necessitated an earlier departure time. So, I switched to Friday nights and also to the classical series.
I have loved every minute of it (with the exception of two pieces that were truly painful to hear). I have seen Lang Lang, YoYo Ma, John Williams, and Hillary Hahn, to name a few. I have gained an appreciation of both the cello and the violin, which never had much appeal to me before hearing them in a concert hall.
For the upcoming season, I switched my tickets to Sunday afternoon. I figured I did not need to deal with driving in bad weather at night, when it was just as easy to go during the day.
And now I sit here and read the details of a season that may not be. I understand both sides. I was both a union president and a member of management in my two different careers. Both sides have difficult decisions to make. Management cannot keep hemorrhaging cash. Especially cash it does not have. Musicians, as do all workers, do not want to give up salary and benefits. There has to be a middle ground.
If musicians are right and they can make more elsewhere, and therefore leave Detroit, the quality of the orchestra may well decline. If that happens, more folks will put their money elsewhere and the company will further decline. What is clear is that the company cannot continue as it has done in the past. The money is just not there.
Sound like a vicious circle? It is. I hope they reach an agreement, but I may well be spending my Sunday afternoons at home with a good book and a bunch of CDs.
My original subscription series was for the Thursday night Pops, but often I found that its was 'pops' I was not really interested in hearing. And then I would exchange my tickets.
When I had meetings in Lansing on Friday morning for my MGFOA committee, I had to leave at intermission to get home and get enough sleep to make the drive, especially during the winter which necessitated an earlier departure time. So, I switched to Friday nights and also to the classical series.
I have loved every minute of it (with the exception of two pieces that were truly painful to hear). I have seen Lang Lang, YoYo Ma, John Williams, and Hillary Hahn, to name a few. I have gained an appreciation of both the cello and the violin, which never had much appeal to me before hearing them in a concert hall.
For the upcoming season, I switched my tickets to Sunday afternoon. I figured I did not need to deal with driving in bad weather at night, when it was just as easy to go during the day.
And now I sit here and read the details of a season that may not be. I understand both sides. I was both a union president and a member of management in my two different careers. Both sides have difficult decisions to make. Management cannot keep hemorrhaging cash. Especially cash it does not have. Musicians, as do all workers, do not want to give up salary and benefits. There has to be a middle ground.
If musicians are right and they can make more elsewhere, and therefore leave Detroit, the quality of the orchestra may well decline. If that happens, more folks will put their money elsewhere and the company will further decline. What is clear is that the company cannot continue as it has done in the past. The money is just not there.
Sound like a vicious circle? It is. I hope they reach an agreement, but I may well be spending my Sunday afternoons at home with a good book and a bunch of CDs.
Name That Tune
Ever get a tune in your head and know that you heard it someplace before, but can't place it? Of course you have. It happened to me the other night and eventually led to me to clean out my music collection, or at least part of it.
I watched the 1999 German/Hungarian film "Gloomy Sunday". It was recommended to me by Netflix based on my love of foreign films. The melody was haunting. I knew I'd heard the instrumental version before, but where? And then over the closing credits, an English lyric version, but I seemed to remember a male singer, not a female.
Back to the computer and the good old internet. I googled "Gloomy Sunday" and went to the Wikipedia site. Wow! What a history for this song.
So, there at the bottom of the page is a list of everyone who has recorded the number. A reference to the use of the song in "Schindler's List" solves the question of the instrumental version. But who did I remember singing it?
Billie Holliday is mentioned. So, while I cannot remember it being her, off I go to check my CDs of hers. Nope. Not on any of the ones I have.
Next up, Mel Torme. Yes. That is the voice I remember. Off to check the Torme CDs. Nope, not there either. How can this be? I know I have heard it more than once, so it must be on someone's disc. Sarah Vaughan? Carmen McRae? Billy Eckstein? NO, no, nada.
The result of this is CDs all mixed up. So, drag out all of them to the dining room table and organize. Family room, bedroom, guest room. No rhyme or reason to how I sorted. And no "Gloomy Sunday".
Amazon.com to the rescue. There is the soundtrack for sale. But what is this 'ships in one to two months?' I know it is a foreign CD, but are they walking it across Europe and swimming the Atlantic Ocean? Anyway, sometime in early April I will be able to listen to several versions of this melody.
Whaddaya bet I find a recording on an old vinyl LP or cassette tape after it arrives. Those are all stored in boxes around here and not checked.
UPDATE: Less than thirty minutes after posting the above, I decided to check a CD compilation titled 'When Loves Goes Wrong'. There on the last track: "Gloomy Sunday" by Mel Torme. Mystery solved.
I watched the 1999 German/Hungarian film "Gloomy Sunday". It was recommended to me by Netflix based on my love of foreign films. The melody was haunting. I knew I'd heard the instrumental version before, but where? And then over the closing credits, an English lyric version, but I seemed to remember a male singer, not a female.
Back to the computer and the good old internet. I googled "Gloomy Sunday" and went to the Wikipedia site. Wow! What a history for this song.
So, there at the bottom of the page is a list of everyone who has recorded the number. A reference to the use of the song in "Schindler's List" solves the question of the instrumental version. But who did I remember singing it?
Billie Holliday is mentioned. So, while I cannot remember it being her, off I go to check my CDs of hers. Nope. Not on any of the ones I have.
Next up, Mel Torme. Yes. That is the voice I remember. Off to check the Torme CDs. Nope, not there either. How can this be? I know I have heard it more than once, so it must be on someone's disc. Sarah Vaughan? Carmen McRae? Billy Eckstein? NO, no, nada.
The result of this is CDs all mixed up. So, drag out all of them to the dining room table and organize. Family room, bedroom, guest room. No rhyme or reason to how I sorted. And no "Gloomy Sunday".
Amazon.com to the rescue. There is the soundtrack for sale. But what is this 'ships in one to two months?' I know it is a foreign CD, but are they walking it across Europe and swimming the Atlantic Ocean? Anyway, sometime in early April I will be able to listen to several versions of this melody.
Whaddaya bet I find a recording on an old vinyl LP or cassette tape after it arrives. Those are all stored in boxes around here and not checked.
UPDATE: Less than thirty minutes after posting the above, I decided to check a CD compilation titled 'When Loves Goes Wrong'. There on the last track: "Gloomy Sunday" by Mel Torme. Mystery solved.
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