Archive for July, 2009

Boardwalk Empire on HBO (we’ll get it a …

Boardwalk Empire on HBO (we’ll get it at some point in UK) I can’t wait… Scorsese directing a TV drama? You better believe it.
http://boardwalkempire.com/boardwalk-empire-update/

Right I am going out to buy the book…

Cameron Carpenter and other YouTube organ clips..

I have been obsessing lately, (only as a performer, promise…) over this chap…

This is his fantastic Improvisations on a Theme of Carmen/Bizet on the Trinity Wall Street virtual pipe organ, (the original one was destroyed by dust in the 9/11 attacks, so they’ve replaced it with a ‘virtual’ M&O organ).  There are lots of videos on YouTube of this guy flying about on the keys like nothing I have seen.  Although a virtuoso, he has transcribed many popular classical pieces for the organ successfully.  I have always found the results of transcriptions to be something that happens with varying degrees of success, Dr Martin Souter had, for me, achieved this consistently with his two recordings on the organ at Winchester Cathedral.

In my organist days, I found that many of these ‘virtuosos’ like many of those that find minor fame tend to come across as pretty pompous.  The nicest organist I met was Prof (back then he was a Dr) Ian Tracey, who I heard play at Branscombe parish church many years ago (two manual organ with a Trombone 16′ and a 32′ Resultant Bass), and then met a few more, including Christopher Gower who was at that time Organist at Peterbourough Cathedral who was also very nice.  But, alas Carlo Curley was, well, words escape me but I didn’t quite gell with him.  So I hope that CC isn’t, well like the other CC.

In a fit of nerdy organ anarackyness here are a few of stunning clips off the YouTubeygig.

Cameron Carpenters transcription of ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’ by Modest Mussorgsky. Possibly Trinity Wall Street again?

Cameron Carpenter on The Culture Show..

Cameron Carpenter explaining the concepts and principals of the virtual organ. What makes it different from the regular ‘digital organ’ i.e Wyvern, Allen etc.

Paul Jacobs is considered by most to be one of the best Bach performers of the present day.  This clip is performed at the Crystal Cathedral on their monstrous Moller/Skinner instrument which is (confirmation?) 5th largest in the world. ”Sinfonia” from Cantata 29 by Bach.

This is, without a doubt, one of the best recordings of this piece I have ever heard. Played on the instruments of the Hohen Dom zu Koln, (Colgne Cathedral) “Winfried Bonig plays the Querhaus and Langhausorgel (transept and nave organs) in this fantastic performance of Eugene Gigout’s Grand Choeur Dialogue. This piece offers the opportunity to hear both organs in spatial alteration. Only on the last chord are both organs heard at the same time.”

Joseph Jongen, a Belgian progidy who has composed some of the most romantic music I have personally ever heard.  His ‘Choral’ is here being played on the Wanamaker Organ at Macy’s in Philadelphia, the largest playable instrument in the world.  Officially the largest instrument is in Atlantic City in the Boardwalk Convention hall (last time I heard) however it was simply too big, and only half of it is playable.

Update and Robin Williams, classic 1979 on CBS

I sat here for a bit thinking, now what exactly am I going to write in my blog.  Given I have been very slack in writing ANYTHING, let alone blog entries, I think I have to at least show that I am still alive and although the tumultous way life is going at the moment is making writing anything very hard, I can at least give some sort of indication that blood runs through my veins and that neural signals bounce around my head in an unproductive, disorderly sort of way, as usual.

The long and the short of the matter is that since Laura and I separated a couple of weeks ago, or was it months? I have been concentrating on coming to terms with the fact that we have to sell the house and that our lives are going to change monumentally.  Laura has been going through prolonged periods of total depression which seem to be getting worse, however she being her, won’t talk to someone professional about it which could mean that she ends up with longer lasting issues.  But I have tried to talk to her about this, she’s not budging so what else can you do? Answers on a postcard please…

I am having fantastic support from Tori and Polly who have been there every step of the way so far, and I am concentrating on coming out ‘the other side’ when we are both a lot happier in our own houses and surrounded by people who we get on with.  So yes, fun for everyone.

Lets lighten the mood with two clips that show Robin Williams’ early genius…

Doom and Gloom? Not likely…

Well the situation could be the easiest way to be doomy and gloomy but I am going to try and keep the old chin up.  So far it has all be amicable but we sat down and talked and, well, if anything is going to cause an upset it’s going to be the TV.

But my inner buddhist says that there’s no point worrying, my inner capitalist is screaming at the inner buddhist saying “shut up!!” so now it’s an internal thing.

I will keep it updated more then I have, but the best way to keep up to date with me is to ring me.

Protected: Final curtains, the end, adios…

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It is strange how, when things start hap …

It is strange how, when things start happening that I write in this blog less? It’s even weirder as they are/could be life changing. What happens when you fall out of love with someone who you have loved for six years? Everything changes.


I’m a Twit, how about you?

RSS Cheesegreen – My poetry ‘Plog’

  • Owe 08/11/2009
    I’m going to Make you an offer. You’re going to like It. Life isn’t very good At this sort of thing. So I’ll sell you my Soul. Posted by Wordmobi
    Chris
  • Cyclone 04/11/2009
    I walk a cyclone on a nylon lead They can be cared for really easily, Remember they will always need to feed In wind and rain and other weather fronts, Engulfing all that stands up in it’s way Trains and cars, People and wildlife too. The upkeep can be quite prohibitive If you have nowhere else to really live, The cyclone never sleeps, [...]
    Chris
  • Rolling 31/10/2009
    Roll your tongue over the slow earth, the live earth told in slow dreams. Letter over letter, lets roll over.
    Chris
  • Pasta Sauce 31/10/2009
    Hooray for pasta sauce, Only the stuff in a jar of course, The other stuff is poncy and grim And yes it’ll help you keep all slim, It’s not the same as the stuff in a jar This wonderful Italian ambrosiarr. Made in Norwich and bottled in Gwent? It’s the taste I love, and it’s left me spent. [...]
    Chris
  • Poetry Addict 31/10/2009
    Hi, I’m Chris, Response: Hi Chris And I am a poetry addict. I have been clean now for three months, My head is full of facts and figures, No stanzas or trochees or sestinas. No rhymes. Just statistics. At my worst, I rhymed everything I spoke. Trying to get a point across was a joke, I couldn’t stop thinking like Dr Seuss, And soon my [...]
    Chris
  • Exmouth (after an argument) 31/10/2009
    Why would you want to be In that weird little place by the sea. Why would you make the trek to a place that has no self respect? Why would you want to be seen In a place where better days have been Why would you make a home, In a place where they steal garden gnomes, Why would you take your gran To [...]
    Chris
  • Wedding Ring 28/10/2009
    Took off my ring, Yet it is imprinted on my skin, Punched and branded like Cattle. You saw me do it But chose not to say anything, Although it has been a long time coming. My finger is the only part of me, that is fine.
    Chris
  • Services (Gordano) 28/10/2009
    We’ve stopped,  and our aching bodies function again, after three hours in hyperspace. Place your feet on martian aggregate. Bright white walls, candy coloured cuddly brand logos, shining in a radioactive post apocalyptic flicker. The foyer, home to sedated loney cheeseplants living next a faux-oasis in a stasis of activity. Baby changing facilities, s […]
    Chris
  • Effy 28/10/2009
    Effy smoked Like life was ending in an hour. But it would in ten years. She didn’t seem to care as nicotenel patches adorned her arm, flat limpets on a cragging saggy rock. One night, she spontaneously combusted, leaving a pair of charred feet. And a fag butt.
    Chris
  • Cathedral 28/10/2009
    No ball games On ancient bricks, Viynl chips the brittle Sandstone. Base of the tower, grand old lady in goal. With every shot she Neither dives or jumps. Static, still and almighty. 800 years can stop more then a football. History patched and quilted in to brickwork.
    Chris

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