AN ALPINE SYMPHONY

On other pages of this blog, I've admitted to my passion for the operas and music of Richard Wagner. In grave fear of being accused of having a 'thing' for German Romantic composers, here, today, in fact right now, I will also own up to a love of Richard Strauss' music. ( And no, not the waltzing Strausses) My favourite music of the moment is his tone poem , An Alpine Symphony, completed in 1915, which depicts a day excursion in the Bavarian Alps, a memory from Strauss' adolescence.

I first heard it in concert with my beloved Sydney Symphony Orchestra, maybe 15 years ago. The orchestral colour blew me away, that plus the monumental musical forces Strauss employs....an orchestra of 123 players including a huge brass section on and off the stage, a wind machine, a thunder machine and a pipe organ. I was completely swept off my feet by the music that night,almost in a swoon...I have a really vivid recollection of it.

Such is the nature of passion.

On Saturday, 31st May, you'll be able to watch a live video stream of the Sydney Symphony, conducted by Charles Dutoit, from the concert hall of the Sydney Opera House, perform this astonishing symphonic work.

Below is the Syd. Symph. with current conductor Maestro Gelmetti, and man who'll do the arm-waving from next year, Maestro Ashkenazy.

FIRST FLOWERS ON THE WATTLE

This beautiful wattle tree in my front yard rated a mention last year as well, but I was surprised to find that it is beginning to burst into flower. It doesn't normally flower until late June, but after experiencing very little summer this year , an early autumn and already many days and nights of what passes for "winter" here, it's very much ahead of itself.

It's called Acacia Macradenia or Zig-zag Wattle, as it has zig-zagging branches and it's perfume is absolutely heavenly! Many people are allergic to wattle pollen unfortunately.

MUSIC MONDAY

This is just a hook to hang today's post on...Music Monday.

There's a great music venue, about 30 minutes drive from here, overlooking Currumbin Creek, called The Soundlounge. One of my current fave bands, The Audreys, performed there last week, supported by J Walker aka Machine Translations ( that's him below). TOP night!

RECENT ATCS

Because of the ATC group I'm in, and all the swapping we do, there are lots of new ATCs I've made recently.

The two above were for made What Inspires Me and Art Mediums swaps, while the 2 below were for Black Cat and Pink swaps.


This little hobby is very addictive...so many ideas, so little time to devote to making them! If you are interested in swapping ATCs, please just let me know.

SET OFF THE FIREWORKS!!

STRIKE UP THE BAND! DECLARE A PUBLIC HOLIDAY!

Time to put the toe back into the BlogWorld water! A bit of a new look to the blog, but the same old rabbitting-on......I don't like too much change!