Saturday, January 5, 2019

The ' Faceless' Conductor and the 'Oldie' Singer


On a  lazy day, I like to stay for a while in my pajamas, near a bowl of popcorn and/or a bowl of fruit salad, and enjoy some musical performances available  on Youtube. Here's a selection:

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One of my favorites is Rondo Siciliano. This orchestra has all the right 'ingredients': a beautiful soprano singer, a charismatic violin player, a good choir, but... a somehow, faceless conductor.That is, we're seldom shown his face.  Sometimes, like in the video below, we get a glimpse at his profile. He's mainly'n the dark, his back at the audience, tall and stiff, with only his hands moving. That's the basic, effortless technique in conducting, we're told.


The Storm violin (Vivaldi)

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Unlike the above conductor, the 'chief' of another favorite orchestra (a much smaller one,  a band , called  Pink Martini),is omnipresent. He usually opens the show, closes it,  jumps on his chair, moves every part of his body, especially the hands (he's the pianist) .

Quite an attraction, I would say, although not as much an attraction as the lead singer, Storm Large. Oh, my, she's good, very good, and...sexy (see the  tattoo on her nude back).



'Amado Mio' ('My beloved') with singer Storm Large

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The croatian cello player, Hauser,is too theatrical for my taste,regardless of whether he performs solo or in a duet. And yet, I keep watching him again and again (especially in Adagio). I suppose it's the combination of his acclaimed virtuosity and his obvious  beauty that attracts me to his videos. The conductor, a woman for a change (short cut hair, masculine black outfit...), 'watches' carefully over him. Shall we call her Maestro or Maestra?



Adagio (Albinoni)
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And last but not least, the famous  american 'oldie but goodie' Cher. What a performer!! She completely dominates the scene with her voice and presence. She  glides around with such easiness and elegance! ( no need for all the fuss around her, made by male and female  flamenco dancers;  they are all, however,very exciting, especially the one with the scandinavian looks, opening and leading the show!).


Dov'e  L'amore (Where's love) with Cher


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36 comments:

  1. Terrific selections, Duta. I especially love (and always have) Pink Martini. I'd love to see them live in concert. But all were intriguing and I enjoyed listening to each.

    Thanks for stopping by my place. Always lovely to see your comments and visit. I can tell you're enjoying the new year because with music like this, who wouldn't?!

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    1. Indeed,the thought of starting the new year with music I enjoy has crossed my mind.
      I would like to see them all live in concert, but at a certain age we come to appreciate what Youtube can offer us,in our comfort zone, without leaving home - and, believe me, it's quite a lot.

      Thanks for your always kind words, Jeanie.

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  2. I like lazy comfortable days, too. There are so many things to be found on Youtube.

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    1. Me, too. I have 'passive lazy' days like the one above, and more 'active lazy days' when I actually do something , not only viewing and listening.
      For example, I'm planning a day for finally improving my blog's appearance: changing the header, updating the profile photo, updating list of blogs I follow, etc..

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  3. Isn't music wonderful, I just love it.
    So much variety and it so often takes us to a different place.
    I love all of your selections here, each so different, but a joy to listen to.

    Have a wonderful 2019.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Yes, it is. It's wonderful, versatile, uplifting. I have great respect and admiration for the various performers and orchestra conductors that offer us such great pleasure and joy.

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  4. Replies
    1. Well, you know, there used to be certain gossip about her that overshadowed her musical and artistic skills. Pity!
      She's a great performer,no doubt about that.

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  5. Croatians also have 2Cellos, two guys who play modern music on cellos, they're quite huge around the world. We have Slobodan Trkulja and Balkanopolis who perform orchestral music with our traditional instruments.
    I still can't believe Cher is like close to 80 or something.... But she did feed on younger men throughout her life, a recipe confirmed by Joann Collins too :)))

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    1. I"ll sure look for the 2 croations and 2 serbians mentioned by you.

      "..feed on younger men.." - that sounds terrible, but I suppose there's some truth in it; the reverse is also true - old men feeding on younger women (younger 'flesh', as it's often described).
      Age isn't the barrier it was supposed to be, and who are we to judge?!

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  6. We all need days of wearing PJs and enjoying some favorite treats while enjoying some YouTube performances by groups we enjoy. Friends in Oregon introduced us to Pink Martini and I have enjoyed watching some of their performances online too. Cher is always a terrific entertainer, who has proven early critics wrong, I agree.

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    1. "..days of wearing PJS..". I like the phrase, and it especially fits days in winter, when the outdoors are not very appealing.
      On such days, Youtube is a saver with its variety of music, ballets, and other forms of entertainment.

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  7. Replies
    1. By 'all' you mean the two singers: Storm Large, and Cher. Yes, indeed, they got thrilling voices and presence, offering us a great musical performance!

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  8. Stejpan Hauser! He's one of the 2Cellos. Have you seen their rendition of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah? You might like it. Very calm and not much theatrics.

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    1. Thank you, Sandi, for directing me to the 2Cellos video. You're right about it. Two young cellists, one of them Hauser, performing Halleluja. Indeed, he's less theatrical here and the whole performance is peaceful. I sure like it.

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  9. Looks like a wonderful selection! I will take some time and listen to them, and watch the movements too, I love your mentioning of the way each uses a different way of expression with performing the music or singing!! SOunds like a cozy start to the New Year, so cute the popcorn with the viewing!! (or fruit!, but the popcorn popped out as a fun combination with the depth of the musics you chose, and the pure comfort of having the foods you love!) Blessings!

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    1. Take your time, Shayndele..no hurry! Pay attention to the virtuosity of the violonist and cellist, the voices and performance of the two singers, and the person who's above all - the conductor.

      Well, popcorn and fruit, are the usual snacks that accompany most of us when viewing movies, sports, or some other form of entertainment.

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  10. Music is such an important part of our lives because it connects the soul and mind, and I shall go back to the selection you have made later on today and savour the magic of the sounds.

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    1. Oh, Vera! You should know best. You're a musician and a choir conductor. I greatly appreciate your multi musical talent.

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  11. It's a snowy day, here. It's on its way, and -15 C. this morning. A good day to stay indoors!

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    1. The truth is, in our part of the world, we don't have many days suitable for staying indoors, even in winter. That's why we read less books,and practice less the various crafts than in places such as Canada or Scandinavia. Most of the time we are or want to be outdoors.It's a warm climate.

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  12. What eclectic taste you have, my dear! And what amazing taste at that. For a minute there I thought your theme was “Stormy” music, as in “The STORM Violin” and next up, STORM Large. But then I see that you’ve veered from the storm and taken us to Albinoni, among my all-time favorites – and what a beautiful rendition. If I were that conductor, I’d be carefully watching over him too. As popular as Cher is, I’ve never been much of a fan. This music makes me want to kick back with a bowl of popcorn or fruit salad too. Wow! Thank you.

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    1. Thank you, Debra, for your generous compliment.
      I like it how you connect the Storm of the violin and the name of the singer which is also Storm.
      Albinoni's Adagio never ever loses its charm and popularity. How could it? it was also used as background music for various movies and TV programmes.

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  13. That sounds like a perfect day! Thank you for sharing music of artists I did not know about, except for Cher of course.

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    1. I'm pleased to hear that. Youtube takes good care of our entertainment as well as of our other needs (its DIY tutorials for instance, are sometimes priceless).

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    2. I am addicted to Youtube! I love watching videos on art, mixed media, painting, DIY. So much better than some of the rubbish on regular TV!

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    3. Youtube is a great platform!
      Me, I watch tutorials on a variety of subjects: sewing, DIY, entertainment, etc.. In my younger days I used to buy guide books on these subjects (no Google, no Youtube in those days...
      The books were expensive and not as efficient as the youtube tutorials.

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  14. Hello Duta, having seen on a previous day what you have in this post, I've popped back with more time and have thoroughly enjoyed watching and listening.
    Wow! I must do this more often - what gems you found. Such stirring performances!
    Thank you :D)

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    1. Glad you've enjoyed these 'gems'. By all means, do this more often! And you don't even have to leave the comfort of your home for that.

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  15. You have great taste in music, Duta! Will be checking more of the performers out on Youtube. We saw Cher recently, could've almost reached out and touched her when on stage. Great performer, with an abundance of costumes, great voice, and very entertaining. Sounds like you enjoyed your day. Everyone needs a lazy day for sure. Take care

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    1. Thanks, Pam.
      Well, I guess Cher likes it big: costumes, dances, lights as it can be seen in the video. Good music is good music whether on a small scale or in a big show.

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    1. I can see she's very loved and popular, and not only by her generation; also by the younger ones. Lucky her!
      Happy New Year to you too!

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  17. This is interesting. I live in rural Alabama. We only had two tv stations when I was in high school, but I remember seeing Sonny and Cher on Where the Action Is in 1965. They made me want to learn how to play guitar.

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  18. Yes, Sonny and Cher were an iconic couple! I'm not surprised that their performance made you want to learn play the guitar.

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