Musical aficionados have long been enamoured with the purity of boy's unchanged voices. I recently discovered a vocal ensemble that takes my appreciation of the unchanged voice to a new level. 'Libera' is a group of young male performers who meet together at a church in South London to produce some of the most hauntingly beautiful vocal works I have ever heard. Their range and vocal flexibility is nothing but phenomenal. "With shimmering mystical chords and ecstatic harmonies, their voices provide a truly liberating and uplifting experience. At times chillingly plaintive, at others climactic and transcendent."

'Libera's' most recent recording, Angel Voices, is truly not to be missed. A variety of songs are offered all sung in a style that can only be described as ethereal. "They are boys, and they sing, but don't call them choirboys. 'Libera' prefer to be called a vocal group--a real boy band, if you like. And from the first soaring atmospheric moments of this CD you know that they are unlike any vocal group--or choirboys--you've ever heard."

You can view a complete listing of the songs from Angel Voices and hear sound clips at Libera:Angel Voices

On the 'lighter' side......


A perfect Valentine greeting for those of us who have run into trouble with matters of the heart ;)

Water Music

King George I assumed the the crown of Great Britain and Ireland on August 1, 1714. He was the first British king from The House of Hanover. George supposedly could not speak English and his ministers could not speak German so right away one can see that the political climate surrounding King George I was not too serene. He was an extremely unpopular monarch. He was perceived as too German and his subjects did not hesitate to make fun of his "uncouth German ways". King George had his wife imprisoned in a castle. She was denied access to her children and forbidden to remarry. She was endowed with an income, establishment and servants. She was allowed to ride in a carriage outside the castle, with supervision, of course. While poor Sophia was locked away, George made merry with a succession of German mistresses. Yes, George was evidently quite the party animal and one of his favorite pastimes was to take pleasure in London's Thames river. You guessed it.....King George had a party barge.

Now in the 1700's, monster sound systems were in short supply and, surprisingly enough, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards weren't born yet, so King George I had to make do with what was available. He had the popular German composer, George Frideric Handel, write some music and get an orchestra together for a big party to be held on July 17, 1717. The party was described by yet another German, Friedrich Bonet: 'At about eight in the evening, the King repaired to his barge. Next to the King's barge was that of the musicians, about 50 in number....no singers. The music had been composed specially by the famous Handel....His Majesty's approval of it was so great that he caused it to be played three times in all, twice before and once after supper, even though each performance lasted an hour.'

Robert Dearling writes that "The Thames was crammed with boats whose occupants wanted to catch a glimpse of the royal party. From Whitehall the flotilla sailed majestically to Lord Ranelagh's residence at Chelsea where the party alighted and took a choice supper at 1 am. Two hours later it made it's way back, arriving at St. James's about 4:30 am. A leisurely trip, and time enough to enjoy Handel's music, even if Thameside residents may have found it a little unsuitable for small-hours listening."

Handel took enormous pains in composing Water Music. He wrote music to suit every eventuality the evening might present including quiet floating music, ceremonial fanfares, sounds to aid digestion, loud music to announce the king's passage along the river and so on and so forth.

Can you imagine witnessing this spectacle? The women and men in their ornate Baroque clothing and wigs. The banquet of food, the wine, the fireworks, the clandestine and not so clandestine liaisons, the intrigue..... all accompanied by Handel's magnificent Water Music.

If you are unfamiliar with Handel's Water Music, I strongly suggest you take the time to listen to it. I recommend the recording by Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields conducted by Sir Neville Marriner. You might recognize a few of the tunes as they are frequently used in weddings, the Olympic ceremonies and various other modern day events. There are twenty separate movements in the orchestral work so the listener is sure to find some bit of music that suits his or her fancy.

As the music floats through my headphones tonight, I think of the word 'effervescent'. And, though perhaps not historically accurate, I imagine the bell-like tones of crystal goblets filled with champagne as they meet in a toast to the pleasures of life.

Musical Downsizing

My brother gave me three CD's for Christmas. Nothing too surprising about that. He always asks for a Christmas "wish list" and the selections he gave me were taken from my list. I was, however, I bit shocked with my own musical requests. I tend to like lush, melodic, 'large' music with a myriad of instruments and beautiful harmony. Puccini operas, Mozart, Beethoven, the Beatles, the Eagles, Guns 'n' Roses, vocalists backed with an orchestra, large choirs singing intricate harmonies.

I am the first to admit that I am a bit of a musical fanatic. I teach music. I think about it a lot. I am immersed in it. I love music. And I have very strong musical opinions. I am totally appalled by many of the musical offerings available to the public in this day and age. It seems we have reached a point where talent, musical knowledge, musical technique and even musical ability are no longer a requirement for superstardom. So many vocalists and bands sound exactly the same to me. I firmly believe their 'sameness' derives from the fact that so many of today's "artists" are not really musicians. Or maybe I should say that so many of today's "musicians" are not really artists. Regardless, and before I really get into a major sermon based on my musical views, I think a lot of the so called music on the market today is just commercial crap. I mean Paris Hilton a musician? Give me a break.

Now....back to what I began to write about in my first paragraph.....I know, I know...I get carried away. What can I say? I'm a classically trained musician. I could discuss and debate music for days. I surprised myself with my musical wish list because I strayed from my usual listening tastes and, no, I did not ask for the Paris Hilton CD.

I was a Kris Kristofferson fan in the 70's. He wrote some great music and I was totally into the Barbra Streisand/Kris Kristofferson flick A Star Is Born. Kris played an aging rock star on his way out and his character in the movie seemed rather prophetic for what was happening in his real life musical career. His voice was sort of rusty and abused. And he pretty much had a personal and professional meltdown in the 80's. I wanted to hear what he had to offer as a solo artist twenty-something years later so I asked for his 2006 release "This Old Road". I am not disappointed. His voice is cleaner than I've ever heard it. Kris isn't a very melodic singer and most of the songs on this CD are very sparse. Mostly just Kris and a guitar. His lyrics are layered with nuance and wisdom. Very powerful. A sample from "In The News": "...Burning up the atmosphere and cutting down the trees; The billion dollar bombing of a nation on its knees; Anyone not marching to their tune they call it treason; Everyone says God is on his side. See the lightning, hear the cries; Of the wounded in a world in Holy war; Mortal thunder from the skies; Killing everything they say they're fighting for....."

Next on my wish list was the soundtrack from Brokeback Mountain. No discussion of the subject matter of the movie.....maybe we'll do that in another post. The music from this movie is excellent. Again, very sparse. Most of it is guitar, pump organ and pedal steel guitar. Haunting melodies with unexpected harmonic twists here and there. Some excellent collaborations between Gustav Santaolalla and Bernie Taupin. Great vocals by Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris and others.

Last, but not least, my brother gave me Dwight Yoakam's "Blame The Vain". It is a 2005 release, but I didn't have it yet. Again, I am not disappointed. Classic Yoakam with a few quirky surprises thrown in for good measure. Not as sparse as Kristofferson and the Brokeback Mountain soundtrack, but I love that Bakersfield sound. We lost Buck Owens this year so it is up to Dwight to keep it going.

Hope you had the merriest Christmas ever and Happy New Year! I'm gonna listen to some good tunes now........

Alright, Tiggerlane, why would anyone just presume that I don't "often share your musical interests"? !!! Are you saying that our readers should presume that I am a more serious musician than you are? Are you telling our readers that I don't reach your musical standards because I don't listen to Panic At The Disco and the Gnarly Whatevers? Is this a round-a-bout way of making sure our readers remember that I am ten years older than you? ARE YOU ASKING OUR READERS TO PRESUME THAT I AM NOT COOL?!!!!

FYI, dear readers.....I am a classically trained pianist and a classically trained vocalist. I eat, sleep and breathe music because I teach music and because I absolutely adore music. And, yes, I take music very seriously. My dear friend, Tiggerlane , is the undisputed Queen of Pop Culture. I bow to her vast knowledge of all things current including pop music. But please don't presume that I am a narrow minded musical bigot!! As a matter of fact, as I type, I am listening to Frank Sinatra Reprise. Is that not cool?!!! Oh, he's crooning Fly Me To The Moon in my ears....."Fill my heart with song and let me sing forever more. You are all I long for, all I worship and adore. In other words, please be true. In other words, I love you....."

Now I don't have any fancy little clips for you to listen to or watch or whatever....sorry! But here are some other selections from my current listening list: Dixie Chicks Wide Open Spaces; Mozart Requiem; Guns 'n' Roses Greatest Hits; soundtrack from Collateral; Vivaldi The Four Seasons; Eagles Hell Freezes Over; The Cranberries No Need To Argue; 3 Doors Down Away From The Sun. Come on now, Tigger, there are couple of things on my list that are under ten years old....sigh....

"And now the end is near and so I face the final curtain. My friend, I'll say it clear. I'll state my case of which I'm certain. I've lived a life that's full. I've traveled each and every highway. And, more, much more than this, I did it My Way....." Love ya, Tigger!!