19/10/2004
Stranger and stranger... but with a happy ending
It was just after dawn... You'll have to imagine the spooky sound effects.
I know we have foxes, as I see a rather large one trotting down the path by the stream most evenings, but today I heard them howling around eight o' clock this morning, which is quite late to be kicking up a fuss as only foxes can.
Then I heard the brown owl screeching- very late indeed for him- and I saw him take a pass over the garden and settle into his tree. (quite a thrill, as I hear the owls more often than see them, and I have never seen one in the morning)
When Sprog minor rang to check in as he does most mornings, I told him I fully expected to see a witch on a broomstick next... Is this a sign??
No, I really can't start writing magical tales on top of everything else Can I?
Anyway, my writer's muddle is sorted. The solution? Quite simple really. Play my favourite recording of Handel's Messiah.
Warning: This may not work for everyone- but I'm surely the only music student who was almost thrown out of their digs in London for playing the Messiah non-stop.
A bag of goodies to anyone who can better my record!
The first time I sang in the Messiah was for the BBC Northern Singers. I had just been accepted by the group, and we were to make one of the first (we're talking way back here!) small 'authentic' chorus recordings for Radio 3. That meant 4 singers to each line only.
I was seventeen at the time, and didn't know the Messiah from meshugah (sorry, Yiddish joke)
Obviously, I blagged my way through- we're talking the late great Sir Charlie Groves conducting the Liverpool Philharmonic orchestra, and you just don't put your hand up and say, 'excuse me, I've never sung the Messiah before, Sir Charles-'
Somehow, I pulled it off without a bum note... and yes, I cried when everyone in the audience stood for the Hallelujah Chorus- You try singing, and crying at the same time!
Thing was you see, as I had never even attended a performance of the Messiah I had no idea this happened. How right it seemed.
A love was born that day. One of the great loves of my life. For Handel, for his music, and most especially for his greatest work, The Messiah.
Wishing you music wherever you go...
Love
Susan
I know we have foxes, as I see a rather large one trotting down the path by the stream most evenings, but today I heard them howling around eight o' clock this morning, which is quite late to be kicking up a fuss as only foxes can.
Then I heard the brown owl screeching- very late indeed for him- and I saw him take a pass over the garden and settle into his tree. (quite a thrill, as I hear the owls more often than see them, and I have never seen one in the morning)
When Sprog minor rang to check in as he does most mornings, I told him I fully expected to see a witch on a broomstick next... Is this a sign??
No, I really can't start writing magical tales on top of everything else Can I?
Anyway, my writer's muddle is sorted. The solution? Quite simple really. Play my favourite recording of Handel's Messiah.
Warning: This may not work for everyone- but I'm surely the only music student who was almost thrown out of their digs in London for playing the Messiah non-stop.
A bag of goodies to anyone who can better my record!
The first time I sang in the Messiah was for the BBC Northern Singers. I had just been accepted by the group, and we were to make one of the first (we're talking way back here!) small 'authentic' chorus recordings for Radio 3. That meant 4 singers to each line only.
I was seventeen at the time, and didn't know the Messiah from meshugah (sorry, Yiddish joke)
Obviously, I blagged my way through- we're talking the late great Sir Charlie Groves conducting the Liverpool Philharmonic orchestra, and you just don't put your hand up and say, 'excuse me, I've never sung the Messiah before, Sir Charles-'
Somehow, I pulled it off without a bum note... and yes, I cried when everyone in the audience stood for the Hallelujah Chorus- You try singing, and crying at the same time!
Thing was you see, as I had never even attended a performance of the Messiah I had no idea this happened. How right it seemed.
A love was born that day. One of the great loves of my life. For Handel, for his music, and most especially for his greatest work, The Messiah.
Wishing you music wherever you go...
Love
Susan
