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Enjoy Sergei Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, which is also associated with the 1980 film Somewhere in Time, starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour:
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Beautiful. Thanks.....
ReplyDeleteIt really does "have charms to soothe savage breast," doesn't it? (;^)>
ReplyDeleteHave to say, however, that this is not really a performance of Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody in a Theme of Paganini –– a large scale set of variations for piano and orchestra, which I, personally, favor more than any of Rachmaninoff's four concert for piano and orchestra.
This is –– or appears to be –– an improvised MEDITATION on ONE of the variations –– a passionately lyrical, richly harmonized, quintessentially romantic restatement of Paganini's famous these UPSIDE DOWN. This believed variations comes more or less in the middle of the complete work.
This selection appears to be the improvisation used as the sound track for the film Somewhere in Time. For many who saw that film, the film's soundtrack was their first introduction to Rachmaninoff/Paganini.
DeleteIn my view, the film's soundtrack was the best part of the movie!
I appreciated the "laid back" approach....So use to hearing the orchestra bang around at the fortissimos
DeletePaganini, himself, composed variations on this theme for the violin, of course. Liszt was inspirited to do the same for solo piano. Then Brahms wrote TWEO BOOKS of "Variations on a Theme by Paganini" –– probably the most fiendishly difficult pieces un the piano repertoire that qualifies beautiful, genuinely expressive music. After all that came Rachmaninoff.' so-called Rhapsody, which is really another set of extraordinarily well-written variations.
ReplyDeleteI seem to remember that other composers ALSO write variations on this sprightly, incredibly durable, endlessly inspiring theme, but I'd have to look it up to be sure –– and to tell you who they might be.
If you'd like to learn more about the history of this theme and how it has been used since it was first composed by Nicolo Paganini in 1817 and labelled Caprice #24, WIKI does a grand job of giving you far more information than you are ever ever likely to want or need:
ReplyDeletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caprice_No._24_(Paganini)
At 1:40 the more recognizable theme emerges...
ReplyDeletePS: I neglected to say how much I enjoyed the beautiful Nature Walk that accompanied the video AOW presented here today. We don't take note often enough here in the blogosphere how much visual images enhance the effect and meaning of the words we (often clumsily) employ.
ReplyDeleteI've always felt the same way about the so-called "Background Music" composed for the movies –– particularly the highly creative, beautifully composed symphonic music accompanying the elegant melodramas, mysteries, comedies, fantasies, adventure stories, westerns and even the "gritty," "socially significant" claptrap produced from the late 1030's through much of the 1950's.
Once the SICK-sties took hold, commercial music ceased to be genuinely creative and took a decided turn for the worse. The recent substitution of music composed and performed on electronic SYNTHESIZERS sounded the Death Knell for the once-vibrant genre.
Though I've been forced many times to use them, the spread of ELECTRONIC ORGANS and the burgeoning demand for "Christian Rock" "Guitar Masses," and "Praise Choruses" has all-but destroyed quality in liturgical music in the small parish churches across the land.
In trying to explain my opposition to electronic organs and the like I've told countless hundreds of deaf-eared parishioners who stupidly think only of MONEY –– or worse, the desire to appear "With It" to younger generations –– that electronic instruments are to music what plastic flowers are to an altar or a dinner table.
But how is that ever going to get through to a people who now –– according to depressing reports by Matt Drudge –– are rapidly embracing the idea that SEX with ROBOTS will be easier, cheaper and more satisfying than SEX with a fellow human beings?
To all that I say with certain knowledge, "A little bit of REAL is far better than a lifetime supply of ARTIFICIAL.
I chose this video primarily because of the images presented.
DeleteVery pretty video...and quite well played piano..thanks.
ReplyDeleteHope you're feeling better? xxx
Z,
DeleteThe colon bleed and possible staph infection appear to be over. How I picked up cryptosporidium and a staph infection remain a mystery.
The grinding-me-down ureteral pain continues.
My upcoming kidney surgery may or may not solve the pain problem.
Well, it just damned BETTER! I'll continue to pray. xxx
DeleteZ,
DeleteI can't imagine the future if I can't get rid of this debilitating pain!
What a lovely walk through the woods this is!
ReplyDeleteNot a big Rachmaninoff fan but that was superb.
ReplyDeleteVery soothing.
Something soothing is what is needed before Tuesday!
DeleteI was going to say we would all benefit from listening to something like that before voting.
DeleteDucky, I agree...not a big fan of his, tho I've played some of his stuff, but we do need something like this...we need to all CALM DOWN, don't we.
DeleteHERE IT IS The OCTOBER SURPRISE We’ve All Been Dreading
ReplyDeleteThe OTHER SHOE has DROPPED (Courtesy of Matt Drudge)
Heh heh heh! You aways knew Comey was gonna getcha, did'ncha?
CONFUSED COMEY CLEARS HER AGAIN!
TRUMP: 'SHE'S PROTECTED BY RIGGED SYSTEM'
Frankly, I didn't expect anything else.
DeleteThe long tentacles of the Clinton Political Machine, funded by hook and by crook!