A wealth of festive musical ideas
CHRISTMAS time is traditionally a time of giving and receiving, and undoubtedly one of the greatest gifts is that of music. It is probably one of the few gifts which can even be given before birth. Shinichi Suzuki, the great pedagogue, recognised the importance of prenatal listening and advocated playing classical music for the unborn foetus, observing that children who listened daily to one piece of music before birth, recognised it as their own after birth.
Music is a powerful force, which creates deep emotions and is part of our society and all communities. It is also of great value, and music study is known to develop skills such as teamwork and discipline. These are just a few musical gifts this year, some of which are possibly a little unusual.
Books
There are many books on the internet, from classical to world music. There are many biographies and music dictionaries, or what about testing your knowledge of classical music with the Classical FM Friendly Music Quiz Book? It follows the hugely successful Classic FM Friendly Guide to Music and has over 1,000 quirky questions in a wide range of categories with the answers to test your knowledge. The author, Darren Henley, is the Managing Director of Classic FM, with his radio programmes having been honoured by the Sony Radio Academy Awards, the British Radio Awards, the New York International Radio Festival and the United Nations.
CDs
The Mall of Cyprus has a wonderful shop Public, which has a fair sized selection of very well priced classical CDs. The Naxos label is a favourite of mine as the recordings are good and the sleeve notes are well written and most informative. Another well priced label is the 10-year old Brilliant Classics available in over 40 countries including Cyprus. The quality and diversity of the label is appreciated by audiences and critics and has won numerous awards and distinctions. Brilliant Classics offers new recordings by both prominent, seasoned artists and new emerging talent. Another plus factor is that they offer complete recordings of the oeuvre of composers with excellent studio acoustics, cleverly packed in space saving wallets.
Musical Socks – Fridge magnets – Oven gloves
There is something for everyone at ViennaWorld.com – it is a wonderful shop on the corner opposite the Albertina Art Museum in Vienna and has something for everyone. All the items are useful and have musical notes, treble clefs or phrases of great composers printed on them. So whether it is a fridge magnet, dishcloth, pencil, pen, bow tie, mug, musical spaghetti, tissues, watch, bathrobe and slippers or even musical macaroni, you can log on and order directly.
Musical Holidays
What about a holiday which incorporates your favourite style of music? There are many specialised tours where you can be part of world class music festivals with lectures and performances given in the magical surroundings of debut performances. So, whether it is Paris for a symphony concert, or Verona for a night of opera or a trip down the Danube, make a week or weekend of it and become a culture vulture. Don’t forget that Cyprus too has chamber music weeks – keep your eyes glued to these pages for more news in 2008.
Paintings
There are some wonderful paintings in oils, water-colours, prints or whatever medium you prefer which incorporate musical themes. Painters like Marc Chagall, whose home town was Vitebsk, used the fiddler in his art to show cross points of life like births, weddings and death. One can find copies of his famous painting The Blue Violinist in poster form. Other artists who incorporate music into their art include Rosina Wachtmeister as does American Alfred Gockel. Or even better, why not try your own hand – it’s really simple, inexpensive and with some Mozart symphonies in the background, your own creative genius will surface.
Subscriptions to concert series
An annual subscription is a gift which will not only serve to support the arts but also bring the recipient many hours of musical pleasure throughout the year. The Pharos Trust offers various packages for both individuals and companies with the contributions fully tax deductible under Cyprus law. Forms can be obtained online from www.thepharostrust.org or by telephoning 22-663871.
Another performer’s network is the Ledra Music Soloists, who also offer subscriptions to their series and can be contacted on telephone 22-352355 or forms can be sent via internet from www.ledramusic.org
The Cyprus Symphony Orchestra gives concerts regularly, with tickets at simply giveaway prices – the programmes are varied and with their latest brochure detailing all the concerts for the season, one can choose the most suitable programme for your pleasure.
Instruments
Learning an instrument, and especially an orchestral instrument, is wonderful because it gives you the opportunity to be part of a team and have fun with other like-minded people. Although it does take a few years, with ‘practise making perfect’, what about investigating the Youth Orchestra to enhance your children’s musical pleasure.
Pianists’ Circles
This is one that costs absolutely no money: be part of the pianists’ circle, who meet regularly in private homes to play to each other in informal settings. Concerts are only open to performers and friends, with the objective to make friends, have fun and improve each pianist’s standard of playing. David Pentecost can be contacted for more information on 99-117265 or by email at [email protected]
Radio
A portable radio makes a wonderful gift for both young and old. With the advent of television and the visual media, all too often the radio is forgotten, but the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation offers classical music every day across three of its four radio channels. PMClassics on Channel 2 every weekday from 1.45-4pm and on Monday evenings, Classical Path from 10pm to midnight. Programmes on Channel 1 (in Greek) every weekday from 9pm, and Andreas Iacovvides Monday to Saturday from 9.30-10am.
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all who have taken the time and trouble to write in, and I wish you all a healthy and happy Christmas.
JOKE
A double bass player arrived a few minutes late for the first rehearsal of the local choral society’s annual performance of Handel’s Messiah. He picked up his instrument and bow, and turned his attention to the conductor. The conductor asked, “Would you like a moment to tune?” The bass player replied with some surprise, “Why? Isn’t it the same as last year?”
FAMOUS QUOTES
“I was a crazy young man who let himself be blinded by his passions and obeyed only the impulses of the moment.”
Gustav Mahler
MUSICAL TERM
Modes – Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
* Birthday of Joseph Bodin de Boismortier 1689
* Birthday of Friedrich Schenker 1942
* Premiere of Borodin’s Symphony No 1 in E flat major in Russia 1868
* Premiere of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in Vienna 1806
* Premiere of Mozart’s Piano Concerto K482 in Vienna 1785
* Premiere of Humperdinck’s Hansel und Gretel in Germany with Strauss conducting 1893
EMAIL ME: [email protected]
Do email me your comments and/or suggestions and forthcoming events.
PM Classics on CYBC Channel 2
Classical music every Monday to Friday with English, Greek and Turkish announcements.
91.1 FM Nicosia ** 96.5 FM Paphos ** 94.2 FM Larnaca** 92.4 FM Paralimni
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Investing in culture
The Pharos Trust
T. 22663871
www.thepharostrust.org
