Topic: THE WEST SIDE STORY STORY (Read 8921 times)

bk · « **on:** December 19, 2021, 12:19:00 AM »

Well, you've read the notes, the notes told the West Side Story story, and now it is time for you to post until the West Side cows come home.

bk · « **Reply #1 on:** December 19, 2021, 12:19:31 AM »

And the word of the day is: CONGENIAL!

George · « **Reply #2 on:** December 19, 2021, 12:32:25 AM »

Thanks for the WSS review, BK. I definitely want to see it.

George · « **Reply #3 on:** December 19, 2021, 12:37:23 AM »

And now, I'm off to bed. I need to get up earlier than I really want (for a Sunday, at least), and make sure that I get to the performing arts center in time.

Have a good day, all!

TCB · « **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2021, 12:42:51 AM »

BK, I realize this isn’t Wednesday, but I hope you take the time to address the issue, sooner, rather than later. I have not yet received my copy of your newest book. I am sure that this was not intentional, but my friend, Micheal, has checked every day for it. I hope you can solve this before I am forced to contact Amazon. Especially since I didn’t buy it on Amazon.

TCB · « **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2021, 12:49:30 AM »

Here is something we might discuss today. The TV commercials for the touring company of MY FAIR LADY describe the show as the most perfect musical of all time.

Hmm, I am not sure I agree with that pronouncement. What musical would you call the most “perfect musical of all time?

bk · « **Reply #6 on:** December 19, 2021, 02:37:31 AM »

TCB, are you serious? All books were sent out as soon as we got them, last April. UPDATE: It was shipped with all the others. Tracking says the label was created but isn't in the system - which means the book is probably sitting in some post office somewhere behind some desk or cabinet. We'll get one out to you again.

bk · « **Reply #7 on:** December 19, 2021, 02:38:21 AM »

I mean, I'm assuming you're talking about Some Days Are Murder.

singdaw · « **Reply #8 on:** December 19, 2021, 03:25:47 AM »

Good morning, friends.

singdaw · « **Reply #9 on:** December 19, 2021, 03:27:19 AM »

Sorry I was so errant and truant yesterday. It was a packed day, filled with a work shift and also with an unexpected trip to Urgent Care. But all is well - or will be, fairly quickly.

singdaw · « **Reply #10 on:** December 19, 2021, 03:28:39 AM »

This morning is a big Lessons & Carols service at the church where I work. Big. We're talking choirs, bell choirs, and an orchestra.

singdaw · « **Reply #11 on:** December 19, 2021, 03:29:20 AM »

Going off to read bk's Notes now.

singdaw · « **Reply #12 on:** December 19, 2021, 03:45:25 AM »

Cool - thanks, bk, for summarizing your thoughts about West Side Story. Compelling reading.

Laura · « **Reply #13 on:** December 19, 2021, 04:42:57 AM »

Good morning.

elmore3003 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 19, 2021, 04:55:57 AM »

Good morning, all!

elmore3003 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 19, 2021, 04:56:59 AM »

Again, I slept well until some time around 3:00. Ir's amazing how three cats can take so much bed space.

elmore3003 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 19, 2021, 05:04:21 AM »

Yes, one and all, Mrs Palmer, DR Ginny's mother-in-law, was something else. I adored her, but she was strong-willed, bossy, opinionated, and suffered no fools. I can just see her apoplexy after that Messiah.

I personally find countertenors an acquired taste, because most of them aren't that good. For Messiah, and most baroque music, I prefer a good contralto-mezzo-soprano. I suppose the most famous countertenor role in 20th century music is Oberon in Britten's opera A Midsummer Night's Dream, and I do not mind the sound there sionce it's part of his musical palette for the fairies.

elmore3003 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 19, 2021, 05:07:57 AM »

My preference is for the infamous PDQ Bach's bargaincountertenor.

TCB · « **Reply #18 on:** December 19, 2021, 05:13:11 AM »

Quote from: bk on December 19, 2021, 02:38:21 AM

I mean, I'm assuming you're talking about Some Days Are Murder.

BK, calm down! It was a joke, although apparently not a funny one. I was talking about the new book you are starting on January first. Sorry. Blame it on the drugs and my weird sense of humor.

elmore3003 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 19, 2021, 05:13:21 AM »

DR JohnG, thanks for the Sydney Opera House link. I liked the orchestra size and speedy tempi, the conductor and chorus, the soprano - who sings the original, more difficult version of "Rejoice Greatly" - tenor, and bass. I thought the countertenor was often unintelligible, and I missed the "heft" from a woman's voice. Countertenors remind me of those delciate Susuki-method violinists with their dainty sound as opposed to those od violinists from Toscanini's day with the strong bowing.

Laura · « **Reply #20 on:** December 19, 2021, 05:13:30 AM »

Quote from: elmore3003 on December 19, 2021, 05:04:21 AM

I personally find countertenors an acquired taste, because most of them aren't that good. For Messiah, and most baroque music, I prefer a good contralto-mezzo-soprano. I suppose the most famous countertenor role in 20th century music is Oberon in Britten's opera A Midsummer Night's Dream, and I do not mind the sound there sionce it's part of his musical palette for the fairies.

We had spaghetti three times at our house last week.

(A Charlie Brown reference)

elmore3003 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 19, 2021, 05:25:57 AM »

BTW, the original 1742 performance of Messiah in Dublin used an alto, Susannah Cibber, who was an established stahe actress, and no countertenor. All performances after that until Händel's death in 1759, used various combinations of soloists including countertenors and sometimes more than four soloists, and Händel revised the score to adjust. Only one recording exists that offers every variant written for the work, and that is McGegan's, using six soloists including my late friend William Parker:

elmore3003 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 19, 2021, 05:26:58 AM »

Quote from: Laura on December 19, 2021, 05:13:30 AM

Quote from: elmore3003 on December 19, 2021, 05:04:21 AM

I personally find countertenors an acquired taste, because most of them aren't that good. For Messiah, and most baroque music, I prefer a good contralto-mezzo-soprano. I suppose the most famous countertenor role in 20th century music is Oberon in Britten's opera A Midsummer Night's Dream, and I do not mind the sound there sionce it's part of his musical palette for the fairies.

We had spaghetti three times at our house last week.

(A Charlie Brown reference)

LOL!❤️

Laura · « **Reply #23 on:** December 19, 2021, 05:29:00 AM »

Quote from: TCB on December 19, 2021, 12:49:30 AM

What musical would you call the most “perfect musical of all time?

This is a great topic.

Laura · « **Reply #24 on:** December 19, 2021, 05:29:32 AM »

(I'm glad you got it, Elmore.)

elmore3003 · « **Reply #25 on:** December 19, 2021, 05:36:05 AM »

This morning I am listening to the Christmas secrion of Messiah, conducted by Harry Christophers and his group The Sixteen, but my favorite recording remains Sir Colin Davis' 1965 recording, which was the first to make an attempt to remove Messiah from its 19th century pomp and heaviness. I think the soloists are superb, and he catches the right balance between letting the music dance when it needs and the austerity and heaviness required when the story moves there. And for the budget-minded, it's nopw a two-fer!

elmore3003 · « **Reply #26 on:** December 19, 2021, 05:37:01 AM »

Quote from: Laura on December 19, 2021, 05:29:32 AM

(I'm glad you got it, Elmore.)

I am a huge Charlie Brown fan.

John G. · « **Reply #27 on:** December 19, 2021, 05:55:43 AM »

Good morning, all.

John G. · « **Reply #28 on:** December 19, 2021, 05:58:33 AM »

I have that Phillips recording. That and A soulful Messiah.

John G. · « **Reply #29 on:** December 19, 2021, 06:03:05 AM »

Not an entirely successful night of sleep with the new machine.

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Author Topic: THE WEST SIDE STORY STORY (Read 8921 times)