Recent posts

#1

The Diner / Re: What are you currently rea...

Last post by Florestan - Today at 03:04:11 AM

Appreciated, gents. Good to know that others have trodden the path before me. Walked the long, circuitous journey. Explored the fulsome, undulating road. Travelled the extensive, meandering byways. Essayed the ongoing, upward climb.

*sounds of creaking rope*

When I started Swann I was delighted but my initial enthusiasm dwindled every ten pages or so until it vanished completely and I never finished it. I don't even remember where I left off and I have no intention to start the whole damn stuff over again to find out. 

#2

The Diner / Re: What are you currently rea...

Last post by foxandpeng - Today at 02:56:27 AM

Appreciated, gents. Good to know that others have trodden the path before me. Walked the long, circuitous journey. Explored the fulsome, undulating road. Travelled the extensive, meandering byways. Essayed the ongoing, upward climb.

*sounds of creaking rope*

#3

The Diner / Re: What are you currently rea...

Last post by Florestan - Today at 02:53:34 AM

Is there mention here of the curious development of subsequent events, whereby a predominantly Mongol-Tatar formation began to encroach on the role of the new Rome?

There is a special chapter devoted to the legends created and spread following the Fall of Constantinople and the death (most probably KIA) of Constantine XI Palaiologos Dragasses, last Emperor of the Romans. It mentions some Russian tales but accords them no special treatment. Constantin died childless and unmarried, and by the end of the 15th century the colateral male line of the Palaiologi, his brothers and nephews, was documentedly extinct.

Unrelatedly, it's interesting to note some curious coincidences. The First Rome was founded by Romulus and fell during the reign of Romulus Augustulus. The Second Rome (Constantinople) was founded by Constantine, son of Helena and fell during the reign of Constantine, son of Helena. Make of that what you will.   

#4

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: Your favourite Tchaikovsky...

Last post by 71 dB - Today at 02:44:57 AM

I listened to the first symphony on Spotify (Jurowski). This is not a particularly mind-blowing symphony, but Tchaikovski knew how to compose Adagio cantabiles.

I received several pop CDs today, so Tchaikovski has to wait, but work in progress... 

#5

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...

Last post by prémont - Today at 02:40:51 AM

Another disastrous consequence of Brexit! 

We are told that opinions of Brexit in GB are changing, so maybe the way in foreseeable time can be paved for a BRENTRY?

#6

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...

Last post by Florestan - Today at 02:33:00 AM

Mellifluous, calm, nerve-soothing music.

#7

The Diner / Re: What are you currently rea...

Last post by SimonNZ - Today at 02:26:47 AM

That being said you really must read Swann's Way because it contains THE key to the roman fleuve, the most important incident in a way. I won't tell you what it is, you'll find out in The Sweet Cheat Gone.

Wait...what? Could you PM me which bit in Albertine Gone (I love that you give it the older title) you're thinking of?

I kind of think the most important incident is an observation almost thrown away,  blink and you'll miss it , near the start of the last volume (re: two paths).

#8

The Diner / Re: What are you currently rea...

Last post by AnotherSpin - Today at 01:55:09 AM

Is there mention here of the curious development of subsequent events, whereby a predominantly Mongol-Tatar formation began to encroach on the role of the new Rome?

#9

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: What are you listening 2 n...

Last post by vandermolen - Today at 01:46:10 AM

The BBC in radio and television is becoming a stranger in the Netherlands. After enjoying the Proms ever year, the Brits decided that it was time to take the channel away that broadcast the proms. That's BREXIT for you.  

Another disastrous consequence of Brexit! 

#10

General Classical Music Discussion / Re: Your favourite Tchaikovsky...

Last post by Jo498 - Today at 01:25:14 AM

Except for the last movement of the Pathetique, I can't find any instance of suicidal depression in Tchaikovsky's music. Emotional turbulence aplenty, melancholy (mostly of the dark type) in spades --- but suicidal depression is an exaggeration. Did you ever feel like killing yourself after listening to Tchaikovsky?     

No, of course it is a bit of an exaggeration although I think there are very dark melancholic passage also in the 5th symphony, the 4th has that bipolar contrasts (a bipolar person does not have to be suicidal but oscillates between hyperactivity and depressive brooding), the 3rd quartet and the trio, which were also tributes to deceased friends.