Enough to make you weep – or not (part two)

After all the fun of the racetrack, unintentional, I am determined to get back to the main thrust of my blog 26, things that are always there but for some reason bring tears to the eye or make the HOTBOTNB. (I told you last time work it out!!!)

To make my life less complicated I’ll split the topic in two.

HOTetc no tears.

I’ve had a few occasions when this phenomenon has occurred, both with and without. A couple of incidents relate to music without, and couple with, and an amazing one without.

Regular readers (all three of you – thank you for your support , but get more please!) will know we had a cruise earlier this year which was during the autumn months when the scenery was either at it’s best or just passing over.

The main reason for going to Norway is to get a horrendous rate of exchange for your hard earned pound, only to be ripped off for the basics in life, like terry’s chocolate orange. On a previous visit we compared the costs of the item purchased in England against a similar product (same name label etc – I’m just being careful). Result: England 1(pound) Norway 6 (pound – based on exchange rate off boat)

But guess what, we found another reason to visit Norway – the Fjords. This part of the country has so much to offer in terms of mountainous scenery it’s criminal. The beauty of this craggy outlook is breath taking. The most picturesque was one of the fjords we were driven down. Looking out of the coach window inhibited the view, but when we dismounted, I was gobsmacked by how calm the waters were giving the surface a mirror like quality, reflecting the image of the mountain sides without a shimmer to warp the picture – hair moment.

Even more spectacular (my opinion) was my very first view of the Norwegian coastline when the cruise was sailing along a fjord to dock. It was about 6.00ish in the morning, I’d been awake for a while and decided to check the seaweed for the weather of the day. On with the dressing gown (I’ve heard all about those Scandinavian movies) reach up and opened the curtain. The mountain side seemed on top of us but the sheer beauty of the snow covered outcrops and tops was truly majestic and with the grey/black snow covered rock – what can I say – it certainly qualifies as a HOT moment as well as a TYBA moment. The closest way of describing the view – watch the opening credits to ‘Where Eagles Dare’ very similar tones.

There are three pieces of music that have HOT moments for me and that are all classical music (I am currently listening to Wild Thing by the Troggs – broad spectrum of musical appreciation.)

The piece in third position is ‘Fanfare to the common man’. Aaron Copeland. An American composer of some major repute, with a style that sounds very current although written mid last century. I’ve heard that he was related to a member of Police – not sure of his first name. probably among my peers the version of this piece arranged and played by EL&P (Emerson, Lake and Palmer). The original piece lasted approximately 4 minutes while the ELP version is in excess of 8 minutes. You pays your money… My favourite version is played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, clear tones precision playing - COOL.

I find it curious that although I’m a child of the sixties (listening to Small Faces – Tin soldier - lead singer Stevie Marriot- brilliant voice and presentation) there are a few well recognised classical tracks that not only have individual appeal, but are recognised as having a universal appeal (lazy Sunday playing) and I think this is definitely in this category.

The no.1 and no.2 are so close but I think you’ll agree with my choice – if you don’t tough my blog my choice, but write and tell me.

No.2 Pachelbel’s Canon & Fugue – this is truly a beautiful piece of music and never fails to lift the HOT side of the argument, and if the circumstances are right an occasional tear. The strings in this wonderful piece are spectacular – a listening must. That said I’ve listened to a number of well recognised top quality orchestras giving their interpretation and to my mind fail. My opinion for what it’s worth try Herbert Von Karavan (play on words can ‘t spell his name) conducting the Berlin Philharmonic – brilliant.

No.1 this piece ius so well known and is part of a series of pieces called after a German decoding machine (not really plonker).

This piece is beyond description – it hits all bases for me – TYBA – HOT – HOT with tears.

It is of course Elgar’s Nimrod from the Enigma Variations. Talking of variations if I don’t sort out the ‘record’ collection (yeah vinyl – see previous blog) and make my armchair habitable get rid of the sweet papers, crumbs of last night’s dinner and supper, all of which has to be done today (plus finish cleaning the oven pre-Christmas ritual) I won’t be able to do that job with Phillip, which he has to start tomorrow.