Tuesday, January 13, 2009

In a Dark Place (2006)

A modern version of Henry James's Turn of the Screw

Evil Seed - Joanne Harris

Her first novel, written when she was 23 and recently published.

I guess it shows a bit, but you can see the elements of darkness and sensuality which she develops later.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Concert in Stamford

Yesterday we discovered that as part of Stamford Arts Centre's Classical music programme, there was a performance of Brahms, Robert and Clara Schumann's work. Performers were Ronan O'Hara (piano), Graham Oppenheimer (viola) and Julia Riley (mezzo soprano)

I was particularly taken by the songs - two were by Brahms - Op 91 Gestillte Sehnsucht, and Geistliches Wiegenlied. The second one uses the melody from the 14th century carol 'Joseph lieber, Joseph mein' as a recurrent theme.

Then there were six short but magical songs with music by Clara Schumann.

Apart from these Ronan O'Hara played Fantasy for solo piano by Robert Schumann, and the programme finished with Brahms Sonata in E flat for viola and piano.

Good to hear viola as a solo (?) intstrument.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Eva Luna - Isabel Allende

A strange story - hope to come back with more later - again. Procrastination is what?

Friday, January 2, 2009

What's Cooking?

Thoroughly enjoyed the light-hearted approach to some serious problems in this film by Gurinder Chadha - caught on New Year's Day. hadn't realised she was responsible for Paris. je t'aime as well.