Christmas baking/cooking is underway... I'm tapping away at this while I'm waiting for the sweet potatoes to finish cooking so that I can mash them for casserole. And I've finished up these shortbread cookies. On Friday night I attended the Symphony Nova Scotia performance of Handel's Messiah, something that I and my sisters try to make it to every year because it's just amazing. Also, since my brother-in-law and various acquaintances sing in the choir, it's the supportive thing to do. I thought that it was particularly excellent this year, though they had a counter tenor singing the alto solo parts and I wasn't a big fan of that. Not that he wasn't really good, with excellent expression, but to be honest counter tenors always weird me out a little with their abnormally high voices. One time, years ago, one was singing the soprano solos and that was even more uncanny. Nevertheless, the entire production was, as I said, just great... the 'Amens' at the end were I think the best arrangement I've heard of them. Of course, the real show stopper is the Hallelujah Chorus, for which everyone traditionally stands, which may or may not be because of King George II. And, if it was, it may have been because he was so moved by the music that he stood and- out of respect- everyone else did, too. Or it could have been because the chorus occurs late in Part II and ol' George needed to stretch his legs. Either way, it's now the accepted practice. The piece is wonderful, though... I've sung it before with a massed choir and it's just as exciting to sing as it is to listen to... more so, actually. I think my favourite part of it- both singing and listening- is when the choir gets quiet to sing "The kingdom of this world is become..." and then swells to glorious volume for "the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ," It gets me every time, right in the heart. Also when the trumpets and timpani come in, and... well heck, I just love the entire thing. It's now Christmas Eve, and it's going to be a busy day: church in the morning, family lunch, then the Christmas Eve service at 5 pm. Traditionally my brother and his wife host a Christmas Eve drop in, but have bowed out this year, because it's a Sunday and so busy, and because my sister-in-law's family are visiting. Secretly I was a little relieved; although it's always a good time, it's always late when we get out of there, and I still need to pack gifts, food, and clothes and head down to my parents' place to spend the night and a couple of days. So I'm logging off and starting Christmas celebrations. I hope that you too, are spending the day commemorating the Saviour's birth with people you love; Happy Christmas, everyone!
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About MeI'm a lover of good books, classic movies, and well-written shows (as well as some pretty cheesy ones, to be completely honest). Categories
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