We had a snowstorm the other day, and it was a rather wooly trip to work; none of the side streets had been plowed, though we delayed opening until 10am. They're cleared now- though not all of the sidewalks- and we're expecting more snow tomorrow. So all in all, last night was a good evening to curl up on the couch with coffee, cut out the pieces for a stuffed animal I'm sewing, and listen to music on my record player. I don't as of yet have an extensive LP collection, but I occasionally add to it on trips to the thrift store... and I got a new one this Christmas from one of my sisters. It's my favourite Christmas album: Andrew Peterson's Behold The Lamb Of God. I of course own a CD of it (buy physical media, everyone!) as well as have it on my phone but there's just something very satisfying about listening to records. While technically a Christmas album, you can really enjoy the songs on it year round- as I was doing last night on my little Victrola: Andrew Peterson, for those who don't know, is a Christian singer/songwriter and author. He has a number of really great albums and, if you've never listened to his music, you should really give it a try. Also, the notifications you get when you order from The Rabbit Room (his website) are great: Here's the titular song from the album:
Comments
My new niece arrived near dawn yesterday morning during a snowstorm- ten days after her due date, at a hefty 9 lb 6 oz. How cute is this kid? The current count stands at 16 nephews and 14 nieces so the boys are still in the lead, but not by much. On Sunday afternoon I was holding her one year old cousin who was getting a bit sleepy post-lunch, and sang a few different lullabies to her as she snuggled on my shoulder, one of them being Simple Gifts. Simple Gifts is a song which dates back to around 1848, when it was composed by a Shaker: Elder Joseph Brackett. The Shakers, for those not in the know, were a religious sect which originated in England but soon made its way to the States where they founded numerous communities. The Shakers were an offshoot of the Quakers, only with a much more ah, frenetic worship style. Due to this they were often referred to as the "Shaking Quakers" or just "Shakers". Like the Quakers, they were pacifists; unlike the Quakers, they believed that everyone must remain celibate. Which probably explains why there are still Quakers about, but no Shakers... universal celibacy seems unlikely to result in cultural longevity. But they did make nice furniture. In any case, Brackett wrote the song, apparently intending it to be used as a "quick dance": the various turns in the verse are dance instructions, to bring the participants back "round right". Given their commitment to celibacy, one would think the Shakers would share the Baptist suspicion of social dancing, but apparently not. Brackett's dance tune and lyrics might have disappeared with the Shakers if American composer Aaron Copland hadn't come across it and decided to use it as the basis for a score he was writing for a ballet entitled Appalachian Spring (performed in 1944). Of course, Joseph Brackett had actually written the song in Maine, but there were Shaker communities in the Appalachians- specifically near Holy Mount- which no doubt also used Simple Gifts. Copland's score got glowing reviews and he later reused the song in a 1950 collection of his arrangements entitled Old American Songs. After this, Simple Gifts became quite well known to the general public. Here's a version of it by Alison Krauss: Having sung Simple Gifts for so long as a lullaby, it's hard for me to think of it as a dance tune, until I remember that folksong writer Sydney Carter wrote Lord Of The Dance based on its melody in 1963, and that's certainly a lively dance tune... just ask Michael Flatley. Here's one of my favourite versions of it, by the Ennis Sisters: And, just for fun, here's an arrangement of the two songs put together: Related Posts:One of the gifts I got for Christmas was a ticket to Anne Of Green Gables: The Ballet. Something to look forward to in April. I've seen Anne Of Green Gables: The Musical a couple of times while visiting PEI, but never the ballet... it should be a good time; two of my sisters also have tickets. I'd had Anne Of Green Gables read to me at a young age- and eventually read it and its sequels myself. My first experience of the musical was, however, in grade four when I joined choir. In the spring concert we performed a bit of the play (the slate breaking scene) and sang one of the songs from it: Anne of Green Gables (never change). I auditioned for the part of Anne, who sang a solo as well as got to smash a slate over Gilbert's head. The field was narrowed down to me and one other girl, but she got the part because, as our music teacher explained pragmatically, she was a natural red head and wouldn't need a wig (which we didn't have). It was a bitter moment but I had to acknowledge the practicality of this decision, especially since she sang the part at least as well as I and, admittedly, was a dead ringer for every depiction of Anne I'd seen up to that time. So I was one of the six back up singers/school kids which was no doubt a better fit for me; I'm always more comfortable singing (alto) in a group than by myself. Here's a trailer for the musical: It is not, to be sure, even close to being one of my favourite musicals but really it's the nostalgia factor which makes me enjoy it whenever I see it. And it does have a very catchy song about ice cream: Related Posts: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! Related Posts: On Saturday night, I attended the homeschool co-op recital night which some of my nephews were taking part in, which was great- many songs and poetry recitations, as well as a skit written and performed by the children. I also purchased some of their craft wares which the kids make and sell to raise money to outfit the co-op's workshop... last year they earned enough to purchase a scroll saw. They're actually getting quite a respectable shop (in one of the homeschool families' garages); I cleaned & oiled two used sewing machines to donate to them, and they now have a variety of power tools as well. My purchases: a coaster made of a wood round, cut by one of the kids and wood burned by another, a braided leather key chain, and a Christmas card (this one made by one of my nephews). On Sunday morning after church, I headed down to my parents' place for Sunday dinner followed by gingerbread house making with various nephews and nieces; here are the results: Then on Sunday night, I attended a campfire/carol sing which was a lot of fun... songs accompanied by guitar and violin, kids roasting marshmallows and making s'mores, and hot apple cider to warm up our insides. I have a lot of things left to do before Christmas and not much time; tonight after work I and two of my sisters are going shopping with our parents so that Dad can have assistance buying a present for Mum, and so that she can get her shopping done without him around (he's a terrible shopper). And then on Friday night I'm going to a performance of Handel's Messiah so will be out as well. So I should have been baking and sewing up a storm last night, but found myself plopping down on the couch, drinking coffee, and listening to carols by candle and tree light. Though I did do some sewing later on... also laundry which, like the poor, is always with us. One of the carols I was listening to:
|
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
All
Archives
January 2024
Fun SitesOdds & Ends |