Beethoven's Waldstein

I heard Beethoven's "Waldstein" on the radio this morning (performed by a pianist whose name I didn't recognize and don't remember), and the tempo of the first movement was 138!!!
I can barely think it that fast!

There are parts where that tempo seems just right and there are other places where I would love a bit more time to savor the moment.  I wonder how slow a tempo would be considered appropriate.  It's time I so a more exhaustive search for performances/recordings of this piece and make comparisons.

This is a work I would dearly love to learn.  I already enjoy working on sections of it.  I don't know if I'm able to "master" it, but I believe I am capable of a lovely rendering none-the-less!

The Sound of Silence

Silence.
One to four times a year I go on retreat, sometimes a preached or directed one, but usually a good portion of each retreat is spent in silence.  For me that is the best form of retreat; to give my ears a respite from all the world's cacophony, especially from media, from all conversation, and even from music is firstly a kind of spiritual cleansing, and eventually a nourishing haven for deeper prayer.
I thank God for sound, and I thank God for silence!

Sway

Sway, sung by Dean Martin

"Sway" is the English version of "¿Quién será?", a 1953 mambo instrumental song by Mexican composers Luis Demetrio and Pablo Beltrán Ruiz. The most famous English version is that of Dean Martin recorded in 1954. English lyrics are by Norman Gimbel. Since then the song has been recorded and remixed by many artists.

(The above quote is from Wikipedia.)

Because I like this song so much, and not "just" all the details that make it unique, but especially the rhythmic genre, this particular tempo, and the playfully sophisticated emotional tone, I searched out more songs that had anything in common w/ "Sway" and discovered that it's the mambo genre I like so much.  Who knew I would like Latin dance genres so much?  Now I do!  Add Mambo to my list of Latin Faves with Basso Nova and Tango!

Desolation Therapy

"Post Apocalyptic Electronic Wasteland" on Google Play Music suits me right now.  It's described as "Find solace in desolation with this pensive mix of understated melodies and shuffling rhythms."  First song up is "4D" by Koreless.  It sounds like electronic/ambient sounds mixed w/ Indian-influenced chant-style vocals.  If I were any less morose, it might be annoying, but since I am very, very discouraged, it feels right, it feels like truth, like an objective thing that reflects my experience, like the way a bleak rock-face might keep me company.

However, it "suits me" so well I might not be able to take much more than 3 such selections!

Keeping company with my own desolation is a bit like intentionally hitting my toe with a hammer so I feel other pains a little less acutely.  It's effective, but soon thereafter I want some ice for my toe!

So, now for some "mellow cello"...

If We're Honest

"If We're Honest" by Francesca Battistelli (video w/ lyrics) on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lDcTvtuuVU8
https://youtu.be/lDcTvtuuVU8

I love this song, everything about it, especially the meaning of the words, but also how Battistelli set it to music, and how she sings it.  Plus, the harmonies are beautiful and I like how and when she breaks into vocal harmonies.

Although I don't think we could use this during liturgy, I think it would make a marvelous prelude.

Side note:  For some reason I couldn't get the link info to be embedded in the title.  Thus the formatting you see at the beginning of this post. 

Favorite Classical Radio Stations

I usually don't listen to radio in the morning but when I do it's usually to WOSU or WYSO because they usually play calm classical music with no words, excellent accompaniment for doing work or reading.

From Songza to Google

Now that Google Play bought out Songza, I've been listening to Google Play more.  My preferred playlists and "stations" were transferred into Google's database, and they offer suggestions like Songza did, only not as robustly or with as many interesting-ly nuanced varieties.