4 Brass Ensembles, 16 Timpani, a Full Orchestra and Choir...Can It Get Any Better Than This?

I've been listening to music all day again getting ready for tomorrow's Music History/Appreciation class.  We're beginning the Romantic Era so I've gotten to listen to some of my favorite composers.  Of course, you can't study the Romantic composers without including Hector Berlioz.

 And, my absolute favorite Berlioz piece is his Requiem.  It is an incredible piece of music and the part that has all the stuff I mentioned in the title is the Tuba mirum section of the Dies irae.  Here's a link to one video of it on youtube.  Not as good as listening to the recording I have  but you get the idea of the sheer power of this composition.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2iMbTHPrc8   This recording (which is part 2) starts just at the Tuba mirum section but if you like it, try to find part one, which has the beginning parts of the Dies irae.

We're also listening to some Liszt, Schubert, and Chopin.  Perfect joy.  :)  Thank you God for giving people the ability to write such beautiful music and thank you for giving us ears to hear it.

Souvenirs From the Beach

The beach was lovely, the company awesome, the food incredible, the movies fun, the time...way too short.  I blinked and our lovely YaYa time away was over.  Guess I'll have to remember it by the souvenirs I have of projects finished and skills gained.  :)

Souvenir 1

Al's quilt, all washed and comfy, laying on the couch, waiting for a nap.

Souvenir 2

 

Lovely spun yarn just waiting to be plied and knit into something warm and cozy.

Souvenir 3

 

A watercolor study that I don't instantly want to rip up and throw in the garbage.  

For some reason (like maybe my brain was working for a change) the book on watercolor flowers I am studying right now has just the right combination of information and stuff that it's clicking in my brain.  Maybe I can learn watercolor and not suck at it so much!     

Souvenir 4 and 5

  

lovely henna tattoos and drawings

Souvenir 6--priceless memories of time spent with my best friends.