We celebrate the birthday of the larger than life composer. Ludwig van Beethoven today. It was my late Aunt Barbara who introduced me to classical music and her love of everything Beethoven. It was after some time that I heard his music and recognized it for what it was: beautiful, sensitive, witty, dramatic, evocative, heartbreaking and deeply, deeply human.
All of the stories that mythologize him are sort of beside the point, which is that Beethoven makes us feel because he felt. Seeking out ways to communicate better with each other, sharing thoughts and feeling with people and having those thoughts and feelings reflected right back to you- that's what being human is all about. Some of us just manage to communicate and keep communicating, for centuries after we're gone. The December, I invite you to listen to Beethoven with fresh ears. Think of this as the In Three Words...or comment if you love his music...or not comment and just listen. But enjoy!
We present this from the great Philadelphia Orchestra under conductor Eugene Ormandy.
I was tied up with Daddy Warbucks who was in town for his Christmas visit before he visits his family, and then heads back to England. We had a swell time and went to Delaware to the Winterthur Mansion for their Yuletide Tour and Tea. The mansion and grounds is always beautiful, but really comes to life at the holidays. The weather could have been better, but no problems. Thank you all for such kind comments over the weekend, I see you enjoyed the Candy Shop wish list....... and glad to hear some of you enjoy the old traditions like myself. Things you have said, are things I have been thinking myself. While Christmas is still a fun and sparkling holiday, I too wonder what it will be like for the children growing up now. Even though from Sunday's Silly Symphony is, well, silly, you never see them rerun anywhere. There still very fun to see. But the kids these days will never be entertained by such simple cartoons. I too can remember when the little towns would put up Christmas decorations, almost every house on a street would be decorated, and the stores would always amaze me and take my breath away. It was a magical experience to go shopping then. Store décor tends to be a bore now in most, if they even do anything. Our store is located in a mall, and the lines to see Santa are no where near as long as they once were. Do kids still believe in Santa??? Luckily in my fair hamlets here, they still decorate the towns, we even have Santa passing out candy canes, and Doylestown even sets up a Santa cottage for the kiddies to go see him. And in New Hope, the New Hope/Ivyland Train still runs, decked out with the Claus' passing at candy, and they serve hot chocolate to all for the 20 min train ride. The station there is so adorable.
I guess that's why I try to hold no to so many traditions. When there gone, they may never come back.
Rest in peace Zsa Zsa Gabor
Feb 06, 1917 - Dec 18, 2016
I'm in a nostalgic mood today, can you tell? What's your
thoughts?
And now boys and girls.... a beautiful rendition of the First Noel performed by the fabulous Philadelphia Orchestra with Eugene Ormandy conducting.
